Chapter 29: Taking Orders from a Woman for the First Time

Dominic, on the other end of the call, sounded irritated. "Get lost," he snapped. "If you can't speak properly, don't speak at all. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

Leonard quickly changed his tone, complaining, "I've been stuck in this backwater place for a month, barely scraping by for this project. Where's your humanity? Finish up and come over soon; don't forget the plans." Before he could finish, the call ended. It was unclear whether Dominic had even listened.

Just then, Bella emerged with a plate of food. "Dinner's ready," she said. "Help me bring out the rest of the dishes."

Tables and chairs were set up in the yard; the weather was perfect—not too hot, not too cold. Eating outside in the gentle night breeze felt rare and peaceful.

Leonard, with his usual lazy stride, went into the kitchen to help. It was the first time anyone had ordered him around, and it was a woman, no less.

During dinner, Leonard suggested, "You should avoid the hospital for now. Take a break from work."

Bella looked puzzled. "Why? Didn't we already handle it?"

She wouldn't get paid if she didn't work, and without that money, how could she repay Dominic?

Leonard gave her a strange look. "Do you really think it's over? Do you even know what 'scoundrel' means? If you go back to work like nothing happened, they'll be waiting. You can test that if you don't believe me."

That made sense. The "toy guns" might have only scared them off temporarily; those thugs wouldn't give up easily.

Bella sighed and stuffed a large spoonful of rice into her mouth. "Let them do what they want. I don't have any money. All I have is my life"

Leonard's lips twitched. "You really are all about the money, huh? Besides, how much do they pay you at that hospital? Never mind. Since you're my tenant, I'll take care of it. Just stay home and rest for a couple of days. You can manage that, right?"

Bella wanted to say she didn't want to burden him, but remembering how he'd handled the thugs, she felt he could manage it. "Then, thanks, I guess?"

Leonard playfully slapped the table. "Say it with confidence!"

The next morning, Simon, having somehow heard about Bella's trouble, called early.

"Bella, are you okay?" he asked. "I heard someone gave you trouble Honestly, that place isn't right for you. Why don't you come to Holha with me? Even if you don't want to be around me, at least don't punish yourself by staying there. Life could be so much better." Bella, still half-asleep, mumbled, "Who is this Simon?"

Simon was taken aback. "Yes, it's me"

Before he could say anything else, Bella hung up. If she'd been fully awake and seen the caller ID, she wouldn't have answered.

After more sleep, she woke around noon. She went to the yard to check her plants and found Leonard gone. She didn't think much of it.

Just as she was about to prepare food, she noticed a shadow near the gate. She grabbed a wooden stick, feeling wary. "Who's there?"

The person bolted as soon as he heard her.

Bella cautiously approached and saw a limping man hobbling away. Despite his limp, he moved surprisingly fast, his gait comical.

He ran too quickly for Bella to get a good look. She then saw her stolen wallet by the gate. The missing cash had been replaced.

Could Leonard have handled this? And could that man have been the one Leonard had beaten up?

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