Chapter 9 Handsome Husband

Jessica quickly nodded, masking her panic with a forced look of relief. Good… he's letting us go, she told herself, lips twitching with a strained smile. He may have canceled the deal for now, but as long as Isabella was in his hands, Jessica knew she'd find a way to weasel her benefit back in. She always did. That girl is soft... I can still control her. One way or another, we'll get the money.

Meanwhile, Leonardo turned to Isabella with a sharp glance that made the air still around them.

"Follow," he said curtly, his deep voice echoing through the hall.

Isabella blinked up at him, startled. Her big brown eyes widened slightly when his deadly gray ones locked with hers—unblinking, cold, and full of silent demand.

She nodded quickly, her lips slightly parted as her heart began to thud again. Without another word, he turned and began walking down the grand hall with his long, confident strides.

Isabella tried to follow.

She really did.

But her short legs struggled to keep up. Her white heels tapped nervously across the marble as she hurried, the layers of her wedding dress weighing her down. She tried to match his pace, but he was already several steps ahead, his tall frame moving like a panther...calm, powerful, fast.

Her breath caught as she stumbled slightly, nearly tripping on the hem of her dress.

Leonardo paused. He didn't even turn around at first, but she could feel it, the spike of impatience rolling off him like a wave. His shoulders stiffened slightly, and then he finally glanced back.

His eyes narrowed.

She was... so small. Her steps were quick but barely covered any ground. How does someone even move that slow? he thought, watching her huff quietly in the effort to catch up.

The corner of his jaw ticked.

Without a word, he turned on his heel and walked back toward her. Isabella blinked, confused, just as—

"W-Wait—!"

Before she could finish, he suddenly grabbed her by the waist and lifted her up in one swift motion then threw her over his shoulder.

Gasps echoed from a few corners of the hall.

Even Jay whistled under his breath with an amused grin. "Now that's one way to carry a bride," he muttered.

"Wha—Hey!" Isabella squeaked, kicking her legs slightly in shock. Her hands instinctively clutched the back of Leonardo's suit, her face pressed against his back.

"Stop moving," he muttered coolly, not even slowing down as he resumed walking like nothing unusual was happening.

Her cheeks burned red. Her legs dangled helplessly, her dress wrinkling under his grip. She peeked out to see half the mafia crowd watching her with everything from amusement to confusion.

But Leonardo Expression unreadable. Eyes forward. His grip firm like she was just another thing he needed to handle.

She had no choice but to stay still as he carried her out of the hall like some quiet, blushing bunny stuffed into the arms of a cold-hearted wolf.

Outside the hall, a beautiful black car waited by the steps—sleek, expensive, and shining like a mirror. In the evening light, it looked smooth and powerful, with dark windows and shiny metal edges. It seemed like something from a movie....fast, fancy, and out of reach. The kind of car that hums softly but feels like it could fly at any moment.

Leonardo walked down the steps without a word, Isabella still tossed over his shoulder like a feather-light doll. The moment he reached the car, a suited driver quickly opened the door, lowering his head respectfully.

Without hesitation, Leonardo shifted her in his arms and placed her into the backseat with careful efficiency like setting down a delicate item, not a bride. The leather was cold and buttery smooth against her legs as she sank into the seat, her skirt still slightly puffed from the earlier chaos.

She blinked up at him in confusion, her heart racing… but Leonardo didn't look at her.

He slid into the car beside her, moving with that same quiet grace, his long legs crossing casually, his posture effortless yet commanding.

One arm rested along the back of the seat behind her, his other hand already lifting a sleek black tablet from his inner coat pocket. The moment the car door closed behind him, sealing them in silence, his attention shifted entirely to the glowing screen.

No words.

No glance.

No reaction.

His sharp jawline, the relaxed arch of his brow, the subtle tension in his fingers as they worked across the screen, he looked like a statue carved from cold fire. Handsome. Intimidating. Far too busy to acknowledge the girl beside him.

Isabella, meanwhile, sat frozen for a moment, still unsure what to do or say. Her heart beat in her ears, but slowly, her eyes drifted to the interior of the car.

And her innocent curiosity kicked in.

So… pretty…

She glanced around, awe blooming quietly in her gaze. The interior was lined with soft black leather, stitched with fine silver thread. There were tiny golden buttons, a glowing interface between the seats, and even a tiny ceiling light that shimmered like stars above them. Everything smelled like rich leather and faint cologne...clean, expensive, and powerful.

She'd never been in a car like this. Not even close.

Her fingers lightly brushed the door controls, eyes wide with wonder as she admired the neat buttons and touchscreen panel. For a moment, she forgot the cold man beside her. She was too busy marveling at the lights, the luxury, the smoothness of the seats beneath her fingers.

Leonardo didn't notice or pretended not to.

He kept tapping on his tablet, eyes narrowed, completely silent.

But in the corner of his vision, he could see her small hand reaching out with cautious wonder.

Her gaze slowly shifted from the glowing interior lights to the man beside her—the man she had just married. Her new husband.

She had been expecting someone else. An older man. Someone like her uncle—gruff, sweaty, dangerous in the worst way. She had imagined yellow teeth, heavy cologne, maybe even a cruel laugh.

But instead…

Her eyes quietly widened, and a soft sparkle appeared in them without her realizing.

He's… so handsome.