Leah maintained a tight grip on Leo's hand when her curious eyes wandered around the bustling place.
The bright lights flashed at the center. Loud music played in the background. Bodies collided on the dance floor. At the corner, the bartender served fancy drinks.
The crowded atmosphere made her feel uncomfortable, but Leah still had excitement pumping through her veins.
The dependency Leah showed made Leo's heart swell up in pride.
His wife was truly adorable.
She resembled a little rabbit trying to understand her surroundings.
Leo walked slowly, keeping up with his wife's pace as they made their way to the second floor, entering the VIP room Edward Gu reserved next.
Inside the room was a handsome young man sitting. While in his hand swirled a glass of wine, he flirted smoothly with the woman lying in his arms.
When Leo stepped in, Edward raised his head. Surprise flashed through his eyes for a second when he spotted Leah.
He playfully commented, "It seems that your taste has changed, Young Master Leo. Since when have you started to play with an innocent white rabbit?"
Edward's friend, Richard Xie, noticed Leah and teasingly stated, "She is cute, but Leo, the rumors against you are terrible enough. A scandal with a minor will put you straight into jail."
Leo's eyes darkened.
He understood how big of a bastards these two were and didn't want their eyes on Leah. He stepped forward, covering Leah, and said, "This is Leah, my wife."
Edward took a sip out of the wine.
"Rumors had it that you hated your countryside wife to the point you abused her. They seem to be false it seems."
Richard added, "Hey, if I had such an adorable wife, I would change my mind as well. She—"
A sharp, piercing glint crossed through Leo's eyes, and Richard immediately quietened down instinctively.
Although this Young Master had hit rock bottom, his presence only became more frightening.
In his previous life, Leah and Richard had some friendship going between them. Although Leo had no clue how their circles intertwined, Leah had significant trust in Richard. Richard too complied along with Leah's wishes.
On the other hand, even until his death, he didn't earn Leah's trust.
If it weren't for his accident, Leah might have ended up with Richard.
Simply the thought of that made his heart burn with possessiveness and jealousy.
Even if he decided to give Leah freedom and happiness in this life, he was inherently selfish. No way would he let go of her.
Even if she wished to run away from him.
Leah noticed the tense atmosphere in the room and Leo's upset mood. Her soft voice came out, "Hello."
Before Richard could reply, Leo helped her sit down on the couch, pressing his hands on her shoulder.
Then, he stated, "Leah, ignore them. They are filthy. Stay seated here. I will get someone to bring you snacks."
Both Edward and Richard was dumbfounded by Leo's attitude. As they were being slandered, they exchanged glances.
If they were filthy, what was Leo then?
Wasn't he worse than them?
Then, Leo reached out to take out his phone from the pocket and handed it over to Leah.
"In case you're bored, you can play games here."
Thinking how Leah would enjoy playing games, he downloaded a few on his phones.
Leah nodded, taking the phone from his hand. After that, she curiously went through the games on his phone.
Once he settled down Leah, he sat down beside her.
The corner of Edward's lips twitched. "Can't tell if you're pampering your wife or raising a daughter."
Leo stared at him in boredom.
His eyes then fell on the women flirting with the men, and he thought this would corrupt Leah.
"Aren't we here to discuss official business?" Leo questioned, eyeing the women.
Edward understood the signal and told the women to leave the room.
Richard, on the other hand, spoke out, "Can't believe you have become more reserved after getting married. Aren't you used to having two women on your laps everytime you visit a club?"
Leah's eyes instantly shot towards Leo.
Leo didn't want to take a rough path of misunderstandings from his previous life and immediately explained, "What bullshit! I never touched a woman. Dear, believe me. I am completely pure."
Although he ended up in tabloid with a lot of women, he had no interest in them. Half of them were paid by his uncle to ruin his reputation, and others were the rumors the media took initiative to make up for publicity.
The only thrill Leo enjoyed was alcohol and extreme sports.
He had no interest in any other women before or after Leah.
That's the only thing he was proud of from his past life.
As Leah silently kept on staring at him, Leo desperately added, "It's true. Even though I visited nightclubs often, I just drank and played cards. Everyone can testify. You can't trust everything on the tabloids. They are photoshopped lies."
Leah smiled. Dimples indented her cheek, making her seem adorable in Leo's eyes.
"I believe you," Leah answered, holding unreserved trust in Leo.
After that, Leah went on to play games, and Leo glared intensely at Richard.
He almost tainted his image in Leah's eyes.
Richard didn't know what expression to made, looking at Leo grovelling so hard in front of his wife.
Was he possessed?
Edward cleared his throat and stated, "Let's discuss business. What great offer do you have for us?"
At the mention of it, Leo assumed a solemn appearance and began to discuss about the new project. The atmosphere in the room turned serious.
In the background stayed the constant noise from Leah playing games.
Although Edward didn't let it show on his face, he was impressed. Even though this Young Master was down and out, relying on his abilities seemed to be enough for him to regain his previous glory.
"Do you want to come over to work in my company? I will give you the position of a director," offered Edward.
Although the public opinions against Leo was strong, Edward didn't care about it. Also, the truth can always be investigated and exposed to the outside world.
No matter how much he disliked Leo, Edward had no doubt in his character.
Leo nonchantly turned him down. "I will start my own company."
"You have enough funds?" Richard questioned.
"I invested in a couple of stocks. They should make money in a few weeks," Leo stated.
"Look at you being so confident. Why don't you recommend me some? All the business ventures I invest in flops. My dad might kick me out of the family register at this rate," Richard complained.
A sharp glint crossed through Leo's eyes.
"Sure," he answered, "but it can't be for free."