“Strange old man?” Sophia felt that this sounded quite mysterious.
Leo smiled and replied, “Masters often stay hidden among the common people. I studied under him for three years, and today was the first time I used the skills he taught me. I didn’t expect his teachings to be so effective.”
Leo reached for a slice of apple from the fruit plate and handed it to Sophia, shifting the conversation, “Have an apple. Do you know who the real boss in the world of fruits is?”
“Who?” Sophia took the apple and Leo successfully diverted her attention.
“It’s the apple!”
“Why?”
“Think about it. The apple tempted Eve, inspired Newton, poisoned Snow White, dominated the world of smartphones, ruled the square dance scene, and took over Christmas Eve! How many girls were deceived into eating bananas under the guise of apples on Christmas Eve, and then ended up drinking milk!”
At the last line, Sophia’s face suddenly turned red. “You rascal!” Sophia playfully scolded while wearing a smile.
A bit of humor and sometimes a bit of cheekiness from a man can often win a woman’s heart.
After Leo and Sophia finished their meal, Abraham, the owner of Imperial Feast, personally escorted them out. There was no way he could accept payment from Leo, not now or ever. He had to let Leo walk away without paying.
Watching Leo leave, Scar reminded Abraham, “You got lucky today. If Mr. Bloomer’s wife wasn’t there, you’d be lucky to leave in one piece. In the future, use your brain. You can’t just offend anyone you want. And what happened today is better left buried in your stomach, or else you’ll have to rely on your luck,” Scar added.
Due to their long-standing friendship, Scar was giving Abraham some advice. If it were anyone else, Scar would probably have already used force.
Abraham nodded repeatedly. With nearly a decade of friendship between them, he knew Scar wouldn’t just be trying to scare him. He immediately deleted the idea of investigating Leo from his mind.
After Scar left, Abraham gathered all his employees and gave them one clear order: anyone who dared to talk about what happened today would find themselves disabled!
Leo and Sophia returned home to find Jessica lying on the living room sofa with a troubled expression, and Martin absentmindedly flipping through TV channels, occasionally changing them. On the coffee table in front of them were two half-eaten bowls of noodles.
Sophia couldn’t help but find the scene a bit amusing.
“Dad, I remember you know how to cook, right? Leo didn’t cook today, so you guys had this?” Sophia pointed at the cold noodles on the table and proceeded to clean up.
Leo took the bowls and went into the kitchen.
Jessica, with her gaze fixed on the ceiling, looked utterly dejected, while Martin, stealing a glance at his wife, sighed, “It’s all because of that 300, 000 dollars. Whenever your mother thinks about not getting it back, she feels regret and heartache.”
“Mom, just think of that money as a donation to impoverished areas. Be more relaxed about it,” Sophia comforted.
In the corner of her eye, Jessica saw Leo coming out of the kitchen again, and suddenly had an idea. She sat up straight and said to Leo, “Leo, now that you’re working, starting today, we won’t give you an allowance for living expenses. You’ll also be responsible for grocery shopping and household bills.”
Leo looked surprised by Jessica’s request. It seemed she intended to save money by reducing his living expenses after lending out the money.
“Mom!” Sophia exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief.
Leo, however, remained calm and replied, “Okay, Mom, I understand.”
Sophia couldn’t help but be stunned. Was this the same Leo who had been so domineering at Imperial Feast just last night? The contrast was striking!
However, Sophia quickly realized why Leo acted differently at home and outside. He endured these changes for her sake. A complex feeling welled up within her as she watched Leo head back into the kitchen.
This man had quietly been supporting the family for the past four years, starting from when she, her sister, and her parents had chosen to ignore many things.
The next morning, while Leo and Sophia were getting ready, they overheard Jessica arguing loudly on the phone in the living room, sounding as if she were in a heated argument.
It wasn’t until Leo and Sophia were done getting ready and came downstairs that Jessica angrily hung up the phone.
“What’s wrong, Mom? Who were you arguing with?” Sophia asked curiously.
Jessica wore an unhappy expression, “Who else could it be? It’s that crazy woman, your Aunt Monica!”
Sophia frowned, wondering what Monica had done this time. Had she decided that 300, 000 dollars wasn’t enough and wanted more?
“When she and her family were traveling back by train, their money was stolen on the train. They suspect we secretly sent someone to steal it. That insane woman, she’s driving me crazy!” Jessica was originally distraught about the money she had lent out, and now, it had been stolen, and she even suspected it was their doing. She couldn’t help but be furious.
Hearing this, Sophia finally understood why her mother was so angry early in the morning.
“Mom, do you think she might be saying this on purpose to avoid repaying the money?” Sophia speculated.
Jessica shook her head, “They’ve already reported it to the police. I saw the pictures she sent me of the police filing a report. I don’t think they would falsely accuse us.”
“Mom, since it’s their fault the money got lost, there’s no need to get upset about it. You know her personality, just let it go,” Sophia comforted.
She said this, but Jessica still felt uncomfortable keeping this anger bottled up. She went upstairs to vent her frustration to Martin.
After Leo came downstairs, Sophia informed him about the situation.
Leo remained calm and commented, “Those who court misfortune will find it, and those who make their own bed must lie in it. That strange family got into trouble. I guess it’s heaven’s way of punishing them.”
Sophia extended her right hand and shook Leo’s hand, teasing, “Comrade, we share the same thoughts.”
After breakfast, Leo drove Sophia to work.
After dropping Sophia off, Leo intended to go to his clinic.
The clinic was now under his name, and although Dr. Davy was currently assisting with consultations, he and Grace would be leaving for a trip soon.
However, as soon as the car left the underground parking lot of the Golden Leaf Shopping Plaza, Director-General Lynd called.