Chapter 21 - Chapter 21 : Bella

Here's the revised and clear version of the text with updated names and preserved details:

The middle-aged man wanted to chase after Leo with an angry face, but his speed couldn't match Leo's. Leo jumped into a nearby yard, intending to escape from the other side. Upon landing, he was startled to see a familiar face—Marcus.

Marcus also noticed Leo, and the two stared at each other, both tense and wary.

Outside the house, the middle-aged man's loud, angry voice rang out.

"Open the door, now!"

Just as Leo prepared to flee, Marcus grabbed his arm.

"You've brought trouble here?" Marcus asked coldly. Leo nodded awkwardly, guilt evident on his face.

Before Marcus could express his frustration, a soft, gentle voice came from inside the house.

"Brother, is someone at the door?"

Leo turned to see a girl about his age stepping out cautiously. She had long black hair, wore a simple white dress, and had a serene beauty. However, her eyes were lifeless, making it evident that she couldn't see.

Marcus's hardened demeanor softened instantly. "Go back inside, Bella," he said gently. "I'll handle this."

Bella nodded, turning around and feeling her way back into the house. Marcus watched her retreat before turning to Leo with a grim expression. "Take your trouble and leave. Don't drag my family into this," he hissed.

Leo held up his hands defensively. "I didn't know this was your house! They were chasing me, so I just climbed the nearest wall to escape. Pure coincidence that I ended up here," he explained hurriedly.

Before Marcus could respond, the courtyard gate slammed open, and the middle-aged man stormed in, his eyes blazing with fury.

"This time, you're not escaping!" he roared, charging at Leo.

Marcus didn't hesitate. A layer of white fur appeared on his body, his hands transforming into sharp claws as he intercepted the attacker. Marcus slashed at the man's neck, but his protective shield absorbed the blow.

The middle-aged man smirked, confident in his shield's strength, but Marcus's next attack shattered the defense with ease. Gripping the man by the collar, Marcus growled, "Don't bring your nonsense here. Leave. Now."

The man's bravado evaporated as he realized who he was dealing with. "This…this is a misunderstanding!" he stammered. "I'll leave right away!" He fled, stumbling over himself as he scrambled out.

Marcus turned to Leo, his expression dark. "You better leave too."

Leo, however, plopped down on the ground, grinning despite the tension. "You're doing pretty well for yourself. A big house like this, but why let your sister live in such a remote place?"

"Get out before I lose my patience," Marcus snarled.

At that moment, Bella emerged again, her voice soft and curious. "Brother, who's here? Are they a friend of yours?"

Ignoring Marcus's glare, Leo replied with a disarming smile, "Yes, I'm a friend. My name is Leo."

Marcus's eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Bella's face lit up. "A friend? It's been so long since my brother brought someone home! Please, come inside."

Leo smirked at Marcus, who sighed in resignation and muttered, "Fine. But stay out of trouble."

Inside, the house was modestly furnished—beige wallpaper, a single table with four chairs, and a refrigerator. The air smelled faintly of orange toffee. Leo guessed the minimalist setup was to accommodate Bella's condition.

Bella's soft voice broke the silence. "My name's Bella. My brother doesn't have many friends over. Do you two have a good relationship?"

Leo chuckled, glancing at Marcus. "Oh, we get along great," he said, which made Bella smile even brighter.

Marcus grumbled and turned the conversation back to the issue at hand. "What's the deal with that man outside?"

Leo sighed and recounted the series of events that led to the chase. He explained how the woman had initially caused trouble for Mia, only to turn the story around and accuse him. "She brought all those people after me for no reason! It's so unfair."

Marcus snorted. "Your problem is you can't stay out of trouble."

Leo shrugged, smiling cheekily.

"Well, technically, Mia was the one who handled her. I just…supervised."

Here's the revised text again:

Leo gestured toward Bella.

"So, if someone came to bully Bella now, would you just stand by and do nothing?"

Marcus snorted at the question, locking eyes with Leo. "I wouldn't waste time beating them. I'd kill them outright."

Leo shrugged with a calm smile, not pushing the topic further.

Bella, who had been quietly sitting, stood up with a gentle smile. "I'm almost done preparing dinner. You should stay and eat with us."

She began feeling her way toward the kitchen. Watching her, Leo turned to Marcus with a puzzled expression.

"Bella does the cooking? Shouldn't you be the one doing it?"

His tone made it clear he thought it was odd, given Bella's condition.

Bella responded softly from the kitchen, "Even though I can't see, I've lived here long enough to manage basic tasks like cooking."

As Bella disappeared into the kitchen, Marcus moved to stand directly in front of Leo, his voice dropping to a low, serious tone.

"Don't tell anyone about what happened here. Especially don't let anyone know Bella is my sister."

His expression was tense, his eyes filled with warning.

Leo leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as a small smile spread across his face. "Relax. Bella's nothing like you. She seems kind and gentle. Why would I do anything that could hurt her?"

Marcus didn't respond, but his stern expression didn't soften as he glanced toward the kitchen, clearly still on edge.