“No buts! You’re coming to see me right now,” she interrupted firmly. “I’ll be waiting. And don’t think about sending someone else; I want to see you, my son.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll be there,” Leo sighed, running a hand through his hair, already feeling the pressure of family expectations. 
“Good. And bring me something nice, will you? A little gift would be a good start for your return to the family fold,” she added with a hint of mischief in her voice.
“Sure, I’ll find something,” Leo replied, though he was already dreading the conversation that awaited him. He knew his mother would expect nothing less than his full attention, and today, he wasn't sure he had the emotional energy to face her questions about his life and choices.
As he hung up the phone, Leo glanced at Marco, who had been waiting by the door. “I have to head to the mansion. Mom’s back from her trip, and she’s in a mood.”
“Good luck with that,” Marco said with a smirk. “You know she won’t let you off easy, Boss.”
“Yeah, I know,” Leo replied, rolling his eyes. “But I can handle her. It’s the rest of the family I’m worried about.” 
“Just don’t let them get to you, Leo. You’re the boss of your own life,” Marco reminded him. 
Leo nodded, though uncertainty gnawed at him. 
He knew he had to confront the realities of his life, both in the criminal world and in his family, and the balance between them was becoming harder to maintain.
 As he left the secret meeting area, the weight of his dual existence loomed large, and he steeled himself for the encounter with his mother that awaited him.
“Marco, I need you to handle things with Mina while I’m at the mansion,” Leo instructed, his voice steady as he prepared to leave.
“Sure thing, boss,” Marco replied, his demeanor serious. “I’ll keep everything in check. Just don’t take too long. You know how your family can get.”
Leo nodded, appreciating the support. He left the office, the familiar tension tightening in his chest as he approached the Salvator mansion. The sprawling estate was a symbol of power and legacy, but it also represented the weight of family expectations he felt so acutely.
Upon arriving, Leo stepped out of the car and made his way up the grand steps, the heavy wooden doors opening to reveal the opulence inside. The aroma of expensive perfumes mixed with the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. He could hear his mother’s laughter echoing from the sitting room, but it didn’t bring him comfort.
As he entered, his gaze swept across the room, and then it froze. There, standing beside his mother, was his uncle—one of the most feared men in the family, known for his ruthless dealings and unwavering loyalty to the Salvator name. The man’s presence shifted the atmosphere in the room, and Leo felt an immediate wave of tension wash over him.
“Leo!” his mother called out, beaming with joy. “You made it! Come here!”
But Leo’s attention was fixed on his uncle, whose eyes were narrowed, assessing him with a predatory gaze. The last time they’d been in the same room, tensions had flared over a business disagreement that had nearly escalated into something worse.
“Nice to see you, Leo,” his uncle said with a cold smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“Likewise,” Leo replied, keeping his tone neutral.
As the two men locked eyes, the unspoken tension thickened the air. Leo could feel his heart race, knowing this meeting might lead to revelations he wasn’t prepared for. His mother, oblivious to the charged atmosphere, continued to chat about her travels, but Leo’s focus was on the confrontation brewing with his uncle.
*
Leo gave his mother a set of diamond jewelry that he had initially intended to give to Mina. She examined the jewelry with a skeptical look, her eyes narrowing. “Why is it so modest? The diamonds are so small. You know this isn’t my style,” she chided.
Leo offered a faint smile, trying to mask a hint of irritation. “Sorry, Ma, I thought it would suit you,” he replied, maintaining a calm expression.
She inspected the jewelry again, her gaze narrowing as if searching for signs that Leo was only joking. “Leo, you know my tastes are higher than this. Small diamonds like these? If you’re going to give me a gift, at least make it worthy of my status.”
Leo held his breath for a moment, reminding himself it wasn’t the time for an argument. The jewelry was something he had chosen with Mina in mind—simple yet elegant, fitting her character. Now, seeing his mother’s reaction, he realized giving her the jewelry might have been a mistake.
“Yes, Ma. I’ll get you something more suitable next time,” he replied, keeping his tone polite.
She crossed her arms, giving him a slight, dismissive smile as she turned the jewelry set over in her hand. “You really haven’t changed, Leo. Still making impulsive decisions.”
Meanwhile, his uncle, Rudolf, observed the exchange with a slight smirk, seemingly enjoying the tension. Leo took a quiet breath, realizing this visit might be more complicated than he had anticipated.
Alicia, Leo's mother, studied him with a curious yet skeptical gaze. “How’s Mia, Leo? I still find it odd that there wasn’t a single mention of her in the press. Mia Sato, daughter of Asia’s biggest real estate mogul? The media would have had a field day with that.”
Leo met her gaze calmly, his posture steady. “I didn’t invite the press for a reason, Mom. It was a private gathering—only close colleagues and trusted friends. Everyone there understood the importance of keeping things discreet.”
Alicia raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Discreet? This is Mia Sato we’re talking about, Leo. She’s practically a celebrity by default. Are you really comfortable keeping her so... hidden?”
Leo shrugged, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Mia doesn’t need that kind of attention. All I want is for her to feel comfortable, without everyone prying into her life. That’s more important to me right now.”
Alicia’s lips curved into a knowing smirk. “Comfortable, you say? That’s noble of you, Leo, but you know as well as I do that privacy is a luxury in your line of work. And, more importantly, in hers.”