Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

"Max, has Bella undergone any noticeable changes recently?" Pearl inquired, sitting on his lap and gently stroking Max's handsome face with a soft and alluring voice.

Max held Pearl tightly around the waist. Since they were in Max's private office, Pearl didn't need to maintain the seriousness she usually did in front of the leadership, allowing her to be more comfortable around Max.

After contemplating for a moment, Max admitted that Bella had indeed started to push back against his opinions since his wife started working. However, he dismissed it as insignificant.

"There's nothing particularly different, aside from some changes in her style. She's still the same. Why do you ask?" Max inquired, believing that Bella was handling everything well, as she had never neglected cooking and cleaning for the sake of her job.

Pearl, however, felt uneasy about Bella's changes. "Do you think Bella might have discovered our relationship? I'm worried."

Max laughed, "Impossible. Even if she changes, she can't become smarter. Just relax. Don't interact with her too much at the company, and she won't suspect anything."

Although Pearl felt somewhat reassured by Max's assurance, a lingering sense of unease remained.

"If that's the case, good. I don't want things to take a turn for the worse, Max. Don't worry too much about me; spend more time with Bella. I'm used to living in loneliness," Pearl said, wiping away a tear, appearing vulnerable.

Max confidently responded, "Why are you so sentimental? We've come this far, and there's no turning back. Bella's life is too convenient for us to bother about her."

The two of them had planned this scheme since their university days. Bella was the perfect pawn and a plump target for their manipulation. There was no turning back now, nor did they want to.

"Are you sad? Regardless, you've tried your best," Diana consoled Bella when she returned, assuming Bella was upset. The selected person had already been announced to the entire company.

People in the company were not surprised by the outcome. Bella was just a new employee, but her designs had impressed everyone, earning her praise.

Bella looked up at Diana and smiled, "I'm not sad. Even though I wasn't chosen, I gave it my all, and I'm proud of that."

Diana, impressed by Bella's positivity and enthusiasm, decided to treat her and the team to coffee to boost morale.

While chatting happily with colleagues in the employee lounge, Bella received a message from Max.

[You should apologize to Pearl. She's upset about your actions and words. Aren't you close friends? Also, I've arranged for you to meet Levi's cousin tonight. I'll take you to meet her.] Reading the message, Bella sneered and glanced at her colleagues. They were consoling her, assuming she was sad about not being chosen, but her husband hadn't asked her about it, only instructing her to apologize to Pearl.

"You want me to apologize to her? Dream on," Bella whispered, her eyes cold as she read Max's message. She couldn't comprehend how they saw her as a fool.

Not bothering to reply to the message, Bella continued to enjoy the gathering with her colleagues.

After dealing with Pearl, Max sat on the bed, furrowing his brow as he stared at his phone. Pearl emerged from the bathroom, wrapping a towel around herself, and hugged Max from behind, asking, "What are you so engrossed in on your phone?"

Max quickly put away his phone and kissed Pearl on the lips, saying, "Nothing at all."

Pearl stood in front of Max, changing without any hesitation as if this were a familiar routine between the two. While changing, Pearl suddenly recalled a conversation with Max, "Max, do you remember you mentioned buying a piece of land in the suburbs? Have you met the owner of that land?"

"Do you know who the owner is?" Max responded with a laugh, and Pearl shook her head slightly. Max stood up, finished changing, and said, "I didn't expect the owner to be Levi. I thought it would be easy to buy the land back, but it's not that simple. Levi wants Bella to be the model for his sister's designs."

"Bella as a model for Levi's sister's designs?" Pearl couldn't believe her ears; it was the most absurd thing she had ever heard.

Max shrugged, pretending not to care, "I don't know, but that's what Levi wants. He said if Bella agrees, he'll reconsider selling the land to me."

Pearl felt uncomfortable and a clear sense of jealousy towards Bella arose in her, even though this matter had nothing to do with her.

"Tonight, I'll take Bella to meet that designer. I'm not sure, but Levi's cousin is a fairly famous designer," Max said, his focus solely on the suburban land Levi was holding.

Feeling Max's lack of interest, Pearl assumed he also believed Bella was suitable to be a model. "Do you really think she can be a model? It's truly laughable. I can't believe Levi's cousin saw potential in Bella and suggested her as a model."

"Why can't Bella be a model?" Max, feeling irritated by her obvious jealousy, disliked women who were bitter and envious of others. "You're not allowed to speak of Bella like that. Anyway, she's my wife. At least, for now."

Pearl watched Max leave even more angry. Max was angry with her because of a chess piece. Pearl clenched her hands to try to suppress her anger. Later, when the plan was successful, she would no longer need to suppress her anger nor would she have to lower herself in front of Bella.

In the evening, Bella and Max arrived at the meeting point. The atmosphere between them was tense throughout the journey.

"Why didn't you reply to my messages or answer my calls?" Max, focused on the road, asked with annoyance.

Bella gazed outside at the bustling night city, a gentle breeze brushing her face but failing to ease her mood. She couldn't understand why Max kept bringing up this issue.

"I have my own job now, not as free as before to sit around waiting for your messages about non-work-related matters," Bella explained, wanting her husband to understand the boundaries between work and personal matters.

Max tightened his grip on the steering wheel, dissatisfied with Bella's response. "Job? Don't use work as an excuse for your indifference."

Bella sighed softly. "Max, I'm wondering if I'm your wife or if Pearl is your wife."

Max was taken aback by Bella's question. "Of course, you're my wife. Why would you ask such a thing?"

Bella smiled, "Really? I thought you were Pearl's husband. All day, you've been so concerned about her, and you haven't even asked how I feel about not being the chosen one. Why?"

Max felt guilty and quickly tried to console her, forgetting his own anger. "I do care about you; it's just... never mind, don't be sad anymore. After meeting the designer, let's go to the restaurant you like for dinner."

Though still upset, Bella nodded. She didn't want to argue further to avoid any more discomfort.

The meeting took place at Levi's cousin's private residence, not surprising given the late hour. Lisa, the designer, introduced herself with enthusiasm, presenting her designs to Bella.

Not being a fashion enthusiast, Bella couldn't offer much insight into the designs. "I don't know, but my husband mentioned that you want me to be a model for your designs. Are you sure about that?"

Lisa nodded, "Not only that, I want you to be the exclusive model for my designs for the next three years. Of course, I'll compensate you generously. I'll send you the details by email."

Bella went from one surprise to another, still not understanding how Lisa could determine her suitability after only meeting once.