Chapter Twenty-Three

Pearl lowered her tearful eyes for a moment, remaining silent, then looked up at Max. She knew that by showing a bit of vulnerability, Max would be more sympathetic and gentle towards her, despite his evident anger. Tears were the most potent weapon for women in arguments, and Pearl knew Max well, employing this tactic often with great effectiveness.

"Max... I'm sorry. You've been exhausted, and I just made everything more complicated. I didn't mean to, I was just in a hurry to find out who was plotting against me. You understand, right? Everyone makes mistakes, and I'm only doing this because..." Pearl tightly clasped her hands together, bowing her head beside Max. He could clearly hear her sobbing, and as usual, no matter how angry he was, he couldn't resist Pearl's tears.

Max's anger diminished rapidly. He no longer wanted to blame Pearl; he just sighed and said, "Don't cry. If you acknowledge your mistake, I won't blame you anymore. I'll hire someone to investigate this for you. But during this time, don't speak ill or frame Bella until everything is clear."

Max didn't want his wife involved in this matter, and he certainly didn't want Bella falsely accused without evidence. Pearl listened and obediently nodded, but as soon as she left the office, her eyes became cunning and dangerous.

Pearl clenched her fists as she entered her private office, unable to accept Max defending his wife. Initially, Pearl only suspected Bella based on her words, but she never thought of interrogating or framing Bella. However, Max's reaction revealed that Pearl's place in his heart was not the only one.

Pearl bit her nails resentfully in her room, unable to let things go too far and unwilling to let Max resent her.

In the evening, Pearl knew Max would be working late due to his job. She decided to wait until all employees left the company. Pearl wore a tight, seductive red dress that revealed her shoulders and the length of the skirt was very short, just bending down a little would reveal the small pants inside, emphasizing her slender and fair legs.

"Max, are you still working?" Pearl stood in front of Max, but he was too focused on the computer screen to notice her. He absentmindedly replied, "I've finished my work. Just checking feedback for the new product released a few days ago. You should be happy, no one noticed the packaging issue."

"I know. Thanks to you for helping me clean up. Max, dear..." Pearl used a seductive tone, successfully grabbing Max's attention. As he looked up, her voluptuous and well-rounded breasts met his gaze, momentarily leaving Max stunned.

Pearl, unashamed, approached Max and sat on his lap. The sweet and enticing scent of her perfume enveloped Max, making him suddenly feel hot all over. Max's large, slightly rough hands gripped Pearl's slender waist; he knew she was up to something, but he enjoyed it.

Max didn't immediately embrace Pearl, even though he was visibly aroused. Pearl felt something erect poking her butt, she smiled smugly. She knew she could win Max over with tears, and he knew she often used this tactic to calm him down, which was highly effective.

But this time, Max didn't immediately embrace Pearl, despite his evident desire. Pearl laughed softly, testing his self-control.

"Why? Are you still angry with me? I've apologized... I love you, Max." Pearl spoke in a sultry and alluring voice, caressing Max's handsome face. The soft touch of her skin on his face made Max's blood boil. He glared at Pearl and then firmly tightened his grip on her waist, pulling her closer.

After suppressing his desire for a while, Max finally succumbed to the temptation. He quickly wanted to carry Pearl to the nearby bedroom, a room originally designated for documents and important materials but modified by Max for discreet encounters with his petite mistress.

Pearl, suddenly lifted by Max, was a bit surprised but pleased with his strength. However, she didn't want to proceed here. She caressed Max's firm chest and spoke softly.

"Didn't you say today that your wife would to meet Lisa, the designer, and you'd be home late? Would you like to come to my place? I'll take good care of you." Pearl whispered in Max's ear with a sweet and seductive voice, clearly extending an invitation.

Reminded by Pearl, Max recalled mentioning yesterday that he'd be home late, and Bella didn't prepare dinner. It was just a casual conversation yesterday, and today, he could enjoy his time with Pearl.

"Sure, honey." Max passionately kissed Pearl's lips, and Pearl hugged Max's arm as they headed to the underground parking lot. Since it was already dark, and only Max's and a few other cars were left in the parking lot for a long time, they didn't pay much attention. The two joyfully went to Pearl's home, and Max, not even stepping inside, ardently kissed Pearl as if they were long-lost lovers.

"Ummmm... you seem really eager... I'm not running away. Let's go to the bedroom!" Pearl knew that Max could no longer suppress his desires. With their intimate history, she understood him well. So, to stir up the atmosphere, Pearl deliberately touched Max's sensitive spot and whispered in his ear.

She gently licked Max's helix, wrapped her arms around his neck, and Max smirked before lifting Pearl to the bedroom, hastily removing their clothes. They were so caught up in the heat of the moment that they didn't bother closing the door, completely immersed in the heightening passion.

Meanwhile, Bella had quickly finished her work and arrived at the prearranged location as Lisa had messaged earlier. Bella had no doubts, as Lisa was renowned, and her designs were popular. Thus, Bella trusted her and accepted the exclusive modeling offer for three years.

Bella thought that becoming Lisa's exclusive model might enhance her own reputation. However, things weren't as simple as Bella had imagined when she arrived at the meeting point, a high-end apartment in area A.

"Lisa... I have arrived." Bella stood in front of the apartment door, but instead of knocking, she called Lisa, sensing that something was off but unsure where.

Bella entered using the password Lisa had provided. She couldn't fathom why Lisa wanted her here at this particular time, let alone at Lisa's private residence.

A maid quickly emerged, her expression icy as she looked at Bella without uttering a word before closing the door. Politely, Bella inquired, "Excuse me, where is fashion designer Lisa?"

The maid glanced at Bella, openly displaying an attitude of disdain and disgust. Only after Bella asked for the second time did the maid respond, "She's in the living room. And who are you, and what are you doing here?"

The disrespectful and contemptuous attitude of the maid made Bella uncomfortable. As an affluent heiress, people usually greeted her with deference or lowered themselves to converse with her. Yet, she was now facing open disdain, making Bella feel belittled and dismissed. This unexpected treatment felt like an electric shock, leaving Bella both irritated and agitated.

"What's with your attitude? Is this the attitude towards a guest of the owner of this place?"

As the loud noise outside caught Lisa's attention, she hurriedly went out and saw Bella approaching with a smile. "Oh! Bella, why are you late? I've been looking forward to your arrival."

Bella glanced at Lisa, then looked at the maid next to her. "You were looking forward to me, but it seems there's someone in this house who doesn't welcome a guest like me, huh?"

Upon hearing this, the maid's face turned pale. She looked at Bella, who seemed gentle and dressed in cheap office attire, thinking she was subordinate to the owner, hence the unexpected dislike. The maid quickly explained, assuming Bella was a subordinate of Lisa. "I... I thought she was your subordinate, so..."

"Whether I'm a guest or Lisa's subordinate, does that justify your attitude?" Bella interrupted.

Lisa, surprised that the seemingly gentle and submissive Bella was assertive, said, "Alright, don't mind her. I'll deal with her later."

Seated in the living room, Bella sighed. Just sitting down made her want to leave. Lisa asked, "What would you like to drink?"

"Tea, please. I don't usually have coffee in the evening," Bella replied.

As Lisa prepared the tea, she sarcastically commented, "I don't think Ms. Bella is such a petty person. What happened just now is that she's just a maid and you shouldn't do that. Yet you can still win or lose with her, you don't look like an adult."

Bella, remaining calm, took a sip of tea and smiled lightly. "Whether it's a maid or anyone else, whether it's you, Lisa, or your brother Levi, if they don't respect me, I don't need to be polite. If you think I'm a petty person, that's fine. But with such a maid in the house, it can be seen that the owner is not a hospitable person."

Lisa, realizing that Bella, despite her mild appearance, wouldn't back down easily, said, "Alright, don't pay attention to her. I'll deal with her later."

Feeling the uneasy atmosphere, Lisa quickly changed the topic. "About the contract, I've sent it to you via email for your review. Is there anything you find unsatisfactory?"

"It's quite good. I came here to sign it," Bella replied. "I also hope that there won't be any conflicts between us during our cooperation. Just now didn't feel right."

Lisa placed the contract on the table as Bella continued, "I hope in our collaboration, whether with you or your brother Levi, we won't have any unpleasant incidents. Just now was quite uncomfortable for me."

Lisa, trying to lighten the mood, laughed nervously. Despite her laughter, she had to lower herself to talk to Bella because of the financial aspect. "I'm really sorry. Can you overlook that? I don't want any unpleasantness between us."

Bella felt she shouldn't dwell on this issue further. "I have one more question."

Before Lisa could understand, Bella continued, "This isn't your house, is it, Lisa?"

Lisa, surprised, looked at Bella, but she quickly regained composure. "Bella, this is my house. Why would you ask something so strange?"

"I apologize for overstepping, but I noticed you seem very uneasy here. Your every move is cautious, and the maid earlier didn't seem like someone you hired to work, which is why she reacted negatively when I asked about your whereabouts." Bella spoke gently, uncertain if her words were accurate but still voicing her observations.

Lisa, after hearing this, burst into laughter, a laughter that baffled Bella. "What's so funny? If I'm wrong, just ignore my words."

Lisa, still laughing, said, "You're right. I didn't expect your observation skills to be so sharp and frightening. Now I understand why Levi is interested in you."

After signing the contract, instead of leaving immediately, Bella continued chatting with Lisa. Despite their initial unfavorable impressions, they now seemed like casual conversational friends.