Chapter Forty-Four

Chapter Forty-Four

Upon hearing Bella's words, Pearl became so enraged that she trembled, wish could give Bella a painful slap.

"What does she think she is to confront me like that? Going on long trips, huh? Ha! It's only because Max pities her that he suggested such a thing, yet she acts like it's a source of happiness to confront me. We'll see about that." Pearl resolved to ensure that Bella couldn't have a proper trip with her husband because Max would definitely come to Pearl's place then.

Like before, on their third wedding anniversary, Max didn't care and came to his wife. So after this project is successful and completed, Max will be by her side. Pearl was secretly pleased, she was sure she understood Max more than Bella.

With these thoughts, Pearl's mood improved. She smoothed her hair and reapplied some powder and lipstick in the restroom. Looking at herself in the mirror, Pearl smiled contentedly, convinced that she surpassed Bella in many ways. She was more beautiful, pure, seductive, and knew how to make men love her.

Bella might be beautiful and wealthy, but she still couldn't compare to her because the one who isn't loved is the one who fails. Pearl stepped out leisurely, though she was currently at work, she was just entering her office. Even if Pearl arrived late, no one dared to criticize her because of her position as the director's secretary.

The construction project on that plot of land had been proceeding smoothly and was scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. Everything was going quite well and quickly, which made Max feel excited; he felt like he was reaching the pinnacle of his career.

After this, the higher-ups would have to look at him differently. No one will look down on him anymore and no one will dare to say that the power he holds is thanks to his father-in-law.

"Max... do you want to go there to check on the project's progress?" Pearl stood beside the report, but noticed that Max wasn't listening to her.

Max shook his head. He had surveyed the project's progress with the senior leadership team a few days ago, so there was no need to go today.

"No need, and when we're at the company, you should call me Mr. Cooper instead of addressing me so informally. It's not appropriate. Our positions are different, you should know your place." Max sighed, rumors in the company were thickening about their relationship; didn't Pearl notice, or was she pretending not to?

The smile froze on Pearl's lips, she looked at Max in surprise and disbelief.

"Why all of a sudden...?"

"Haven't you heard the rumors in the company? If they reach Bella's ears, what will happen? You're knowledgeable and perceptive, surely you know this basic principle?" Max said irritably, increasingly finding Pearl annoying. She was nothing like his wife Bella, who, despite being the daughter of the company's founder and the wife of the CEO, wanted to rise from the position of an employee.

Pearl wanted to retort but didn't know what to say now. Her mood had been good just a while ago, but now it was terrible because of Max's words.

"I... I've always addressed you like that, and you've never been bothered before. Did I do something wrong?" Despite being extremely angry inside, Pearl appeared pitifully weak in front of Max. She didn't understand why he would say such things; weren't they happy together last night?

At this moment, Max wasn't in the mood for meaningless conversation with Pearl. He sighed and said, "Just do as I say. We should keep a distance at the company. I don't want Bella to see and misunderstand. Even if she doesn't misunderstand, sooner or later, rumors about us will make her suspicious."

This wasn't just Max being capricious; the rumors about the relationship between the CEO Cooper and his secretary Pearl were spreading ambiguously. With the extent of this spread, Max couldn't control it. If Bella suspected, he could handle it, but if this reached his father-in-law's ears, it wouldn't be easy to resolve.

But Pearl couldn't comprehend it deeply. She couldn't believe that Max could be so cold to her. What made her even more furious was that Max also warned her not to call him late at night when he was at home. All because he was afraid Bella might suspect. Since when did Max care so much about Bella's suspicions and hurt Pearl without a second thought?

"It's just a way of addressing, do you really have to be so overreacting about it? Are you mad at me for calling you while you were at home with Bella? Max, the more I see, the more I feel you're overdoing it," Pearl concluded, placing the documents on the table and storming out of the room.

Max, watching her silhouette depart, sighed in exasperation. Pearl's increasingly erratic behavior and lack of understanding were becoming unbearable for him. Reflecting on it, Max realized that Bella might indeed be the better choice for his career path, the woman deserving to build a family with him.

"Darn it! What am I even thinking?" Max muttered to himself, questioning his own thoughts.

Pearl thought that Max would comfort her like before, but this time he didn't make a move. In the past Pearl always showed understanding, so she almost never got angry at Max. That's why Max loved and pampered her very much. Whatever she wanted, he would buy it even if it was expensive, no matter how expensive it is.

"Is he really not going to pacify me? Bella has changed, and now Max is the same. I can't let Bella surpass me, nor can I let Max abandon me," Pearl clenched her fists in frustration. Perhaps she had grown impatient waiting in the shadows for too long.

In the office, Bella worked diligently, prompting her colleagues resting in the break room to marvel at her dedication.

"Why does Bella work so hard? It's good to be diligent, but isn't she pushing herself too far? She's doing twice the amount of work we do, and she's only been here for over half a year," a male colleague remarked.

"It's not because Diana assigns more tasks to Bella; it's because Bella wants to progress quickly and complete her work ahead of schedule," another female employee chimed in.

"What's the rush for?"

Bella knew that many were starting to be curious about her. She kept her background hidden, and nobody knew that the company's CEO, Max Cooper, was her husband. They were intrigued by the peculiar relationship between Bella and his secretary, Pearl.

Lauriel approached Bella's desk, tapping lightly on it and whispering, "Bella, there's a package waiting for confirmation at the front entrance. Go and collect it quickly."

"My package? I don't remember ordering anything. Are you sure, Lauriel?" Bella looked at Lauriel puzzled.

Lauriel had previously with department manager Diana talked with customers in the company's main lobby, so by accident, a delivery staff came to ask if the recipient was an employee there.

Lauriel nodded. "Yes, I saw your name on the card attached to the bouquet. Bella... you're keeping your lover secret so well; it surprises me."

"My lover? Me... what?" Bella was bewildered, not understanding what was happening. She quickly told Lauriel, "They must have delivered it to the wrong person. Let me confirm."

With that, Bella pretended to remain calm as she stepped into the elevator to the lobby. She felt uneasy and confused about who had sent her the package and why it was flowers?

Bella thinks it's definitely not Max because right now most people in the company don't know that Max is her husband. And she understands her husband very well. He will not give her flowers because he is happy about a successful project or wants to heal and warm up the relationship between the two of them, not to mention his little lover who always follows him closely.

"Hello, are you Bella William?" The delivery person held a large bouquet of red roses in one hand and a box in the other.

Bella eyed the items suspiciously but couldn't deny her identity as the delivery person had correctly identified her.

"It's me, but is there some mistake? I didn't order these," Bella hesitated to accept the delivery because she was sure she did not order those items.

The delivery person proactively placed the items in Bella's hands, making her unable to help but accept them. He hurriedly said "I'm only instructed to deliver to you. Please read the letter inside. I must go now."

Seeing Bella's bewildered eyes and not understanding what was going on, the delivery man quickly left even though she called him back, he didn't come back. Bella held a bouquet of flowers and an item in her hand. She couldn't go back to the office right now because that would attract everyone's attention. It was still during working hours, so there weren't many people in front of the company. Bella looked around to make sure there was no one, then she breathed a sigh of relief.