Chapter Fifty-Eight

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Bella's father, James William, was also the founder of TanPhu company, a company that most of Bella's university friends mistakenly believed belonged to Max, whom they thought had founded it. However, they overlooked the fact that TanPhu company had been established for nearly forty years, while Max was only two years older than Bella.

But it was understandable why they misunderstood because after marrying Bella, Max was appointed by her father to be the director to manage one of TanPhu's subsidiaries. Although it was true that Max was currently managing the subsidiary, its establishment came ten years after the parent company.

Not to mention the other people's ignorance, but also because Bella wanted to save her husband's face, when Max said that TanPhu company was his, Bella did not speak up to correct her. Bella remained silent because she did not want to embarrass her husband, but she did not expect that her silence would cause so many people to misunderstand.

"Father... I miss you so much... truly, I do," Bella said, her voice choked with emotion. For a long time, she had neglected her father, focusing instead on undeserving individuals.

James chuckled heartily. "What's this? Seeking something from me again? You don't need to pretend to cry like that; just tell me what you want, and I'll make sure you get it." He was unaware of what his daughter was going through, assuming she was merely being affectionate.

Bella couldn't help but laugh at her father's teasing words, remembering how he always prepared her favorite snacks and milk tea whenever she visited his company, whether announced or sudden. Over the years, he never forgot what she liked to eat.

"I heard... you've started working. How long has it been since you started?" Mr. James asked, having previously encouraged Bella to work or continue her studies abroad, although he never forced her. He had more than enough money to support his daughter for life.

Bella smiled and replied, "Of course, I had to start working. I've been working for over six months now, at the subsidiary managed by Max."

James nodded gently. He believed that Bella and Max working together in the same company would bring them closer. Moreover, with Max as the director, the highest position in the subsidiary, Bella wouldn't be at a disadvantage.

However, Bella's next words surprised him. "I'm just a new employee, working in the Marketing department."

"What? You mean you're just a mere employee? If you want, you could be a department head or even an assistant director. Why settle for being an employee? What is Max up to? Doesn't he care about you?" Mr. James exclaimed, unable to fathom why his daughter, with the company being his, would settle for a low position.

Bella shook her head, gently explaining, "This has nothing to do with Max. The decision to work and the position I hold are my own choices. Furthermore, most people in the company don't even know I'm Max's wife. I think it's better to prove my abilities rather than relying on favors."

James was taken aback by Bella's words. Her mindset was indeed strange and surprising to him. He had prepared a good position for her in the company as soon as she graduated. However, she chose to marry Max right after graduation, wanting to devote all her time to him and their small family. Despite her father's warnings that she was too young to understand marriage and family life, Bella didn't listen. In the end, to ensure his daughter's well-being, he appointed Max as the CEO of TanThien, TanPhu's subsidiary.

They had not seen each other for a long time, so they had a lot to talk about. Bella also happily shared what life was like after work. It makes her happier, more experienced, and more sociable with colleagues, co-workers, and everyone around her who comes to her for herself, not because she is her father's daughter or she is Max's wife.

Mr. James nodded, feeling somewhat reassured by his daughter's words. He said, "Bella, I never thought you'd matured this much. I can rest easy now."

Hearing her father's words, Bella felt a twinge of remorse and sadness. For so long, she had chased after the wrong people, causing her father to worry and unrest, neglecting her own well-being and her relationship with her father.

Bella once thought she was mature enough to make all decisions on her own, including hastily marrying Max. She believed her decisions were right without heeding any advice from her father. Her father advised her to work and continue her studies, as it would be beneficial for her future, but Max suggested she stay at home and enjoy life while he provided for her.

After a cheerful conversation with her father, when he asked about her married life, Bella smiled and replied that everything was fine. She couldn't reveal the truth of what was happening, as she had decided to handle it herself.

Before leaving, Bella said to her father, "Dad... although I may regret not listening to you before, once I've made a decision, I won't turn back."

Mr. James nodded and said, "No one decides right the first time; if you choose wrong, choose again."

On the drive home, Bella softly murmured her father's words, "Choose again, choose wrong? Can I really choose again?"

Instead of going home, Bella went to the shopping center. Though she had shopped there many times before, this would likely be the first time she used her own money to shop. The feeling of spending money she had earned herself filled her with pride and confidence.

As Bella was selecting clothes, she unexpectedly encountered someone she didn't want to see.

"Bella, you should be at work at this hour. Why are you here?" Pearl spoke loudly, approaching Bella while wearing a provocative dress.

It wasn't that Bella didn't see her; sometimes Bella even saw Pearl before Pearl saw her. But Bella chose to ignore her, while Pearl took the initiative to approach.

Bella continued to comfortably shop, but this coincidence made her uneasy. "I took a day off because I felt healthy this morning. And you? Your job must be quite leisurely to come shopping here." Bella didn't look at her.

Bella's easy response left Pearl unsatisfied. Nevertheless, in Pearl's perception, Bella would always yield.

"You've only been working for half a year, and you're already shopping at such a luxurious store. The dress you're looking at probably costs three months' salary for you. I don't think you should buy it." Pearl said.

Ignoring Pearl's words, Bella called for an employee to help her get the dress she was looking at. It happened to be a dress she really liked.

Seeing this, Pearl smirked mockingly. "Bella, I think you should learn to spend a bit more wisely. Even though your husband, Max, makes a lot of money, as his wife, you shouldn't spend money so extravagantly and recklessly. A wife should know how to save for your husband."

Seeing Bella pay no attention to her, Pearl continued, "I'm not saying anything to offend you, but you've been married for three years. Think about it, for the past three years, you've been living off your husband. You haven't made any money or helped your husband in his career or in entertaining business partners. Besides being a wife, what else can you do for your husband? Living like you, I feel it's meaningless."

If Pearl hadn't said it, Bella wouldn't have known that Pearl thought she had been living off her husband for the past three years. But it wasn't entirely untrue. In three years of marriage, Bella hadn't had a job, so her finances depended on Max. While hearing Pearl describe her as a parasite was uncomfortable, Bella also accepted the reality.

However, being described as a parasite by the very person who betrayed her made Bella uncomfortable. "You're right. Because I felt my previous life was meaningless, I started working. Moreover, the things I'm buying today are all purchased with my own money. Even if I use my husband's money to shop, it's only natural. I'm Max's wife, I shouldn't spend his money?… Max is my husband, so it's only natural that he should spend money on me… shouldn't he spend money on you?”

Pearl's expression immediately darkened, never did she think she'd be so easily rebutted by Bella, to the point of being choked up like this. She forced a smile, "I didn't expect you to have such a sharp tongue, Bella."

Bella laughed, turning to look at Pearl, and gently said, "Oh no, Pearl. It's not that my tongue is sharp, I'm just speaking the truth. It seems you've forgotten that Max's position is obtained through marriage to me. If he hadn't married me, he might not have achieved his current position. So if it weren't for me, he wouldn't have such a successful career, nor would he be respected by everyone now. Moreover, the business partners working with Max are all people with close relationships with my father, introduced to Max by my father."

The more Bella spoke, the paler Pearl's face became, and Bella couldn't help but smirk inwardly. Perhaps during the recent period, Max had pampered Pearl excessively, allowing her arrogance to soar to new heights, causing her to forget that Max's current success was thanks to whom? Pearl being Max's personal secretary wasn't because of her capabilities; this fact Pearl herself was well aware of. She knew she was in that position because Max desired to be closer to her.

However, Pearl was naturally not impressed by Bella's words. She still believed that Bella, as before, was ignorant of resistance, only knowing how to endure and yield to others, easily manipulated by Pearl.

"Are you implying that Max isn't competent, that his success is solely due to having you around? Aren't you afraid he might feel hurt hearing such words?" Pearl chuckled lightly, posing her question.