Chapter Ninety-One

Chapter Ninety-One

After the health check-up that day, the person most anxious and eagerly awaiting the results was Pearl, even though she had nothing to do with the health check-up. In contrast, Max seemed almost indifferent to it and showed clear annoyance whenever Pearl brought up the subject.

"Can you stop it already? I know what I need to do. Stop nagging about it all the time. Don't you find it annoying? If you have so much free time, you should focus on your own work. You know very well that the salary you receive every month is too high compared to the effort you put into your job," Max snapped irritably. He was growing increasingly fed up with this woman. Who was she to demand that he listen to her?

Too troublesome!

Pearl immediately retorted, "Why are you yelling at me? What did I do wrong by asking you to do this? You regretting it now? Don't forget, there's no turning back for us anymore."

Of course, Max understood Pearl's words better than anyone, but he deliberately pretended not to understand what she was saying.

Max clenched his fists, suppressing his anger and disdain for the woman before him. He sighed and said, "Enough. Stop bringing this up. I know what I need to do."

Pearl wasn't ready to let the matter drop. She still wanted to say more but was forcibly dragged out of Max's office.

Since the dinner party that night, nearly two weeks had passed, but there were still no results from the health check-up. This didn't bother Max because he didn't care about it in the first place. What he cared about was that his wife wanted to have a child with him. That could be considered a stepping stone for Max's career.

However, there were two things that troubled Max. Since that day, Bella had not shared a bed with him even once and didn't allow him to touch her. And another thing... he wanted to end things with Pearl.

Initially, Max believed that Pearl was the right woman for him. She was intelligent, capable, beautiful, and could assist his career. With Pearl by his side, Max felt extremely proud and was admired and envied by many partners.

But over time, Pearl no longer seemed as straightforward and capable as before. In his eyes now, she was just a scheming, selfish, calculating, arrogant, domineering, and troublesome woman. Meanwhile, the wife he had once ignored and belittled in front of others had changed and made him proud to be by her side.

Max realized that the woman who truly deserved to be with him was Bella, who was also his lawful wife. In the end, Pearl was still just a third party intruding on his marriage with Bella.

Pearl returned to her office, furiously sweeping all the documents on her desk to the floor. She kept biting her nails; every time she was overly stressed and worried, she would do such things.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Where did I go wrong? There's still no result? Or has there been a result, but Max didn't tell me? No way, now neither he nor I have a way out anymore," Pearl kept muttering to herself in the office.

After investing in the AIN project, Max made a lot of money, so much that it surprised him. Although he was just an investor and the AIN project was a new one introduced by Levi, Max didn't have high expectations for it initially.

Max praised Levi for his foresight. Without Levi, he wouldn't have made so much money.

Wanting even more money, Max didn't hesitate to invest five times the initial amount in the AIN project. The profits from this investment were so smooth and favorable that Max felt extremely delighted and comfortable. To have a child with Bella, Max no longer intentionally added that drug to her milk. Instead, he bought many supplements for Bella to get pregnant quickly, which astonished her.

Bella looked at the pile of supplements on the table, feeling incredibly uncomfortable. Because of her lie that day, Max truly believed it and eagerly hoped she would get pregnant.

Suddenly, Bella thought of an interesting idea. She said to Max, who was standing next to her, "Why have you been staying home a lot lately? How's your work going?"

"How could my work be more important than my wife? I just want to spend more time taking care of you," Max replied with a smile.

Hearing Max's sweet words, Bella only sneered inwardly. Of course, she didn't believe what Max said. But from her observation, ever since Bella mentioned wanting a child with Max, he seemed less "busy" than before.

"That's right. Max, I have something to say," Bella said gently.

Max raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"

"I haven't seen Pearl in a while. I want to meet her; I also have something to tell her. How about the three of us have dinner together? You can invite your friend Levi as well. The four of us can have dinner together," Bella said casually and naturally, with an expression of expectation and joy, making the smile on Max's face freeze.

Max awkwardly said, "Why do you want to see Pearl? I remember she gave you a fake gift before. Aren't you angry?"

"Not at all. It's just one item. I'm not mad at her. If I were mad at her just because of a fake gift, then our friendship would be too shallow and cheap." Bella shrugged.

Faced with his wife's request, Max couldn't refuse even though he really didn't want to mention Pearl. However, if he declined Bella's request at that moment, she would find it unusual.

Because Max always believed that his wife was still unaware of their clandestine relationship, and moreover, the relationship between his wife and Pearl was very good. Before Bella started working as she does now, Pearl often dined with him and Bella. Therefore, Max had no reason to refuse his wife's request.

After a moment of thought, Max agreed and said sweet and loving words to Bella.

Bella intentionally made a reservation at one of the most famous and expensive restaurants in the city, a place frequented only by the wealthy and powerful.

"What do you think of this restaurant? If it's too expensive, I can book another place," Bella asked Max, her words sounding like she was seeking his opinion, but her tone was filled with excitement and she would be very disappointed if he refused.

This is not just an ordinary famous restaurant, famous and rich people may not be sure to dine at this special restaurant because the dishes are made by the best chef. Because the chef here is very talented and has won many major awards and is world famous, he is very arrogant. Even if customers are willing to pay any price, no one can invite this chef to cook separately for them.

Seeing Max remain silent, Bella assumed he found the restaurant too expensive. Contrary to her expectations, Max agreed. He said, "I think it's perfect. Only a place like this matches our status."

Bella smirked, having managed to secure a table at this restaurant without much effort. More accurately, someone had helped her make the reservation, and she just had to wait.

Bella continued to work as usual, but today was special because she encountered Pearl in the elevator. Though Bella had prepared herself to remain calm in case of such a coincidental meeting, that was only in her imagination.

Outwardly, Bella seemed calm, but inside she felt extremely uneasy facing Pearl.

Pearl noticed Bella's significantly changed appearance since she joined the company, but still found her style to be rustic and unattractive.

"You've only been at the company for a short time and have already made it to a managerial position. Being the chairman's daughter certainly has its advantages. Anyway, because of people like you who rely on connections, many highly capable people can't advance no matter how hard they try," Pearl sneered, her eyes full of disdain as she looked at Bella.

Bella clenched her fists and smiled amicably at Pearl. "You're right. Of course, I'm very proud to be the chairman's daughter. As for my working abilities, you're not qualified to judge, are you, Pearl?"

"Hah... We went to the same school. Do you think I don't know your capabilities? Don't be so arrogant. If you weren't the chairman's daughter, you'd be nothing. You might not even be able to step into this company. You should know your place. I think you'd be more suited to being a full-time housewife rather than working here. Your work abilities are too poor, but because you're Max's wife, he overlooks it. If you stay here, you'll only embarrass your husband. I'm kindly reminding you; you should know your place," Pearl's words clearly conveyed her contempt and disdain for Bella, without any attempt to conceal it.

In the past, Bella would have been easily hurt and self-conscious by such words from her closest friend. But this time, Bella wasn't at all shaken by the insults. She smiled warmly and responded very kindly.

"You really think so? But I don't have time to care about what you think. Anyway, thanks for the reminder. I won't take it to heart."

Bella's indifferent and unconcerned attitude infuriated Pearl. This wasn't the reaction she expected from Bella. Bella should have been downcast and too afraid to retort as she used to be.

Before the elevator doors opened, Bella said, "Tonight, Max and I want to invite you to dinner with us. I also have something to announce, and since you're my best friend and Max's trusted secretary, I can't make this announcement without you."

Before Pearl could respond, Bella exited the elevator and headed straight to her office.

Pearl angrily made her way to Max's office in a bad mood. She couldn't understand where Bella got the confidence to act so arrogantly in front of her. But in front of Max, she appeared very weak and pitiful.

"Why do you look so upset?" Max raised an eyebrow, feeling slightly annoyed that Pearl often barged into his office without knocking, even when there was nothing urgent.

Pearl, looking aggrieved, said, "Your wife, Bella, she insulted me, she... hic… She looks down on me because she’s the daughter of the company chairman. She never used to be like this... I don't know what I did wrong to be scolded by her so harshly." Every time Pearl put on this act, Max would gently comfort her, but this time Pearl had miscalculated.

Max casually brushed her hand aside and said indifferently, "She's the chairman's daughter. Are you already crying over a few words from her? Besides, you know Bella is kind-hearted. She would never say harsh words to anyone. You're overthinking it. Don't bother me with such trivial matters."