Chapter Ninety-Two

Chapter Ninety-Two

"She insulted me, and you're just brushing it off?" Pearl wanted a few comforting words from him, but his indifference left her deeply dissatisfied.

Max didn't look at her; he focused on his documents. With a sigh, he said, "Enough. Tonight, join me and Bella for dinner at this restaurant. She really wants you to come. She considers you her best friend, yet you treat her this way. Don't you feel guilty towards Bella?"

"WHAT? Max… what are you talking about? You're asking if I feel guilty towards Bella? Are you crazy? Why should I feel guilty towards her?" Pearl was furious at Max's words, unable to comprehend how he could say such things.

They had been secretly involved behind Bella's back for years, even before Max and Bella got married. Together, they planned to take over Bella's father's company and intentionally made it impossible for Bella to conceive. Everything that had happened was a joint effort between Pearl and Max, not just her alone, yet now Max made it seem like she was the sole culprit.

He pretended as if he were an uninvolved bystander.

"Enough, I'm working and don't have time to argue with you. Tonight, be at the restaurant at eight o'clock. You have to come, no excuses," Max said, refusing to continue the pointless argument with this unreasonable woman.

Pearl, fuming, turned and stormed out of the room, slamming the door loudly, making Max frown in annoyance. "What a bother."

That evening, Bella chose a pristine white shirt, meticulously tailored to fit, with a moderately high collar that gracefully showed off her slender neck and sleeves adorned with delicate embroidery.

She paired it with a black flared skirt that reached her knees, creating a perfect contrast with the shirt. The skirt, made of high-quality fabric with a slight sheen, elegantly swayed with her every step. She wore glossy black high heels that enhanced her height and graceful walk.

Her hair was neatly pinned up, revealing her delicate face with soft but sharp features. Light makeup accentuated her look, with vibrant red lips and sparkling eyes exuding an air of sophistication.

Every gesture, every step she took exuded confidence, poise, and elegance.

"Bella, you look stunning..." Max was in awe, gazing at his beautiful wife as she stepped out of the house.

Bella only smiled slightly, not saying a word. In the car, Max talked nonstop, not noticing that his wife didn't respond at all.

It wasn't until Max asked, "Why do you want to invite both Pearl and Levi? I remember you've only met my friend Levi two or three times."

Bella finally answered, "Yes, I've only met your friend a few times, but I remember he's someone you trust and are close to. Moreover, you've told me that thanks to him, you secured many big projects and connected with significant figures in the business world."

"Ah… yes, I did say that…" Although Bella was merely repeating what he had said before, Max felt uneasy about the joy in her eyes when she mentioned Levi.

"So, I want to invite Levi to help you get closer to him as friends, not just business partners," Bella expressed.

Seeing his wife's understanding and concern, Max was very pleased. This was exactly the kind of woman who was suitable for him, deserving to stand by his side.

Perhaps because their arrival wasn't too far apart, as soon as Bella and Max entered the restaurant, Pearl followed closely behind. The three of them met, and despite her anger and disgust from the morning, Pearl had to appear friendly towards Bella.

Pearl wore a tight red dress that was incredibly hot and high heels that made her even more alluring. However, this created a stark contrast when she stood next to Bella.

"Glad I’m not late," Pearl forced a smile.

Bella smiled warmly, "It's good that you came. I was really worried you wouldn't make it."

Bella had never been here before, and she wasn't the one who made the reservation. So, upon entering the restaurant, Bella was surprised by its opulence, not in the design but in the clientele. Most of the diners were people she only saw on TV, which astonished her.

As they sat down, Max was very pleased, saying, "I didn't expect you to be so thoughtful. This restaurant usually caters only to the wealthy and powerful. How did you manage to get a reservation here?"

Bella hadn't even had a chance to speak when Pearl interrupted, showing no interest in the place. "What's so special about this restaurant? I don't see anything special, just that it's too small and too simple. Bella, is this your first time in a fancy restaurant?'

Without annoyance, Bella chuckled softly, "I don't often visit upscale restaurants, but this one is truly special. The dishes here are all crafted by a world-renowned chef personally. He works alone, so reservations must be made at least three months in advance for those who wish to experience his culinary skills. I consider myself lucky to have secured a table just two weeks prior."

Listening to Bella, Max was slightly taken aback. Although he had never dined here, he knew well about the restaurant's strict reservation policy and long wait times.

"Even wealthy and famous guests find it difficult to dine here." Max nodded slightly and said.

Max couldn't help but wonder, "Bella... do you know this famous chef? How were you able to book a table just two weeks in advance?"

Bella smiled gently, "Not exactly acquaintances... let's just say I got lucky. We're here to enjoy a gourmet meal crafted by this world-renowned chef."

Facing their conversation, Pearl remained silent, she was clearly the one invited, but she was like a light bulb between the two of them, like an outsider, observing and judging without understanding.

Bella glanced at Pearl and saw her pale face and silence. “Pearl, I really want you to enjoy dinner here, so I invited you here. Anyway, it is very difficult to dine here a second time.”

Max added, "Yes, you should thank my wife for kindly inviting you."

Bella quickly responded to Max, "Don't say that. Pearl is my close friend, so inviting her to dinner is perfectly normal. Pearl, you don't need to thank me."

Bella's demeanor was relaxed and generous, yet her words subtly teased. Max didn't notice, but Pearl felt it keenly, though she could do nothing but endure and silently curse Bella in her mind.

Finally, Levi arrived, immediately drawing whispers from other guests upon entering.

"Levi, you're finally here. I've been looking forward to this." Max greeted enthusiastically. Levi's appearance always attracts the attention of others. When Levi approached Max's table, many other guests who were not interested in them originally turned their eyes to Max's table, making Max very proud face.

Levi smiled and nodded, sitting across from Bella. As soon as he sat down, he couldn't help but glance at Bella, evaluating her. Food was served promptly and meticulously presented to showcase the chef's attention to detail.

Bella felt the moment had come, she gently spoke "This might be the second time all four of us have been at the same table together." She turned to Levi, "Mr. Karter, you won't mind engaging in conversation with us as friends, will you?"

Levi frowned briefly but quickly replied, "Of course, Miss Bella, if you put it that way, how could I refuse?"

"Thank you." Bella replied.

Although they shared the table, Pearl felt like an outsider, irrelevant and ignorant of the trio's conversation, which left her deeply dissatisfied, particularly Max's cold attitude towards her.

Unable to bear being merely a background figure to the others, Pearl spoke up, "Bella, you mentioned you wanted to invite me and Levi here to declare something."

To prove herself no less than Bella, Pearl turned to Levi and smiled, "Bella didn't mention anything to you, Levi?" Despite a previous warning, Pearl didn't hesitate to address Levi directly, unconcerned since he had previously said there was no issue speaking as friends.

Levi didn't respond, his gaze fixed on Bella. Feeling embarrassed about being ignored by Levi, Pearl forced a smile to cover her discomfort.

"What did you want to announce, Bella?" Max asked, entirely unaware of what his wife intended to declare.

Taking a sip of wine, Bella smiled brightly, "Yes, I have something to announce. It should be I would only tell Max privately, but I'm so excited that I want to share it with my closest friend, Pearl, and my husband's friend, Mr. Karter.'

Max grew increasingly impatient. "Go on, what do you want to announce?"

Suddenly, Bella embraced Max's arm, leaning closer to him. She beamed at him excitedly, "Max, I'm pregnant! I'm really pregnant! I'm so happy, I want everyone to know."