Theodore was unmoved. His voice was firm, almost cold, as he replied, "Right now, Bella’s safety is paramount. That crazy woman, Ivy, is out there. She could hurt Bella."
Skyler, still not fully grasping the shift in Theodore’s priorities, tried to reason with him. ’But she is at the office, surrounded by her colleagues. Ivy wouldn’t dare go there. If you’re concerned, have Hugo arrange for a guard to protect her. There is no need to postpone the meeting for something so trivial."
Theodore’s response was immediate and explosive. "Bella is not a trivial matter!" he roared, his eyes flashing with a dangerous intensity. The force of his words sent a shockwave through the room, and before Skyler could say another word, Theodore was already on his feet, storming out of the office with a determined stride.
Skyler stood frozen in place, his mouth agape as he watched Theodore’s retreating form. "I can’t believe he is willing to risk millions of dollars for a woman," he muttered, still reeling from the shock. "When did he change so much?"
The realization that Theodore’s priorities had shifted so dramatically left Skyler shaken, his mind struggling to reconcile the driven, business-focused man he knew with the one who had just walked out, ready to put everything on the line for Bella.
Theodore tried calling Bella, but she still wasn’t answering. Concern gnawed at him, wondering what could be keeping her so busy. He considered calling Willow to check in on her, but before he could dial the number, Tristan hurried over, his expression urgent.
"Sir, Brico is celebrating the successful launch of their products tonight," Tristan reported, slightly out of breath. "Everyone seems busy preparing for the party."
Theodore immediately understood why Bella wasn’t picking up his calls. "Alright, let’s go there," he said decisively.
Tristan blinked in surprise. "Erm...you want to attend the party?" he asked, clearly baffled. They hadn’t received an invitation, and the idea of just showing up felt awkward. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to crash the event? He wanted to voice his concerns, but the words stuck in his throat.
Theodore’s sharp gaze landed on him, one eyebrow arching. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"N-no, but we weren’t invited," Tristan stammered, still unsure.
"I’m going to see my wife and sister," Theodore countered smoothly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "Besides, I’m an investor in this project. I have every right to inspect it whenever I please." With that, he turned and strode away, his steps quick and purposeful.
Tristan stood there for a moment, scratching his head in confusion. "Why is he so unpredictable?" he mumbled under his breath.
"Are you coming or not?" Theodore’s barked command snapped Tristan out of his thoughts, startling him.
"Yes, yes, coming!" Tristan replied hastily, scrambling to follow his boss.
Skyler stood outside the cabin and watched them leave. A deep frown creased his brow, his displeasure evident. He couldn’t understand why Theodore was so intent on going to this party, especially without an invitation. It was the first time he had noticed his boss neglecting work over a woman.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ivy, now disguised in a waitress uniform, slipped into the bustling hall where the party was in full swing. She had managed to incapacitate a waitress earlier, stealing her uniform to blend in with the crowd. Keeping her head low and her face hidden beneath a mask, she moved cautiously, her eyes scanning the room with a singular focus. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
When she spotted her target, Bella, engaged in conversation with Willow, a surge of anger coursed through her. "Bella," she muttered under her breath. "Smile all you want. Your hours of happiness are numbered."
Ivy grabbed a tray of wine glasses and, with a calculated movement, slipped the cake-cutting knife into her pocket. As she approached Bella, her steps slowed, her heart pounding in her chest. Her steps came to a halt when she noticed Bella walking out of the hall.
’Where is she going?’ Ivy wondered to herself, a sense of restlessness creeping into her. ’I have to follow her.’
Quickly, Ivy handed the tray to another passing waitress, her fingers brushing the concealed knife in her pocket. She slipped out of the hall, her eyes fixed on Bella’s retreating figure, ready to finish what she had come to do.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Zack had also noticed Bella leaving. He had been anxiously waiting for the right moment to speak to her, and now, seeing her step out alone, he sensed his opportunity. With a newfound determination, he followed her.
When he saw her enter the restroom, he hesitated, choosing to wait just outside. His heart raced with anticipation, knowing that this might be his chance to have a private conversation with her. He leaned against the wall, his thoughts swirling as he prepared for what he was about to say, unaware of the danger lurking just around the corner.
Inside the restroom...
Bella finally had a moment to herself. She took out her phone and noticed several missed calls from Theodore. "He called me!" she murmured, a mix of surprise and guilt tugging at her.
Without hesitation, she quickly returned the call. It connected after just two rings, and Theodore’s voice came through, tinged with mock irritation. "You finally have time to call me. You forgot your husband!"
"You finally have the time to call me," Theodore whined. "You forgot your husband!"
Bella chuckled, amused by his tone. "I’m sorry, the company is celebrating the successful launch. I’ve been busy with everyone," she explained.
"Yeah, yeah... now I’m just a side character. Why would you care about me?" Theodore teased, though there was a hint of genuine longing beneath his words.
"Don’t say that. You know how important you are to me," A smile tugged at her lips. As she spoke, she casually glanced at the waitress who had just entered the restroom.
She turned back to the mirror to fix her makeup, still holding the phone to her ear. "The party might go late. Don’t wait up for me."
"I am coming there," Theodore said.
"What?" Bella exclaimed, startled. "Why?"
"Because I miss you," Theodore replied, his tone dropping to a husky murmur that sent sweet sensations down her spine. "Listen, I’ll be there in a few minutes. I can’t wait to see you."
Before Bella could respond, the call ended abruptly, leaving her staring at the phone in disbelief. "He is coming here!" she whispered, still in a daze, her eyes fixed on the screen. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn’t notice Ivy slowly pulling a knife from her pocket and creeping up behind her.
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