Theodore watched her, astonished. He had always known Bella as a talented designer, but her insight into business matters was a pleasant surprise. There was a depth to her thinking that he hadn’t fully appreciated before.
Skyler, however, was not as impressed. "So you’re saying there won’t be any future growth in that location?" he retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"No, I am not saying that. But this particular property is already mired in disputes. Who knows what else O’Neil might be hiding from us? It’s too risky to trust him. It’s better to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Theodore, intrigued by her reasoning, finally spoke up. "What do you suggest then?"
Bella took a moment to think before offering a suggestion. "You should look for a better location," she began thoughtfully. "Why don’t you consider the wetland in the lowline area?"
"Hah!" Skyler laughed sarcastically. "This is what you are suggesting!" he scoffed. "Bella, that place is abandoned. It’s not even worth considering."
"I’ve heard that the government is planning to develop the area," Bella said cautiously. She wasn’t entirely certain of the information, but it was worth investigating. "If it’s true, investing in the wetland now, while the price is still low, could be incredibly profitable. Once development starts, the value of that land will skyrocket."
"Interesting," Theodore remarked, a smirk playing on his lips. He liked the way Bella thought. There was potential in her idea, and it was worth exploring further.
Skyler couldn’t believe his ears. Theodore was seriously considering Bella’s suggestion as if he had already made up his mind to invest in the wetland. The thought frustrated Skyler; he knew that area was practically useless.
He, however, held his tongue, realizing that it wasn’t the right moment to argue. He resolved to dig deep into Bella’s claims, confident that if there was any falsehood in her words, Theodore would silence her himself.
"Skyler, find out if the information is correct," Theodore commanded. "If it is true, it’s better the place for the plaza project."
"Alright. I’ll look into it," Skyler finally agreed, though his tone carried a hint of skepticism. He forced a smile, saying, "Thank you, Bella, for the details. I must confess that you have a very good source of information."
With a curt nod to Theodore, Skyler exited the room, leaving the couple alone.
Theodore turned to Bella, a mix of admiration and amazement lighting up his eyes. Moving closer, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. "You chased that man out," he murmured in a low, husky voice.
"He dared to deceive you." Bella pouted slightly as she adjusted his tie, her fingers lingering on the fabric. "I had to teach him a lesson. He should know better than to try and fool you."
Theodore tilted her chin up, making her look at his eyes. "You still haven’t told me how you found out about O’Neil. Tell me everything, clearly."
"I heard that O’Neil is a fraud, trying to sell mortgaged properties to different buyers," she explained, keeping the details vague. "It was shocking when I realized you were meeting the same man. I knew I had to warn you. But first, I wanted to confirm whether he was trying to sell you the disputed land. When I saw the documents, I was furious. Trust me, I wanted to slap him right then and there."
Theodore lifted Bella’s hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on her palm. "Your hand would hurt from slapping him," he murmured softly, his eyes filled with tenderness. "I don’t want my precious wife to get hurt. Let me handle him."
Bella smiled, her heart swelling with affection and longing.
"Let’s get out of here," Theodore murmured, leading her out of the club.
~~~~~~~~
As they stepped onto the rooftop restaurant, the world below them seemed to fade away, leaving only the dazzling city lights that twinkled like a million stars. The restaurant itself was a marvel of modern design, with sleek lines and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered breathtaking views of the bustling metropolis beneath them.
Fairy lights twinkled along the railings, casting a warm, golden glow that danced across the polished wooden floor. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the scent of jasmine and freshly baked bread. A live violinist played a soothing melody that flowed through the air like a gentle breeze, adding a touch of elegance to the already enchanting atmosphere.
Bella’s breath caught in her throat as she took in the stunning scene before her. In the center of the rooftop, a single table awaited them, draped in an elegant white cloth. A bouquet of deep red roses stood proudly in the middle, surrounded by flickering candles.
It was then that Bella realized there were no other guests. The entire rooftop had been reserved just for them. Theodore had gone to great lengths to create this perfect moment, and the thought filled her with joy and surprise.
She turned to him, her face lighting up with a charming smile. "You booked the entire floor!" she finally managed to say, her voice tinged with awe.
Theodore took Bella’s hands in his, his heart fluttering with a mix of hope and anticipation. "I wanted to ensure no one disturbed our privacy. Do you like it?"
Bella’s grin grew wider as she nodded firmly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Yes," she whispered.
The scene felt surreal, like something from a dream, too perfect to be real, yet here they were, together in this magical space he had created just for her.
A long, relieved sigh escaped Theodore’s lips. "Thank goodness. So, do you forgive me now?"
Bella had never been angry with him. She chuckled playfully. "I only pretended to be angry."
Theodore’s eyebrows shot up in astonishment. "Is that so?"
Bella nodded, mischief dancing in her eyes. "I can’t stay angry with you for long."
He pulled her to his chest suddenly, wrapping his arms around her. Bella gasped, her hands on his chest. His voice was a husky murmur against her ear. "You’ve been fooling me, pretending to be upset with me!" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
"I wanted to see what you’d do to make it up to me," she replied honestly.
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