As Bella exited Kate’s office and made her way across the hall, she unexpectedly encountered Gina. Both froze, their eyes locking instantly. Bella felt a twist of irritation in her stomach—Gina was the last person she wanted to deal with right now. She lowered her gaze, hoping to pass by without a tussle.
But Gina quickly blocked her path. "Bella, is that really you?" she asked, seemingly surprised to see Bella there. "What are you doing here?"
Bella’s jaw tightened. If Gina was looking for a confrontation, she wasn’t going to back down. "What do you think I’m doing here? Obviously, I came for work."
"Work? Really?" Gina let out a mocking scoff, crossing her arms over her chest as she cast Bella a smug look. "Do you even know where you are? This is one of the top fashion houses in the country, with branches in major cities. What kind of work will you have here? Uh..." She held up her finger. "I know. You must be here for a clerical job. That’s something you’d do well."
Bella chuckled derisively. "I had no idea you looked down on clerical work."
"Not at all," Gina replied with sarcasm. "I am just praising you. Don’t take it the wrong way."
Bella rolled her eyes, turning her head to the side, already feeling bored. But Gina wasn’t done.
"By the way," Gina said, a smug smile spreading across her face, "my designs were approved for the biggest fashion show that Limeart hosts every year." She moved in closer to her. "You also wanted to be a designer. But luck hasn’t really been on your side, has it?"
She leaned in and added with false sympathy. "Anyway, I’m glad you’ll still have work here as clerical staff. The pay is probably better than where you used to work. So... congratulations."
"Whatever!" Bella rolled her eyes and walked out.
Gina’s face twisted in frustration as she watched Bella walk away without a second glance. She had been hoping to provoke Bella into a reaction, to start a confrontation so she could make a scene there and humiliate her, exposing her cheating on Theodore in front of the staff members. Bella didn’t give her the satisfaction. She simply ignored her and left.
Gina could do nothing but fume in anger. Pushing her anger aside, she took a deep breath and flicked her hair over her shoulder, gathering herself as she approached the reception desk. She pulled a smile over her face. "Hi, I’m a designer and would like to participate in the upcoming fashion show."
The receptionist gave her a polite, professional nod. "Submit your design drafts. If your work is selected, we’ll reach out to you."
Gina nodded eagerly, producing the portfolio she had spent hours perfecting.
"Thank you," the receptionist said with a warm smile as she accepted the portfolio. "We’ll contact you in a few days to let you know if your work has been selected."
"Okay, I’ll look forward to it," Gina replied, returning the smile. She had worked meticulously on every detail and was certain they would secure her a place in the show.
Bella, on the other hand, stood by the road and phoned Willow. When the call was connected, she grinned. "I’m not disturbing you, am I?"
Willow’s cheerful voice came through instantly. "You can never disturb me, Bella! I always love talking to you."
"Then how about we have lunch together?" Bella asked with a playful lilt.
"What? Are you in the city?" Willow exclaimed, clearly surprised.
"Yes!" Bella giggled. "Let’s meet at the restaurant where we last had lunch."
"Alright! I’ll be there," Willow agreed enthusiastically.
"See you soon." Bella ended the call, her smile lingering as she slipped her phone back into her bag. She looked left and right, scanning the road for an available taxi.
Just then, a car pulled up beside her, and to her surprise, Zack’s familiar face appeared through the window. His face lit up the moment he saw her, and in an instant, he was out of the car, excitement gleaming in his gaze.
"Bella! What a pleasant surprise!" He couldn’t hide his delight. "I didn’t expect to see you here. What brings you to this side of town?" His eyes drifted to the towering office building behind her, his expression shifting slightly. "Are you here for a job interview?"
The thought that Bella was seeking opportunities elsewhere twisted his heart. Bella had not come to him, but instead, she was looking for a job in other companies.
Bella hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to tell him the truth or not. She hadn’t forgotten how the photographs of her with him had thrown her life into turmoil. Malcolm’s health had worsened because of that, and she had been forced to separate from Theodore. If only she had been more cautious, none of it might have happened.
She finally decided not to tell him anything. "I actually heard about the fashion show they put on every year. I thought I’d try my luck. So I came to submit my designs."
"Ah, I see." Zack’s expression eased a bit. He was familiar with the annual show. "It’ll be a tough competition. If you want, I can help you. I know someone in the selection group." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
"There is no need," Bella replied gently, turning down his offer. She had already signed a contract with Limeart, and even if she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have asked any favor from him.
Zack’s shoulders slumped, his disappointment deepening. But he didn’t insist on her. "Uh, I haven’t had lunch yet," he changed the topic. "How about joining me?"
"I am sorry, I have to turn you down," Bella said apologetically. "I am actually planning to meet my friend. We’ll be having lunch together."
Zack gave a small nod, unable to hide the slight fall in his expression. "I understand," he replied quietly, the light fading from his eyes.
As Gina stepped out of the building, her gaze fell upon Bella standing with Zack by the roadside. She stopped, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "So Bella has got a job here with Zack’s help," she speculated. "But why didn’t he give her a job at his own company?" She frowned, pondering the oddness of it.
A sneer spread across her face as a new thought dawned on her. "Uh, maybe Bella didn’t want to have any connection with Willow. After all, Willow is now a partner with Zack. Humph! Bella, you are so cheap. First, you cheated on Theodore, and now you shamelessly cling to Zack."
She snorted, her insides twisting with disgust as she walked away.
Zack, on the other hand, wasn’t ready to part with Bella just yet. "Is your friend picking you up?" He had so many things to tell her.
"No." Bella shook her head politely. "We’re meeting at a restaurant. I’ll grab a taxi."
"Why do you need a taxi? I’ll drop you off." He gestured toward his car.
Bella smiled awkwardly and a trace of discomfort appeared on her face. She hesitated, aware that Theodore might be furious if he found out she had accepted a ride from Zack. "I... I don’t want to bother you. I’ll manage on my own."
But Zack persisted, opening the car door for her. "Please, I insist. It’s no trouble."
Bella was seemingly uncomfortable. "I..." She was just about to answer when a booming voice split the air.
"She is not going anywhere with you."
She turned her head to the source of the voice and saw Philip walking over, his face contorted with fury. His intense glare sent a chill down her spine, and she instinctively took a step back. Before she could fully process the situation, Philip closed the distance and swung his fist, landing a powerful punch squarely on Zack’s face.
The impact sent Zack staggering backward, crashing against the car. Bella gasped in shock, her hands flying to her mouth.
With a fierce glare, Philip lunged forward, gripping Zack’s collar with both hands, his expression dark with rage. "You!" he growled. "How dare you approach her? After everything—after killing Rose—haven’t you done enough? Or do you want to destroy her too?"
"Philip, listen to me—" Zack tried to explain, but Philip cut him off, his sneer cold and unrelenting.
"Oh, I see it now," Philip hissed. "You’ve been following her, haven’t you? You knew all along who she was and what connection she had with us, Waltons, and yet, you never reached out. Just what are you planning?"
"I was..."
"What’s going on?" Bella interrupted. Confused and alarmed, she looked between the two men. "You two know each other? And what is this about my connection to the Waltons?"
Zack shoved Philip’s hands away and turned to her. "Bella, I can explain." He reached out to hold her hand.
"Don’t touch her," Philip snapped, yanking Zack back and shoving him aside with a warning glare. "Stay away from her, or I swear I’ll make your life a living hell."
"Enough!" Bella cried out. "Will someone tell me what’s going on?"
Philip turned to face her, his heart trembling. He had pictured this moment countless times, imagining how he would reveal the truth to her, but never like this—not in the middle of a confrontation.
"Bella...you’re a Walton. Rose... she was your twin sister."
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