Chapter 78

Bella could feel her irritation rise as she continued listening to the man..

“Listen…” he was about to continue when, at that very moment, the door swung open and Ethan stood there. Bella ripped the phone from her ear immediately, her head snapping to the open door where Ethan stood, a questioning look etched on his face.

He stepped into the room, and Bella stood, attempting to appear composed, the phone clutched tightly in her hands.

“You’re home early,” she stated almost breathlessly, her words carrying a hint of surprise attempting to deflect any suspicion that might arise from the abrupt end to her secretive conversation.

“Yes,” he replied, his eyes searching her features with a discerning intensity.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, his brows furrowing suspiciously, as if sensing a disturbance in the atmosphere.

“Huh?” she asked, looking up with wide, innocent eyes, a practiced guise of normalcy.

“No nothing,” she denied immediately, attempting to deflect any scrutiny.

You sure? You sounded like you were having an issue.” he queried, his gaze briefly flickering towards her phone, catching the subtle unease in her demeanor as her grip around it tightened even more.

“It’s nothing, just one of the artists. He’s demanding to be paid more for the exhibition where we’re displaying his paintings,” she explained,her attempt at casualness at odds with the tight grip on the phone, casting shadows of secrecy in the room.

Ethan’s features relaxed as he processed her explanation.

“You should arrive at a decision before starting; that’s not legal. Do you need my help? Need me to step in?” he offered, displaying a genuine concern for her predicament.

“It sounds serious,” he observed, his attention fully on her.

immediately, her denial quick and

this artist?” Ethan probed, seeking more information to assess the

attempting to downplay the severity of the issue. Ethan, however, continued to stare at her, a

in his gaze.

she had to sound. convincing to dissuade Ethan from

her words laced with determination as she tried to

shifted uncomfortably under his piercing gaze, the room hanging heavy with unspoken tension, as

a trail of unanswered questions. With that, he turned and headed towards their bedroom, the atmosphere still

the room, shutting the door he had

call remained connected, a lingering thread connecting her to the shadows of her clandestine dealings. “Oh, was that Mr. Wild?”

like a dutiful husband, too bad.” he added, his words dripping with sarcasm. “Stop it, Bella said, her patience waning as

you said you were done?” he sneered,

just told him, he continued, breaking

she yelled angrily, the frustration evident in her voice as she tried to silence

taunts.

seemingly finding amusement in

of our little transactions and wanted to come clean,” he chuckled more then broke into full

demand cutting through

can’t right now. I can’t use my regular accounts; I’ll use the company’s own, so it doesn’t arouse suspicion. But it has to be tomorrow,” she explained, attempting to reach an

to the delay, seventy thousand by tomorrow. Nothing less than that,” he ordered, his words carrying an uncompromising weight. With that, he abruptly hung up, leaving Bella to deal with the thoughts of how to have the amount

said fifty before!” she thundered the moment he

borrowed it to you today, with an interest, of course, twenty thousand,” he stated gleefully, his tone indicating a twisted satisfaction

you spouting?” she asked, struggling to comprehend the audacity of

what else do I do? I borrow. So

didn’t even have the energy to argue. With a frustrated sigh, she hung up the phone, tossing it away as if trying to distance herself from

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