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.

she replied immediately, her denial

the name of this artist?” Ethan probed, seeking

It’s nothing,” she laughed anxiously, attempting to downplay the severity of the issue. Ethan, however, continued to stare at her,

in his gaze.

assured, maintaining her stance, knowing she had to sound. convincing to dissuade Ethan from delving further into the

I can’t handle. I’ll take care of this myself,” she insisted, her words laced with determination as she tried to redirect Ethan’s

his piercing gaze, the room hanging heavy with unspoken tension, as he studied her for what felt like

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

the room, shutting the door he had

of her clandestine dealings. “Oh, was that Mr. Wild?” Gabriel sneered through

he added, his words dripping with sarcasm. “Stop it, Bella said,

you were done?” he

continued, breaking into

evident in her

taunts.

finding amusement in her

with all the lies and tired of our little transactions and wanted to come clean,” he chuckled more then broke into full

ordered, his demand cutting

doesn’t

carrying an uncompromising weight. With that, he abruptly hung up, leaving Bella to deal with the thoughts of how to have the amount wired to his account. She flung her

thundered the moment he picked

of course, twenty thousand,” he stated gleefully, his tone indicating a

she asked, struggling to comprehend the audacity

how business works. I need the money you owe me, so what else do I do? I borrow. So now you’ve

With a frustrated sigh, she hung up the phone, tossing it away

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