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.

her denial quick

name of this artist?” Ethan probed,

attempting to downplay the severity of the issue. Ethan, however,

in his gaze.

maintaining her stance, knowing she had to sound. convincing

words laced with determination as she tried to redirect

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

finally, breaking the silence, his lingering gaze leaving a trail of unanswered questions. With that, he turned and headed towards their bedroom,

across the room, shutting the door he

her to the shadows of her clandestine

dutiful husband, too bad.” he added, his words dripping with sarcasm. “Stop it, Bella said, her patience waning as she struggled to endure his

lie? I thought you said you were done?” he sneered, reveling in

continued,

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

taunts.

finding amusement in her

wanted to come clean,” he chuckled more then broke into full laughter. Suddenly, he

ordered, his demand cutting through the remnants of

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,”

leaving Bella to deal with the thoughts of how to have the amount wired to his account. She flung her phone away in frustration, releasing an angry hiss. Then the realization dawned on her, she swiftly grabbed her phone

seventy? You said fifty before!” she thundered the moment he

so I borrowed it to you today, with an interest, of course, twenty thousand,” he stated gleefully, his tone

are you spouting?” she asked, struggling

what else do I do? I borrow. So now

sigh, she hung up the phone, tossing

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