The Clutches Of Hell Novel

Chapter 41

Victoria had been chasing after him for years, and she would already be in seventh heaven if he didn’t shoo her away.

She had always thought he was innately lofty and didn’t know how to treat others kindly, so she just had to be the nice one.

But lo and behold… It wasn’t that he was lofty; he simply didn’t give a damn about her.

Meanwhile, Bella looked at the food in her plate with unconcealable jubilation. “Thank you, Christian.”

“Do you like this one?” Christian put the communal chopsticks down and picked his back up. “We’ll order more of it.”

Bella’s eyes lit up in response, and her face turned rosy.

Victoria, on the other hand, stood by the table with her eyes drooped. Her heart felt sore, twinging painfully as though hundreds and thousands of ants were gnawing at it.

“Hello, Mr. Thatcher and Miss Spritz,” Gabrielle greeted somewhat stiffly, her eyes lighting up upon seeing Christian and Bella.

Victoria forced a smile, but there was not a sliver of joy beneath her eyes. “Sorry for disturbing.”

“I was so worried you wouldn’t come because of shame.” Bella sighed helplessly, then smiled amiably. “I’m glad you’ve come over. Come, have a seat.”

“Thank you, Miss Spritz.” After Gabrielle thanked her with a smile, she dragged Victoria to an empty seat. She then asked Victoria in a whisper when the other three had their focus elsewhere. “Why would Miss Spritz say you wouldn’t come because of shame?”

Victoria’s body stiffened in response, stupefied for a long time.

“Oh, it’s nothing. She just ran over me and left me with a bad leg,” Bella answered softly, then apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. It’s just that you guys are so close.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” Gabrielle waved her hand with a forced smile, both awkward and shocked.

tried to

who hit me.” Bella smiled, then said with some regret, “Besides, I never blamed Victoria either. I just feel somewhat unfortunate that I can

a dancer?”

took a gander at Bella in response, and his eyes turned

hadn’t befriended Victoria because of him, non of this

Gabrielle covered her mouth. “Well, that’s very unfortunate! If I were you, Miss Spritz, I would never

second that Gabrielle realized what she had just said. At that, she smiled awkwardly and turned to Victoria.

Bella can never dance

at that, and the

one unfazed, eating away like a noble

guys. I already said I don’t blame Victoria.” Bella smiled forcefully. “Even if I can’t dance anymore, it’s no big deal.

gorgeous features, she genuinely thought this young woman was so benign that it pained others to

chopsticks down and leaned back against his seat, smiling ingenuously as he gave Bella a sidelong glance, causing her to lower her head and bite her lip. “I’m sorry. I

speaking up for Victoria? Bella looked at

heart raced for a moment.

don’t have to apologize.” Unable to bear seeing Bella aggrieved, Lucas stared icily at Victoria and retorted, “What you said is

make Victoria look bad, though.” Bella spoke barely audibly, and her eyes were already red-rimmed at this point. “I just wanted her to join us for a meal, but it looks like I’ve messed it up

to beat yourself up.” Lucas was less than happy about the fact that his

snorted in response, smirking. “Beat herself up?” Is Bella too good of an actor, or is

my fault. I shouldn’t have brought the topic up.” Bella bit her lip. “Victoria… and

gaze across Gabrielle and Victoria, latching it at the latter a

her to leave anymore. As such, she

a few dishes out of habit only to discover after they were served that they were all

the man’s whole attention was on Bella. He hadn’t noticed it at

licked her lips as bitterness crept up