Chapter 151 Painful Hear

“Miss Katherine saved the Lord’s life that’s why he treats her so nice. Not that she’s in the same league as you.”

“You can say that again…,” said Bella to herself.

Charles could be gentle to Katherine but he was cruel towards her.

She remembered that time when he forced her to witness their kissing, despite knowing she had already fallen in love with him.

The sorrow hit Bella’s throat. She closed her eyes and paused the conversation.

When Bella returned to the company, it was already twelve. Lunchbreak would begin normally at eleven-thirty, which meant that Charles had already gone out for lunch.

What was she supposed to do with the coffee?

Holding it in her hands, she knocked on the door of the president's office but there was no response. She hesitated for a moment before she opened the door and entered the office.

Charles’s piercing gaze was so scary she almost dropped the cup. Bella stood there frozen with eyes wide open with terror. She was like an actor in a gothic horror film who had stumbled by accident upon something very horrible.

Seeing who it was, Charles’s expression somehow softened.

“I brought your coffee,” she explained.

“I see that,” said Charles and walked up to her to take the paper cup out of her hand.

He returned to his desk, took a sip, and put it in front of him.

“Where is Abraham?” he asked.

“He is waiting in his car.”

“I asked him to escort you everywhere.”

“I asked him to wait for me in the car.”

“Why did you do that?”

“I am just a plain secretary. I don’t think I need a bodyguard. It’s too weird. What will the other girls in the office think?”

“Don’t forget that you’re also my wife. You’re entitled to twenty-four hour protection.”

His hand reached out to the lunch tray in front of him and picked a sandwich, which he began to nibble.

“You hungry?” he asked with his mouth full.

“A bit,” she said.

“Come over here and take a bite with me.”

If she refused, it would only make them argue again and this was the last thing she wanted. She stepped forward and picked a mini-sandwich from the tray.

She avoided his look while she was eating but Charles kept on staring at her in such a persistent manner, she found it difficult to gulp down the food in her mouth.

“Do you still love me?” he asked.

Bella almost choked upon hearing those words. This was the reason Charles was such a toxic person. He never displayed any affection, only wanted constant confirmation of her love towards him. If she dared to expose his contradictory nature, he would accuse her of jealousy and state that he didn’t need any words or actions to prove his love for her.

If these were mere signs of his childish nature as Abraham claimed, then indeed, Charles was a child, albeit a cruel one. He was only interested in manipulating her emotions and teasing her heart.

For these reasons, Bella decided she was not going to answer his question.

“Got to go now,” she said.

Before she had the chance to go anywhere, Charles jumped up from his seat and grabbed her from the arm.

“If you don't love me, why did you take a bullet for me last night?”

Bella looked straight into his eyes. She looked extremely calm. “I'm sorry.”

“For what?”

“For not realizing my status. I'm really sorry.” Bella spoke slowly to emphasize each word coming out of her mouth.

“I want an explanation for last night and I want it now!”

“What I did last night was for my own good. If I was killed last night I wouldn’t need to give birth to your son anymore.”

“You lying bitch!” shouted Charles and grabbing Bella from the shoulders began shaking her back and forth.

Bella understood that it was too much to ask Charles to be reasonable. She silently endured the abuse that without doubt would bring further strain upon her shoulder.

Seeing her pale face, Charles immediately released her.

“Does your shoulder still hurt?”

“Yes.”

“I will ask Abraham to drive you back to the villa.”

“I don’t want to go back.”

He looked at her little hand and his heart suddenly trembled fiercely. He knew very well the reason she refused to go back. It was because Katherine was there.

“All right, then,” said Charles and brought his hand to his throat. For some reason it had gotten dry.

“May I go now?”

“You may.”

“Thank you, my Lord,” she said and walked out.

After she was gone, Charles fell back onto his luxurious leather chair. He looked at the closed door and put his hand put over his chest. Because of Bella, his heart had gotten more painful.

Meanwhile, Beck parked his car in front of the villa hidden deep in the forest. He came out and climbed the stone steps to the towering gate. After he was in, he headed straight to a room on the second floor.

He pushed out of his way whoever tried to stop him in the same way one would sweep autumn leaves away from a path.

“Nick, you bastard!” shouted Beck and kicked the door in.

“What's the matter?” Those were the only words Nick managed to say before Beck’s fist landed on his left eye.

“I warned you to stay away from Bella,” said Beck while he landed more punches on Nick’s face. Nick had to run around the room to avoid being hit.

“Stop it!” he shouted out and raised his hands in front of his face. The sudden urgency in his face made Beck’s fist freeze in the air.

“I didn't want to hurt her,” he said in an apologetic tone.