Chapter 74: For the Common Interest
In a mother's eyes, her own children are perfect, the best, and therefore deserve the best.
Bella looked up, about to say something, but Charles glared at Delilah and said coldly, "Are you trying to ensure our daughter never gets married?" The atmosphere at the dining table instantly turned chilly, as if the temperature of the food dropped.
Delilah remained silent, bowing her head and quietly eating her meal.
Bella let out a derisive laugh, took a deep breath, and looked at Delilah, then at Charles.
"Dad, Mom, I've had enough to eat. I know this is my fate. I'll go register this afternoon, and I won't back out."
Bella finished speaking, then stood up, her gaze filled with a deathly silence. Her expression was calm, with a slight nod, showing more politeness than before. She turned and walked upstairs.
"...," Delilah sighed, also setting down her utensils and heading upstairs.
Charles glanced at her. Was this how a daughter should be when getting married? It felt like someone owed her millions, with that sullen face. It was suffocating to watch.
Taking a deep breath, Charles went to his study.
"Hey, Dad, I'm waiting at the City Hall. Have Bella come over, will you?"
What? Waiting at the City Hall?
"You're not coming to pick her up? At least it's for the registration. How can you let her go alone?"
Charles reproached, his tone filled with blame and displeasure.
Andrew smiled faintly, "Come on, Dad, it's just registration. What's the big deal? I have a meeting in an hour, so hurry up and come over. Otherwise, I won't wait." After speaking, he hung up the phone.
A fierce glint flashed in Charles's eyes. Andrew's words infuriated him. No matter what, Bella was his own daughter. How could she be treated like this? He clenched his fist tightly, slamming it hard on the table. His eyes started turning crimson. "You bastard, just wait. Sooner or later, you'll pay a hefty price."
City Hall.
"Alright, from now on, you're officially a member of our Steele Group."
Andrew handed the marriage certificate to Bella. She took it, her hands trembling slightly, even though she kept silently reminding herself to stay calm.
Andrew sneered, "From now on, you better behave yourself. We'll live for the common interest, and I won't make things too difficult for you."
Common interest? It's laughable. I only care about my own interests.
Bella tightly clenched the marriage certificate in her hand, nodded, and turned to walk outside the City Hall. Charles was waiting for her in the car.
"Let's go, Dad."
"Alright."
Bella sat in the car, tears uncontrollably streaming down her cheeks. Charles's expression was also extremely grim.
Personally escorting his daughter to register with another man was the greatest insult to the Harper family.
"Bel, do you blame me?" Charles's voice was soft, conveying a profound sadness.
"Dad, I don't blame you. I know this is my fate. Don't worry. I will pull myself together and live well, so as not to disappoint you."
Bella wiped away the tears from her face. The sharpness in her eyes through the mist of tears could clearly be seen.
For such a great humiliation, everyone responsible would pay the price...a heavy price.
"I know you're upset. Don't worry. One day, that bastard will pay the price."
Bella's gaze became dull, and she smirked, a mix of helplessness and resentment evident.
Grand Group.
"Time flies. It's already time for work. I should call and ask if Daniel should start production this afternoon."
Amelia sat in her office, talking to herself while rummaging through a pile of documents as if searching for something.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
Amelia looked up and saw Rosetta. She stopped searching through the documents and looked at her seriously.
"You're here early."
"I beat you to it."
Rosetta looked at her with a disdainful gaze. "I used to think you were a decent person, but I didn't expect that you would..." She trailed off, shaking her head lightly.
Amelia laughed coldly after hearing Rosetta's words, a disdainful expression appearing on her face.
"Decent? What kind of person am I, and what is our relationship?"
Amelia's tone was indifferent, as if she didn't take it seriously at all. Her attitude towards Rosetta was filled with contempt.
After speaking, she continued organizing the documents without giving it much thought.
Rosetta, feeling infuriated by Amelia's demeanor, looked at her with a mix of disdain. "Do you have any dignity at all? You're treating your own character as if it doesn't matter."
Amelia feigned confusion, with a slight smile on her face, and looked at her with a condescending gaze. "I don't mind how you see me. That's exactly how I see you. I don't think you matter either, do you?"
Rosetta, becoming even angrier, couldn't help but vent her frustration. "At least I'm not like you, constantly clinging to my cousin. Do you know your own identity?"
Identity? I'm his wife, legally registered.
Unfortunately, it's related to the plan and I can't tell you.
But does it have anything to do with you and your nosiness?
"I know my identity very well, and I hope you know yours too. This is my office, so please leave."
Rosetta, feeling triumphant, responded, "I won't leave. My work hasn't started yet, and I can sit here just fine."
Bold and daring, unbounded by conventions. Coupled with her belief in her relationship with Ethan, she became even more unbridled, looking down on others.
In her mind, at least there was the relationship with her cousin, which, although distant, was better than having no relationship like this Ms. Sophia.
Amelia didn't bother arguing with her at this moment. She stood up, took a contract. Then she walked to Rosetta's side, and whispered in her ear, "Feel free to stay here. I'm going to Ethan's office. It's much better there, and I can catch a glimpse of Mr. Frost." After speaking, she imitated Rosetta's triumphant smile, and walked straight out of the office.
Rosetta angrily watched her leave and muttered, "You're just a sly fox." Then she walked back to her own office.
"She's still not back? It's been an hour already. I have to go and check. What if they're alone together... it's already so unclear."
Rosetta stood up and walked to Ethan's office door, listening for any sound inside. She couldn't hear anything.
She lightly knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
...No response. She knocked a few more times, still no response.
Whatever, I'll just go in and see. The door isn't locked anyway.
She straightened herself up, put on a smile on her face, and pushed the door open. It was empty, no one was there.
It was strange. Where did they go during work hours? And that Sophia, she must be with him.
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