Climbing up socially?
Zoe Bell sneered inwardly, Brandon Stone indeed despised her identity as an adopted daughter.
Ever since Mina Bell returned, he had intentionally belittled and suppressed her.
He made it clear:
If she were admired by him, she should feel lucky.
Marrying him was a blessing she had cultivated over several lifetimes, with no right to be picky. She should not be proud but instead try her best to please him.
Meanwhile, Mina Bell bit her lip and added fuel to the fire, "Sister, just because you are unhappy with Brother Brandon doesn't mean you can be ambiguous with other men. This... this isn't good, and mom and dad wouldn't be happy either."
These words ignited Zoe Bell to retort with a laugh, "Mom and Dad wouldn't be happy? You must be quite pleased though."
"I..."
Mina Bell was stunned.
Since she had been acknowledged as a family member and returned home, her interactions with Zoe Bell were limited, probably because of her identity as a foster child, she was not favored in the Bell Family, and thus used to swallowing her grievances.
Mina naturally thought of her as easy to bully, not expecting her to retort sharply.
This caused Mina's pale face to appear quite pitiable.
"What's going on?" In the middle of the argument, Kevin Bell and his wife hurried over.
Vivi Lange saw Mina Bell with teary eyes and quickly inquired what had happened.
"Sister misunderstood my relationship with Brother Brandon and wants to break off their engagement. I was just kindly advising her," Mina Bell said pathetically.
The Bell parents were surprised by her words but secretly pleased.
Vivi Lange frowned, "Enough, discuss this back in the private room. It's not good to talk here in the hallway where everyone is passing by."
Hotel guests had already stopped to watch.
"I'm not going back; I've lost my appetite. I'll go home now," Zoe Bell said. Her leg hurt, and her head ached terribly.
She tried to leave but was once again stopped by Brandon Stone, and the arm he grabbed throbbed with pain.
"Zoe Bell, you think you can just cancel the engagement whenever you wish? What do you take me for?"
"Let go!" Zoe Bell scowled.
"So you really did find someone better? How far have you gone with that other man?"
"You're disgusting, don't assume everyone else is as vile as you!"
"What did you say?"
Brandon Stone had never seen Zoe Bell like this, momentarily stunned.
Probably because of her status as an adopted daughter, her temperament was usually gentle and peaceful, and she rarely argued with others, making him forget the inherent pride inside Zoe Bell.
If he wanted, naturally many girls would throw themselves at him, which he found rather uninteresting.
So even though Zoe Bell wouldn't let him touch or handle her, he was willing to indulge her.
But over time, he had lost his patience.
It was inevitable that people around him mocked him: "Young Master Stone, are you unable? You're engaged yet can't win her over."
In their circles, it was said she had a proud backbone, but in today's society, only money and power mattered; pride and integrity were the least of considerations.
Zoe Bell forcefully broke free from his grasp and said, "Don't touch me. I find you repulsive."
Brandon Stone immediately sobered up, rage burning within him.
As more onlookers gathered, being called dirty by a woman in public was humiliating for him.
The Bell parents could guess what might have happened between their biological daughter and Brandon Stone. If others guessed similarly, then Mina Bell would be labeled as a homewrecker.
They would never allow such a thing to happen.
They wanted their own daughter to marry the man she liked, joyfully and with a clear conscience!
Brandon Stone scoffed, provoked into speaking harshly, "I'm dirty? If you're ambiguously involved with other men, aren't you dirty too?"
Vivi Lange hastily pulled on Zoe Bell, who was about to speak, "Zoe, it's your fault to begin with. Say less, do you want to embarrass yourself even more?"
Zoe Bell was so intelligent; how could she not understand what she meant.
Her foster parents wanted Mina Bell to climb over her.
Even if it meant sacrificing her reputation and making her the target of public scorn, she didn't care.
She always held a sliver of hope, having lived with her adoptive parents for twenty years, that they had some affection for her.
She laughed.
It was just her wishful thinking.
"You still have the nerve to laugh! After all, Brandon is still your fiancé. You disregarded his feelings and got involved with another man, which is already bad enough, but when your sister kindly advised you, how could you not appreciate it?" Vivi Lange frowned.
Kevin Bell said coldly, "It seems we've spoiled you, making you forget your place."
Which meant:
She had the airs of a lady,
but not the status.
If one were to talk about what kind of knife wound hurts the most,
it certainly would be the one delivered by the person closest to you, cutting deep to the bone!
Murmurs were already starting around her; Zoe Bell stood there, her whole body's blood seemed to freeze, leaving her chillingly cold.
She scoffed, "Another man? Just because I picked up a men's coat?"
"We know that you're upset because Mina has been distant with you recently. If you want to call off the engagement, we can discuss it. There are many people here, let's go back to the private room and talk," Vivi Lange said with a frown.
She was also worried about saying too much, potentially stirring up other issues that could be difficult to resolve.
"Mom is right, sis, let's go back," Mina Bell said as she reached forward to pull her hand.
As if she was so understanding.
Zoe Bell bit her lip hard, her already pale face losing even more color.
The moment her hand was touched, almost instinctively, she raised it and pushed Mina Bell away!
Mina Bell staggered a couple of steps, nearly falling.
Vivi Lange quickly steadied her, shocked that Zoe Bell would dare to do such a thing, and glared at her with a cold look, then turned, showing distressed concern for Mina, "How are you? Did you sprain your foot? Are you feeling alright anywhere else?"
"Mom, I'm fine," Mina Bell said, pressing her lips together in aggrievement.
"Zoe Bell, have you caused enough trouble?" Kevin Bell couldn't contain his anger, "Apologize to Mina!"
Zoe Bell's right foot hurt terribly, so much so that her lips turned white, devoid of any color.
Yet, she still stood straight, with no intention of apologizing.
"What? I can't control you anymore? I raised you to adulthood, provided for you, hired the best teachers to teach you dancing, and now that you've found a better place, you dare to disobey?" Kevin Bell's words were both cutting and cruel.
Not only did he call her ungrateful, he also implied her behavior was indecent.
And yet, he painted himself as a paragon of virtue!
"Dad, it wasn't on purpose, there are so many people watching..." Mina Bell tugged at Kevin Bell's sleeve.
"It's better with more people. Let everyone see that it was your fault first," Kevin Bell glared at her, "Apologize to Mina right now, is this how I taught you? Such a disgrace!"
Zoe Bell took a deep breath, about to speak, when she heard a voice come from behind.
"Making such noise in a public place, President Bell does indeed show great manners."
The crowd turned towards the voice, seeing a man whose cold, dark eyes, under the light, reflected a deep-seated fierceness. He was tall, his mere presence imposing, let alone his inherent chilliness.
"Mr. Hale!" Kevin Bell's face stiffened, then quickly put on a placating expression, "What are you doing here?"
"Because I am the one you mentioned…"
"The other man."
The man's voice was hoarse and cold.
Like an undercurrent in the deep sea, quiet and coldly detached.
Standing behind him, Zac Cruz suddenly spoke, "Sir, that's not what they were saying about you."
"Oh?"
"They called you a wild man."
"Is that so?" William Hale's tone was subtly playful, casual.
His gaze was light, untroubled, but just the lifting and lowering of his eyes momentarily pressed the breath out of everyone present.
William Hale's sudden appearance was unexpected for everyone present.
Even Zoe Bell was stunned for a few seconds.
Brandon Stone's face turned deathly pale, given that the term 'misbehaving man' had come from his own mouth.
The Bells' faces became even more embarrassed, while Mina Bell, not recognizing him, looked bewildered yet impressed, for the man before her was truly outstanding.
Young but exuding a maturity and restraint uncommon among his peers.
Broad-shouldered, slim-waisted, tall and long-legged.
Indifferently haughty, like he could handle anything thrown at him.
"Just now, everyone was so certain, why has no one anything to say now?" William Hale said with a genteel tone.
"I merely happened upon Miss Bell and thought, since I've been in business talks with President Stone lately, and knowing that she is engaged to the son of the Stone Family, I saw her dressed thinly on a rainy day and kindly looked after her, not expecting to cause such a misunderstanding," William Hale did not mention the near mishap with Zoe Bell, and offered a simple rationale.
Nobody dared question the truthfulness of his words; with his status, he had no need to lie.
Brandon Stone was rigid all over.
He did remember his father mentioning recent meetings with William Hale and had even told him to behave recently, warning him not to do anything improper and to introduce him to Hale when the opportunity arose.
If he could garner Hale's favor and receive an introduction to the Circle of Capital City or even Hale's support, it would be like a giant leap for the Stone Family.
Who would have thought...
If his father found out about this or if the business cooperation was ruined, his father would likely kill him!
"Mr. Hale, it was a misunderstanding, I was just having a little disagreement with my fiancée," Brandon Stone said, terrified.
At this moment, Kevin Bell also hurriedly clarified, "Since it's a misunderstanding, let's just clear it up. Zoe, you really should've said something when you met Mr. Hale."
Zoe Bell sneered, "I did, no one believed me."
"And I need to correct one thing..."
"Brandon Stone, I am no longer your fiancée!"
Brandon Stone cursed inside.
With William Hale appearing out of nowhere, when so many would stake out at his hotel entrance just for a glimpse and never expect him to personally deliver clothing to someone,
Zoe Bell was on some kind of lucky streak today!
Inside, Brandon Stone was seething with resentment. Zoe Bell really wasn't giving him any face.
Just as the atmosphere turned awkward, Kevin Bell quickly dragged his biological daughter over, "Mina, this is Mr. Hale from Capital City."
Mina Bell's face bore a smile as she spoke in a pinched voice, "Hello, Mr. Hale."
"This is my long-lost daughter Mina Bell, whom I've just reclaimed."
"I've heard, congratulations, President Bell," William Hale said with a neutral expression.
Kevin Bell laughed, "In some time, I plan to throw a welcome back party for my daughter. If Mr. Hale is still in Greenland, we would be honored if you could grace us with your presence."
William Hale did not respond.
His gaze just casually swept over the father and daughter.
After a few seconds, he remarked, "Very much alike."
"Do you think we look alike?" Kevin Bell smiled sycophantically and eagerly, "Everyone says that, that our eyes and eyebrows are the same."
"Mm," William Hale nodded, "Both lacking manners."
"..."
"If you weren't lacking manners, how would you take the initiative to kiss someone else's fiancé?" William Hale's gaze bore down on Mina Bell, "Right, Miss Bell?"
"For a father and daughter who have not reunited for long and never lived together before, to be so alike, could it be..."
"Lack of manners is hereditary?"
Zac Cruz nearly laughed out loud; they had really kicked an iron plate this time.
Mina Bell had never encountered someone as imposing as William Hale and panicked instantly.
Seeking help from her parents with a look of frantic helplessness, she didn't refute, which meant:
What William Hale said was true!
He and Mina Bell were complete strangers and he had no reason to discredit her.
The color drained from the faces of Kevin Bell and his wife in an instant, and although they dared not offend the man before them, they were unsure of the truth of the matter. If they refuted and were contradicted, it would only lead to further embarrassment.
Zoe Bell frowned, he had seen it all?
When did he appear?
Zac Cruz added at this moment, "It's true, I saw it with my own eyes."
Zoe Bell suddenly realized that it must have been his assistant who accidentally heard about the dress and disturbed this god-like figure.
Otherwise, with Mr. Hale's status...
He definitely wouldn't be interested in gossip or making a fuss over things.
He probably disdains listening to others whispering in corners.
"Oh my goodness, Mina Bell kissed Brandon Stone? No wonder Zoe Bell is angry and wants to call off the engagement."
"Brandon Stone is the real sleaze, he's been hanging out with Mina Bell lately, I knew there was something fishy between them, and who knows what they've been up to behind closed doors."
"The Bell Family, in order to protect their biological daughter, actually threw dirt on Zoe Bell, she is pitiable."
...
The surrounding murmurs burst forth, Mina Bell was so anxious she wanted to cry, and Kevin Bell and his wife had ashen faces, dying of embarrassment.
Brandon Stone wished he could find a hole to crawl into!
William Hale, however, didn't care about them at all. He strode over to Zoe Bell, "Miss Bell, I'm really sorry that a piece of clothing has caused you so much trouble."
"You're taking it too seriously," Zoe Bell did not dare to look directly into his eyes, "You had good intentions."
His gaze was too sharp,
Fierce like a wolf or a tiger.
Seemingly calm and nonchalant, he looked like he could devour someone.
William Hale did not stay long. Someone as important as him taking the time to clarify things for her, Zoe Bell was very grateful. Before he left, he said to her,
"Miss Bell, against shameless people, manners are the most useless thing."
This statement both praised Zoe Bell and put down the three members of the Bell Family and Brandon Stone.
——
Because they didn't dare to offend William Hale, even when ridiculed by him, they had to accompany it with a smile.
The meal ended unhappily.
Brandon Stone received a call from his father, telling him to roll back home.
Mina Bell was scared by William Hale, and feeling humiliated by being shamed in public, with people around whispering and criticizing her indecent behavior, tears streamed down as she cried. Kevin Bell and his wife were busy comforting her, naturally they couldn't take care of Zoe Bell, and even when she didn't return home, the Bell Family didn't look for her.
After leaving the hotel, Zoe Bell went straight to the nearby hospital for an IV to relieve the pain.
It was already late, the hospital was quiet with few people around, and she sat alone in the emergency room, her silhouette frail.
It might have really been the rain that made her catch a cold; she felt slightly dizzy, sneezed several times, and then leaned against the back of the chair and fell into a drowsy sleep.
The outside rain provided an enveloping sound, the best lullaby.
Until she felt someone pressing on the back of her hand, and as the IV needle was removed, she felt a bit of pain and opened her eyes groggily to just make out the superior profile of a man, his sharp jawline and Adam's apple; this was...
"Gentle," the man's voice was extremely soft.
Such a soft voice couldn't belong to that powerful figure.
That powerful figure shouldn't be here either.
Zoe Bell, feverish and with a leg pain, drowsy from the sleep-inducing medication in her IV, could barely open her eyes and felt light as a feather, falling into a warm embrace.
Zac Cruz followed behind, holding Zoe Bell's bag, staring as his boss carefully and gently picked her up, treating her with such care and tenderness, that he stood dumbfounded.
"Sir, Miss Bell is technically still engaged; if someone sees..."
Talking idly is bad for everyone.
William Hale glanced at him, his voice cool, "Didn't you hear what she just said? The engagement is off."
Off?
Such a matter couldn't be decided by Zoe Bell alone.
But Zac Cruz didn't dare say any more, for fear of angering William Hale.
In the cold, rainy wind, the hospital was filled with chill, but at this moment, Zoe Bell was wrapped in warmth. Instinctively, she wanted more...
She snuggled into his chest like a little kitten.
William Hale held her tighter, as if he never wanted to let go.
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