Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)

Chapter 263 Why Are You So Bizarre

A fleeting glimmer crossed the woman's eyes, but it was too quick for anyone to catch.

She remained composed in a situation where most would have shown some discomfort. Instead, she offered her colleague a faint smile, signaling her

understanding.

When Bella returned to Dominic's office, she bumped into Victor, who was just arriving with his assistant. The two were familiar with each other, so after a brief exchange of greetings, they walked inside together.

Dominic and Victor were already deep in a business discussion in the lounge, though Bella found their conversation hard to follow.

Dominic casually pulled her to sit beside him right as she considered stepping away. "Mr. Morse, if you're free this evening, why not join us for dinner? You could bring your wife as well."

Victor's smile stiffened ever so slightly. "My wife doesn't really enjoy going out much. Looks like it'll be just me joining you."

Dominic didn't push the matter. His invitation had been more out of politeness than necessity,

He had done his homework on Victor. His background was complex, and he moved effortlessly between various social circles.

Though Victor had spent many years abroad and wasn't well-known domestically, Dominic knew better than to underestimate him.

One thing was clear-Victor was extremely protective of his wife, Hallie Peck. Beyond knowing they had a strong relationship, little else about her wast public knowledge. It was rare to uncover anything personal, but Dominic had managed to find out that Hallie was a watch collector.

The watch he had sent as a gift wasn't the most expensive, but it was a limited-edition piece that required significant effort to obtain. At their level of wealth, the price tag was often irrelevant. Exclusively was what truly mattered.

Bella couldn't avoid the dinner. For someone who thrived in the focused atmosphere of an operating room, socializing with business magnates was pure agony. The evening stretched on, with her barely managing to get a word in.

Finally, dinner ended. As soon as they got into the car, Bella felt the weight of exhaustion settling in

She let out a big yawn, only to be interrupted by Dominic's low voice. "Was having dinner with me that boring?"

She quickly shook her head. "No, no! It wasn't boring at all. It's just... Well, there were other people there, you know? By the way, why did Victor secretly ask me to check on his health? I still don't get what his deal is."

Dominic thought for a moment. "Probably for the same reason I would do so. People like us always try to learn as much as we can about each other before working together. It's not unusual Besides what's on the surface, you're the only other thing he could've looked into about me."

That explanation made sense, though Bella was surprised Victor had taken the time to personally investigate. He really was a cautious man

Bella didn't bother asking Domine if he had deliberately brought her to the office to meet the woman who had gone with him to buy the watch. She had never doubted his explanation.

From the beginning, she believed him when he said the woman was a new employee at Miller Group-not someone he was secretly involved with The car ride home was quiet, but Bella didn't think much of it.

They had always be

been this way, and truthfully, things were m

more peaceful now than they had been in the past. She was content with that

At least, she thought she was-until Dominic spoke up again, "Do you really like this whole keeping-your-distance thing? Staying close, but never too close?"

Bella blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"

He rephrased more bluntly, "When you like someone, don't you ever want to get close? Why are you s comfortable you seem to get. If I hadn't read your old diary, I'd honestly doubt you even have any feel- Before he could finish, Bella cut him off. "Stop! Stop! Don't bri so bizarre? The n

more ignore

you, the more

up old stuff! Why are you still talking about that? Did you forget what you did back then

The memory of his disgusted expression when he first found her diary still stung

Even after all these years, the thought of it made her feel like she had crossed a line she wasn't forgiven for

supposed to a line that somehow, she had never been

Chapter 26 Will You Believe Me if I Say My Hands Are Just Shaking