Chapter 975: Offense

Chapter 975: Offense

Mr. Bell's expression shifted slightly. He squinted, and there seemed to

be a hint of speculation in his eyes, as if he were trying to figure out

what Ayan knew.

However, Ayan didn't show any signs of threat; it was more like a

reminder and a suggestion.

Mr. Bell remained silent for a few seconds, and his voice, when he

finally spoke, carried a strong sense of discomfort. He said, "Mr.

Simpson, I don't understand what you mean."

Ayan didn't push further; he merely smiled and spoke in a gentle tone,

"Whether you know or not doesn't really matter, does it? What's

important is that we shouldn't let others control our interests.

Otherwise, the consequences will only get worse."

Ayan's words struck Mr. Bell deeply, especially the part about the

consequences worsening when controlled by others. It plunged him into

deep thought, and his face grew as heavy as a forest shrouded in mist.

Ayan noticed Mr. Bell's reaction, and without revealing his intentions,

he cast a few glances at him. There was a faint smile in his eyes, and

his gentle voice followed, "Mr. Bell, when it comes to collaboration, I

prefer partners who are open and straightforward, rather than those

who are sly and cunning behind the scenes. Such partners, I believe,

are good for a one-time deal, but there won't be a second chance."

Mr. Bell's expression shifted slightly, and he replied with a forced smile,

“I understand your point. I feel the same way. After all, no one wants to

choose a sly and cunning person. But sometimes, people have no

choice, right?"

Ayan raised an eyebrow and gave a slight smile. "So, Mr. Bell, do you

have something you have no choice but to do?"

Mr. Bell hesitated for a moment, not entirely understanding Ayan's

meaning. His expression briefly stiffened, but he managed to smile and

said, "Of course not."

“That's good," Ayan said, his tone remaining calm.

The atmosphere fell into a momentary silence. Ayan's gaze remained

fixed on Mr. Bell without wavering. Mr. Bell, feeling somewhat uneasy,

asked, "Mr. Simpson, why are you staring at me like that?"

Ayan replied, "Oh, it's nothing. I'm just pondering a question.”

"What question?"

"Why, with such a good relationship between you and Mrs. Bell, did you

end up getting a divorce?"

Ayan bluntly voiced the question that had been on his mind, causing

Mr. Bell's face to momentarily stiffen. However, he quickly regained his

composure, knowing that Mrs. Bell had likely shared this information

with Camille. Camille would surely tell Ayan.

Still, Ayan's direct inquiry must have been surprising.

Mr. Bell said, "Ayan, you seem to know everything. I won't beat around

the bush. It's true that my divorce is being used against me by Mr.

Mikkola, and there are some things that are beyond my control.”

Ayan asked, "Is it such a big deal? Why let someone hold it over you?"

“It has a significant impact on us. We've always had good relations with

the outside world. If the divorce were to be exposed, it would come at a

high cost.”

“Is the cost higher than what Mr. Mikkola took from you?" Ayan smiled,

a light and airy smile, as if he were asking Mr. Bell whether he had

really thought it through.

Mr. Bell fell silent once again, but Ayan didn't have the intention to

continue pressing him. In his usual cold tone, he said, "He only knows

about your divorce, right?"

"Of course, we just got divorced..."

Ayan didn't let Mr. Bell finish and interrupted, "So you're quite sure he

only knows about your divorce and is using it as leverage, right?"

"Of course," Mr. Bell's tone was somewhat stern, with an

unquestionable resolve. He said, "Only this."

"Alright, if it's the only threat, then it's just a divorce. Are you going to let

him do as he pleases? What if he finds out another one of your

secrets? How would that play out?"

Ayan curled his lips into a smile, and the look in his eyes seemed to tell

Mr. Bell that he knew much more than just about the divorce, and there

were other things that were even more important to Mr. Bell.

Mr. Bell was completely stunned, his expression stiffening significantly.

His gaze seemed to carry a hint of fear and astonishment.

The two locked eyes for a while. Mr. Bell's expression grew increasingly

solemn, and he appeared quite dim and gloomy.

Ayan paid no attention to his emotions and spoke slowly, “I don't want

to investigate whether someone else leaked this information or if it was

intentionally exposed. I just want to resolve this matter quickly. The

reason I asked you to come here was simply to have a chat with you. At

the same time, I want to let you know that I have enough evidence to

prove that this matter has nothing to do with the Simpson Group or me

personally. Now, I leave the decision to you."

Ayan had another meeting to attend, so he had said everything he

needed to and left the office.

He would be attending a high-level company meeting and naturally

didn't have the time to wait for Mr. Bell to sort things out. However, he

left Kian behind to escort Mr. Bell downstairs.

After Ayan departed, Mr. Bell finally snapped out of his daze. He got up

from the sofa and exuded an indescribable aura. He glanced at Kian

and forced a faint smile, "Kian, please convey to Ayan that I remember

every word he said."

Kian nodded slightly, "Of course, Mr. Bell, I'll convey your message."

Afterward, Kian saw Mr. Bell off. He watched Mr. Bell drive out of the

parking garage and then took the elevator back to the office floor.

As soon as Mr. Bell left the Simpson Group, he received a call from Mr.

Mikkola.

As if he had been aware that Mr. Bell had just left. Mr. Bell didn't think

too much about it. His emotions were quite complicated at the moment,

so he didn't have the mental bandwidth to contemplate other matters.

Mr. Mikkola asked, "Is the meeting over?"

Mr. Bell replied with a subdued "yes" and added, "I'm on my way back."

"How did he say?"

"He didn't say much, just brought up the online issue and asked if it had

anything to do with me."

"How did you respond?”

"Naturally, I said it had nothing to do with me. This situation caught me

by surprise as well." Mr. Bell was honest because he genuinely didn't

know. Thus, he told the truth.

Mr. Mikkola chuckled faintly, "Does he believe you?"

"l don't know."

"So apart from this, did you discuss anything else?"

"No."

Mr. Bell concealed many aspects of his conversation with Ayan and had

no intention of sharing them with Mr. Mikkola. Ayan's warnings had also

started to weigh on his mind, and he began to feel uneasy. If things

continued as Ayan had suggested, what would the consequences be?

Therefore, he instinctively chose to keep these details from Mr. Mikkola.

Ayan had unsettled him with his words.

Mr. Mikkola, however, didn't press further and cryptically remarked, “Mr.

Bell, one cannot have it both ways, wouldn't you agree?"

Mr. Bell couldn't decipher the meaning behind these words, so he

couldn't provide a response. He simply told Mr. Mikkola that they could

discuss it further once he returned to the hotel.

In a span of about twenty minutes or so, however, everything changed

drastically.

Mr. Bell had not yet returned to the hotel when he received a call from

Mrs. Bell. She was furious and demanded, "What do you mean by this?

Are you trying to completely cut off your ties in Hance? By doing this,

you're antagonizing Ayan and the Simpson Group. It's like you're

digging your own grave!"

Mr. Bell couldn't comprehend the meaning behind her words, as he had

been interrogated without rhyme or reason. Moreover, the earlier

conversation with Ayan and Mr. Mikkola had been quite heavy, which

had made him tense. His tone had naturally lost its usual warmth, and

he responded coldly, "What did I do now? I haven't done anything. You

can't think I owe you everything just because of one matter."