Back at the Salvador Corporation, Justin sat quietly in his office, lost in thought as he stared at the
computer screen. With each click of the mouse, a new photo appeared, featuring a single protagonist-a
beautiful woman with a radiant smile and an elegant demeanor-Bella.
These photos were the result of Ianâs surveillance of Bella over the past few days. Originally, he
intended to gather intelligence from the KS Group, but Bellaâs side proved to be exceptionally secretive.
Ian only managed to capture these everyday scenes.
As Justin repeatedly browsed through the photos, his gaze deepened. It was as if, by looking at them
multiple times, the figures in the pictures would come to life. If they were on paper, they would probably
have developed a vintage charm.
Suddenly, his phone on the table vibrated consecutively. Justin finally snapped back to reality, picked
up the phone, and focused on the screen.
Seeing the messages, Justin felt his heart drop. He abruptly stood up from his leather chair, grabbing
his suit jacket before rushing out the door.
*
Ralph and Bella arrived at the barbecue restaurant.
It had been a long time since Bella had met with Ralph, and the siblings had plenty to catch up on
along with drinks.
After three rounds of drinks, Bellaâs eyes were slightly glazed. She suddenly leaned in and asked,
âRalph, spill it. When are you going to bring back a sister-in-law for me?â
âUgh, not you too! My mom is already nagging me about this. Besides, my job is so tiring and
dangerous. Why would I want to find someone in the same line of work? We both need to live a good
life, right?â Ralph looked nonchalant, quietly pouring out the leftover alcohol in front of Bella and
replacing it with mineral water.
Bella pouted in frustration. âWhatâs with the men in our family? None of you are settling down. Itâs
annoying! I donât even have a sister-in-law to care for or a nephew to play with. Itâs so frustrating!â
Hearing this, Ralph teased Bella. âWith so many brothers doting on you, arenât you content? Arenât you
afraid that if your brothers get married, we wonât have as much energy to pamper you?â
âStop pampering me so much! Itâs because of you guys that I didnât have a boyfriend until after I
graduated from college! During school, you knew I liked chocolate, so you bought all the chocolates in
the campus supermarket every day and waited for me at the school gates after class. Every boy in our
school thought you guys were my boyfriend! Because of you guys, I still havenât had a proper first love!â
Bellaâs cheeks turned red. When she drank too much, she tended to bring up old times. It was a
Thompson family trait.
âBecause of the chocolates I got for you, my mom thought I was dating someone in school. She sent
people to stop me at the school gates and claimed that she caught me red-handed. Then she gave me
a good beating when I got home!â Ralph winced at the memory.
Bella blinked in surprise. âDid that happen? I have no memory of it.â
She continued, âWhy didnât you explain to your mom? You could have told her that those snacks were
for me!â
âThat was right before the college entrance exam. She even went to the school to meet with the
principal and my homeroom teacher, asking them to keep a close eye on me so that I wouldnât get
distracted during my exams.â
Ralph smirked. âIâm clearly innocent, but my mom thinks that Iâm a playboy. Donât you think itâs unfair?â
Bella teased him. âWell, you donât exactly look innocent.â
âAround that time, the school did a poll on the best-looking students. I donât know who put my picture
up, but I ended up winning first place. Suddenly, I was surrounded by those infatuated girls everywhere
I went, and my locker was either filled with gifts or love letters. It was so damn annoying!â Ralph
complained.
He smiled and continued, âSo, I just went with the flow. With my momâs controlling nature, she cleared
the path for me.â
4
huh?â
âSo, you used me as a shield to ward off your love troubles? Youâve got some nerve, Bella furrowed her
eyebrows and lightly flicked his forehead with her fingertip.
Ralph playfully stuck out his tongue. âAnyway, I donât want to get married. With my current career,
anyone marrying me would basically be a widow. Thatâll be a miserable life for them.â
Bella nodded in agreement. âYeah, same here.â
âYou should get married, though. The last time Christopher came to our house, he seemed quite
interested in you. That night, his eyes were practically glued to you. Why not consider him?â
Suddenly, Ralph leaned close to her ear and said mysteriously, âBut I noticed how pale his complexion
is. Do you think heâs sick?â
Bella was left speechless upon hearing this.
âTo be honest, money isnât something we lack in our family, but you must find a healthy partner with
excellent genetics, someone who can carry on the legacy of the Thompson family,â Ralph said with
utmost seriousness.
âI donât care if heâs sick, as long as heâs not sick in the head.
])
Bella smiled. Whether it was embarrassment or the effects of drinking too much, her rosy cheeks
flushed even more.
As Ralph and Bella exited the restaurant, Steven had already parked the car at the entrance.
Seeing Bella leaning on Ralph with a flushed face, Steven hurriedly came over to assist her.
âDonât touch her.â
Ralphâs right arm tightened around Bellaâs shoulders as his left arm forcefully kept Steven at bay. He
spoke coldly, âIâve got this. You donât have to touch her.â Steven stood frozen and pressed his lips
together in embarrassment.