Justin gasped to himself.
Bellaâs words cut through him like a knife.
âDespite being from another country, Tyler takes pride in respecting his mentor and the trade. He wonât
compromise his principles for personal gain.â
Bella added with a smirk, âSo you barked up the wrong tree, Ms. Hoffman. Your first mistake was to
think that everybody is as petty as you.
It was clear who was the petty one in the room.
Justin curled his lips subtly. His eyes were calm.
Feeling humiliated, Ryan scowled.
Although Ryan had braced himself for the worst before meeting Bella, she was merciless when she bit.
He did not expect her words to hurt so much.
âYouâre evil, Bella!â
Fuming, Zoe pointed at Bellaâs smiling face. âYou feigned ignorance when I went to Tyler. You knew
Bethany would give the necklace to Ada, and yet you waited until the charity auction to spill the beans.
It was all for Bethanyâs fall from grace. How can you be so wicked, Bella? Must you ruin everybody who
gets in your way?â
Zoe wailed out loud as if she were the victim.
âWhat else am I supposed to do-keep you and Bethany around?â Annoyed by her crying, Bella rolled
her eyes.
âYou!â Zoe was lost for words.
The woman was cocky,
Despite Ryanâs and Justinâs presence in the room, Bella carried on talking smack. Did she not care
about any man in the world?
âYouâre here to apologize, Ms. Hoffman, not point fingers. Is it so hard to own up to your mistake?â
Justin kept his head down for a moment before fixating on Bella. Even if Ms. Thompson doesnât deal
with Bethany, I will sort her out. Iâll make you come here even if your brother doesnât. The outcome
remains the same. What else do you have to say for yourself?â
Bella met the manâs gaze with mixed emotions.
Justin did not seem to hold back on Zoe.
Tsk. Bella decided that his actions did not concern her.
âJustinâ¦â Zoe let tears fall down her cheeks as a wave of heartache and anger washed over her.
The man who once held Zoeâs hand with a sunlit smile in the park was now a stranger, his warmth
replaced by a chilling distance.
Bewitched by Bella, Justin faded into a ghost of his former self.
âHello? Are you apologizing or not?â With her patience running thin, Bella was ready to leave.
âApologize to Ms. Thompson now, Zoe,â Ryan urged.
âIâm sorry,â Zoe hissed through clenched teeth, her voice barely audible.
âSpeak up. I canât hear you.â Bella furrowed her brows commandingly.
âIâm sorry!â
Ryan took strides toward Zoe, pressing her back down so that she would take a humble stance before
Bella.
Unable to fight against her brotherâs strength, Zoe bowed down before Bella. The humiliation was
tearing her up inside.
Zoe thought, âBella, I will make you pay! This is not over!â
âSteve.â Bella rose to her feet.
âYes, Ms. Bella,â Steven responded right away.
âAs mentioned by Mr. Hoffman, the Hoffman Group will address the consequences of Ms. Hoffmanâs
actions. Compile a comprehensive report of all damages, including emotional trauma, for Mr. Hoffmanâs
immediate attention.â