Chapter 351 Time Changes

Thinking about what to have for dinner, Anna decided to whip up a simple pot of noodles. However, her cooking skills left much to be desired, and the noodles ended up sticking together in the pot. 

Despite this, when she brought the somewhat "unique" noodles out of the kitchen, Bella greeted her with a warm smile, showing no sign of disdain.

"Anna, your cooking is getting more 'distinctive' by the day," Bella teased, picking up her fork to try the "special" dinner.

Anna laughed awkwardly. "Yeah, I know my noodle game isn't as strong as yours. But hey, it might not look great, but it should still taste okay."

Bella shook her head with a smile and took a bite. Despite the noodles being a bit overcooked, she showed no sign of displeasure.

After dinner, Bella and Anna sat together as usual, watching TV shows and enjoying their rare leisure time. Suddenly, Bella seemed to remember something, her eyes showing a hint of unease.

"Anna, I just remembered something," Bella said, turning to look at Anna.

"What is it?" Anna asked curiously, putting down the remote.

"A certain someone gave me a secret recipe. I think we should use it; I don't like to waste people's kindness," Bella said, pulling out a small, yellowed piece of paper from a nearby drawer, covered in ingredients and steps.

"I think he must have gotten this recipe from that top pastry chef. After all, it's a good thing." She knew that the recipe was not just a dessert recipe but also a token of Sterling's affection for her.

Sterling was a special presence in her life. Despite the many ups and downs they had gone through, the feelings remained.

Anna's laughter was like a breeze, instantly dispelling the room's heavy atmosphere. She looked at Bella with a teasing smile. 

"When did you start making excuses for yourself? You were so adamant about not using it at first, and now you've changed your mind? Honestly, after all these years, it's hard to say who owes whom between you and Sterling."

Bella was amused by Anna's words but didn't respond to her friend's teasing. She knew that her decision to use the recipe was purely because of its allure, not directly related to Sterling. She just wanted to try making the dessert to see if it met her expectations.

"Alright, Anna, stop teasing me," Bella said with a smile, putting the ingredients aside. "I know what I'm doing and understand my intentions. I just want to try the recipe, nothing more."

"Okay, since you've decided, I'll fully support you," Anna said, patting Bella's shoulder with a tone of determination and encouragement.

Suddenly, a rapid phone ringtone broke the cheerful atmosphere in the living room. Anna glanced at the caller ID, a smile tugging at her lips. 

She quickly answered the call, her tone playful and teasing. "What's up? Checking in on me again?"

The person on the other end was clearly amused by her tone, laughing heartily. "Anna, you're getting bolder with your words. Got any plans tonight? I want to take you out for dinner."

"Colin, what are you up to now?" Anna stretched her words, her tone filled with curiosity and caution.

Knowing Colin was in town, she casually asked if there were any plans. To her surprise, Colin did have something in mind. "I was thinking of hitting up a bar. Want to join?"

Anna immediately agreed. She and Colin were kindred spirits in this regard, both enjoying the occasional bar visit to unwind. After hanging up, she turned to Bella and invited her. "Bella, want to come along? Remember the bar from last time?"

Bella's mind flashed back to the last time at the bar, where she had run into Sterling. The memory made her uneasy, and she wasn't fond of the noisy bar environment anyway. She shook her head and declined. "No thanks, you go ahead. I'm not a fan of those places."

Anna didn't push further, knowing Bella's personality. If she didn't want to go, she had her reasons. She patted Bella's shoulder and smiled. "Alright, you stay home and rest. I might be back late, don't wait up."

Bella nodded in understanding. She knew Anna loved freedom and excitement, and an occasional bar visit was normal. She reminded her, "Okay, stay safe. If it's too late, call me to pick you up."

Anna pushed open the bar door, the lively music greeting her. She quickly spotted Colin's booth. However, as she approached, she froze. Not only was Colin there, but Sterling was also present, chatting and laughing with friends.

Her heart skipped a beat, almost failing to react. She had nearly forgotten about Sterling's visit to the local company, and now she was unexpectedly running into him here. Anna breathed a sigh of relief, thankful she hadn't dragged Bella along, which would have made things awkward.

She adjusted her expression to appear more natural, then walked over to the booth with a smile. "Colin, what are you doing here? And Mr. Windsor, what a coincidence."

Anna sat next to Colin, trying to look relaxed. She picked up a glass from the table, taking a sip to mask her inner turmoil.

"Mr. Windsor, I didn't expect to see you here. Are you here to inspect the company?" she asked, feigning calm.

Sterling nodded. "Yes, I'm here to check on the company's operations. Colin happened to be here too, so we decided to come together."

Anna sat in the booth, feeling a mix of emotions. Knowing the history between Sterling and Bella, she couldn't help but feel some resentment towards Sterling.

That night, leaving the Windsor Villa, Bella had cried so hard she nearly passed out. The scene was still vivid in Anna's mind, making it hard to let go.

However, time had passed, and Bella had gradually moved on from that relationship, her mindset becoming more balanced. Anna understood that confronting Sterling wouldn't help and might complicate things further.
Entwined Love and Hate: The CEO's Beloved
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