Chapter 45 Provocation from a Mistress
Bella just shrugged off Zoey's suggestion; she never bought into the idea that Sterling actually loved her.
She figured Sterling's frantic search for her last night was just for show, keeping up appearances for the media since they were still technically married.
The online buzz kept growing, but Sterling stayed silent.
The only thing people heard about Sterling was how much he dropped at some charity event recently.
While scrolling through the news, Bella stumbled upon a headline that made her heart skip a beat: #Young Tycoon Actually a Domestic Violence Jerk.#
The news photo showed Bella lying in a hospital bed, looking pale and out of it. The article hinted that her hospital stay might be because Sterling had been rough with her.
Seeing the photo, Bella remembered the creep she caught spying on her at the hospital. That guy must've been snapping pics on the sly; definitely a reporter.
Bella tried to defend Sterling in the comments, but her words got buried under a tidal wave of internet hate.
That was just how it went; nobody cared about the truth. They just wanted to blow off steam and find someone to trash online.
Then, a certain ID caught Bella's eye. This person was going off on the trolls in the comments.
If she wasn't mistaken, that was Anna's usual handle. Even though Anna hadn't reached out since the news broke, her stance was clear.
Bella remembered Anna's words: "Those who judge and insult others online are just losers struggling in life. They're like bugs in human skin, hiding in dark corners to slander others."
Bella stopped doom-scrolling. With Christmas Eve around the corner, she and Zoey got busy decorating the Christmas tree.
When Zoey placed the gift boxes under the tree, she nudged Bella to call Sterling. If she was at a loss for words, she could send him a pic of the decorated tree to break the ice.
Bella hesitated but then went to her room and dialed his number. To her surprise, he picked up right away. She steadied herself and asked, "You coming back tomorrow?"
Sterling's voice was groggy, like he just woke up. "Yeah."
And with that one word, the call ended abruptly.
Around noon, Zoey packed her bags and told Bella, "I gotta head home for Christmas tomorrow. Owen will stay, and there are folks in the kitchen. If Mr. Windsor comes back, try to keep him here, okay?"
Bella nodded and saw Zoey off at the villa's gate. She smiled and said, "Got it, Zoey. Thanks."
The next day, Christmas was in full swing, and the festive vibes were everywhere.
Bella sat on the couch, waiting for Sterling. But as the hours ticked by, he still hadn't shown up. She took her meds and felt a bit sleepy, so she dozed off on the couch.
When Bella woke up, it was already evening, and Sterling still wasn't back.
Just then, Owen walked over and asked, "Mrs. Windsor, should I call Mr. Windsor again?"
Before Bella could answer, her face suddenly changed because she heard Debra's voice at the door.
"Sterling, I'm here to spend the holiday with you. Will Bella be upset?" Debra's voice was dripping with that fake sweetness.
Bella's heart skipped a beat; she couldn't believe Sterling had brought Debra home on Christmas!
"If you were really worried, you wouldn't have come," Sterling's voice had a chilly edge to it.
Debra pouted. "Naughty."
Owen glanced at Bella, then at Debra, and frowned.
Owen stepped up and said to Sterling, "Mr. Windsor, the staff who wanted to go home have already left."
Sterling pulled out a card and handed it to Owen. "This is for you. Thanks for all your hard work this year."
Sterling did this every year; he was always generous with the staff. Owen didn't refuse. "It's my duty."
Owen took the card and turned to leave, taking the remaining staff to prep dinner for the family.
The food was quickly set on the table, and Sterling sat down with Debra.
Bella took a deep breath and joined them at the table. She was Sterling's wife, but he was sitting so close to Debra, making her feel like the third wheel.
"Bella, my parents went abroad for vacation, and I was so bored alone, so I came to spend Christmas with Sterling. You don't mind, do you?" Debra fiddled with the huge diamond ring on her finger, her smile oozing with provocation.
"This house belongs to Sterling. If he doesn't mind, I am okay with that," Bella said, not even looking at her, keeping her head down and eating.
Debra didn't see any anger on Bella's face, which made her feel unsatisfied.
"Bella, but you seem unhappy," Debra kept pushing.
Bella took a deep breath, frowned, and looked at Debra. "Didn't your parents teach you that it's really rude to bother people while they're eating?"
Debra's smile froze.
Sterling suddenly stood up and headed upstairs. "I'm not hungry. I'll be in the study."
Debra obediently nodded. "Okay."
As soon as Sterling left, Debra's tone changed. "Bella, you really are something. Or do you not care about Sterling at all? Are you still thinking about James? If that's the case, why don't you divorce Sterling and let us be together?"
Bella looked at Debra and sneered. "Sterling will never fall for a fool like you. He's just playing with you."
Everyone around Sterling knew that the power to initiate a divorce was always in his hands. Only an idiot like Debra would misunderstand.
Debra gritted her teeth in anger. "What do you mean? You clearly don't care about Sterling, do you?"
Bella had no interest in arguing with this foolish woman. She wiped her mouth and said, "I'm done eating. Take your time."
Debra was so mad she couldn't eat. She decided to get back at Bella.
Debra went upstairs to the study and said to Sterling, "Sterling, I think Bella doesn't like you at all. I thought she'd be mad when I came today, but she wasn't at all. She even seemed happy. Sterling, do you think Bella still can't forget her first love, James? After all, he was her first man."
Hearing Debra's words, Sterling's face instantly turned cold. He lit a cigarette. "She is mine. No one can take her away."
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