Chapter 58 Sterling's Warning
Bella had a hunch there might be folks hanging around Sterling, but she didn't expect a whole crowd.
"Is this lovely lady Sterling's wife?" Ian teased, giving Bella a once-over.
Bella knew how to play the game. She flashed a bright smile and nodded at the clients in the private room. "Hey everyone, I'm Bella, Sterling's wife. Just here to drag my hubby home."
"Sterling, your wife's here to keep an eye on you. Guess we'll have to save the drinks for another time. I'll hook you up with some hotties then," a client joked, grinning.
Sterling got up from his chair, pointed at the client, and laughed, "You jerk, you just can't stop messing with me. Get lost."
The room burst into laughter as Sterling walked over to Bella and slung an arm around her shoulder.
"We've had enough booze and business for today. Time to head home. Later, everyone. We'll catch up next time." Sterling waved and left the hotel with Bella.
On the way to the parking lot, Bella kept her head down, mulling over how to bring up the issue with Anna's family.
Once Ryan pulled the car out of the lot, Bella finally decided to speak up.
But Sterling beat her to it.
"If you're thinking of asking me to help the Powell Family, don't bother. I won't do it," Sterling said, his tone icy.
Bella got anxious. "Why not? With your clout, it should be a piece of cake."
Sterling frowned at her. "First off, I'm a businessman! Last time, I waived the Powell Family's penalty, and it cost me a fortune. I don't owe them anything. Besides, think about it, do you really believe the Powell Family is just unlucky?"
Sterling's words left Bella speechless.
"What do you mean? Do you know what really happened with the Powell Family's bankruptcy?" Bella asked, her voice urgent.
Sterling glanced at her, his tone cold. "Think about it. Why would a thief off himself after stealing something? Even if what he stole was worth ten times more, the court wouldn't give him the death penalty. And he didn't try to sell the stolen goods; he just destroyed the batch of gemstones. That doesn't add up for a thief."
Bella was floored, Sterling's words hitting her like a bolt of lightning.
"Are you saying the thief had a grudge against the Powell Family? So, if we figure out who has it in for them, we can get to the bottom of this?" Bella asked eagerly.
Sterling shook his head. "If you can think of that, so can the cops. The key here is, if the thief really had a grudge, he wouldn't go through all that trouble. He could've just taken out the Powells. Like your friend Anna, who's always out and about, she'd be an easy target."
Sterling's words sent a chill down Bella's spine. If he was right, Anna could be in serious danger.
"The killer might be trying to wreck the Powell Family's business first, then go after the family. Anna's in serious danger; I gotta find her," Bella said, urging Ryan to pull over.
Ryan didn't need Sterling's nod to know what to do.
"Mrs. Windsor, please chill. Ms. Powell's probably in a risky spot right now. You won't be much help, and if you get hurt, Mr. Windsor will freak out." Ryan's words made Sterling's lips twitch into a brief smile before he masked it.
Ryan had voiced what Sterling was thinking, but he kept his icy facade.
Bella knew she couldn't break free from Sterling's grip. She anxiously pulled out her phone and shot off messages to Anna and Caleb.
Soon, Ryan pulled up to the hotel where Sterling was staying.
"I'm beat. Let's crash here tonight and head back tomorrow," Sterling said, getting out of the car with Bella.
Bella followed him to his room. There was only one bed, and her cheeks flushed a bit. Even though they often shared a room, being in a hotel brought back memories of the last time.
"I'll get another room. You might not sleep well," Bella said, trying to leave, but Sterling grabbed her arm.
"You're not going anywhere tonight. You're staying here," Sterling said firmly, pulling Bella into the room and pushing her onto the bed.
"This hotel's owned by one of my clients. If he finds out my wife and I are in separate rooms, it'll mess with my business," Sterling said, heading to the bathroom for a shower.
Bella bit her lip and stayed quiet. After Sterling finished his shower and came out in a bathrobe, she went into the bathroom.
Late at night, they lay in bed, the room pitch dark. Bella was still worried about Anna and couldn't sleep.
Suddenly, Sterling's phone buzzed. Curious, she peeked at it, thinking it was urgent work stuff, but it was a message from Debra.
Debra: [Sterling, I miss you so much. When are you coming to see me? You haven't come to see me for days. I miss you so much I have no appetite.]
Bella frowned and hesitated before picking up Sterling's phone. She tried a password and, to her surprise, it worked.
Bella smirked and sent a message to Debra.
Bella: [Sterling's asleep. If you got something to say, you can tell me.]
Debra: [Who are you? You're not Sterling? Wait, are you Bella?]
Bella: [Is it that hard to guess? I'm his wife, lying next to him, using his phone to message you.]
Debra: [You bitch, give the phone back to Sterling!]
Debra quickly retracted the message, realizing that although Bella was on the other end, she was using Sterling's phone and didn't want Sterling to see her rude side.
Bella: [Even through the phone, I can feel your disgusting flirtation. God, it's so gross. I'm going to sleep with your Sterling now.]
Bella finished and put the phone on silent. As she turned her head, she saw Sterling's bright eyes watching her.
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