Chapter 82 Do You Want to Escape?
Bella got where Sterling was coming from.
From a business angle, giving money to Dash was like throwing it away. Better to donate it to charity and at least get some good PR.
"Got it. I'm heading upstairs," Bella said, making her way up. After a morning full of medical tests, she needed some rest.
Back in her room, she pulled out her phone and called Mira.
Mira sounded super excited when she picked up. "Bella, got any good news? Did you talk to Sterling?"
Bella, sounding pretty indifferent, replied, "Yeah, I talked to him, but he didn't go for it."
Mira felt a wave of disappointment, but Bella quickly filled her in on the details.
"Sterling said Dash has zero business investment value. He's too arrogant and won't let people with real business acumen take charge. If he could change, maybe there'd be a slim chance," Bella said before hanging up. She knew Mira would get the hint.
Mira got the picture. She didn't know much about business, but she trusted Sterling wasn't lying.
This might be their only shot.
Mira rushed downstairs, found Dash, and told him what Sterling had said.
To her surprise, Dash didn't reflect on his mistakes; he just mocked Sterling's judgment.
"Sterling's just a young guy. What does he know about business? I've been in this game for over 40 years. Do I need him to teach me how to do business?" Dash sneered.
Mira finally realized Dash was not just arrogant but also a fool.
Just then, Debra walked in.
"Dad, Mom, what are you talking about?" Debra asked, sensing Mira's anger.
Mira turned to her, hoping Debra could talk some sense into Dash.
She repeated Sterling's assessment of Dash to Debra, but what happened next made her feel even more hopeless.
"Mom, I don't believe Sterling said that. Did Bella tell you this? You can't trust that bitch! I'll get rid of her sooner or later!" Debra spat out, her face twisted with jealousy.
Mira was now completely desperate.
Debra wasn't focused on business at all. She was consumed with jealousy towards Bella.
Mira looked coldly at Dash. "This young Sterling you talk down about owns a business empire hundreds of times bigger than yours! What makes you think you know more than him?"
Dash was fuming.
"You don't get it! Why does Sterling have such a huge empire? It's because his parents left him a massive inheritance when they died! My parents left me next to nothing. If I had that kind of money, I'd be just as successful as him!" Dash yelled, pointing angrily at Mira.
Debra walked over and took Dash's arm. "Exactly, Mom, don't listen to Bella's nonsense! Dad's just as good as Sterling; he just needs the right resources."
Mira waved her hand, clearly disappointed. "Fine, you two keep living in your delusional world. I'm done with this."
She stormed back to her room and slammed the door, leaving Debra and Dash in the living room, still griping about Sterling and Bella.
The next day, Bella went to work as usual. But as soon as she got to the company, she saw James.
"James, what are you doing here?" she asked nervously, glancing around.
This was Micah's turf, after all. If Micah saw James, he'd probably tell Sterling, and then Sterling would get mad, and they'd end up fighting again.
"I need to talk to you," James said quietly.
Bella noticed he looked pretty down.
"Let's talk over there." She pointed to a nearby coffee shop.
James nodded and followed Bella into the coffee shop. They got a private room and sat down.
James hesitated for a moment, then asked, "How have you been? Is everything okay with you and Sterling?"
Bella shrugged and tried to joke. "As long as he doesn't see you, we're fine, like friendly strangers. But if he finds out we're meeting alone, he'll go ballistic."
James didn't laugh. He looked straight at Bella and asked, "Do you really love Sterling?"
Bella's smile faded.
"Why do you care?" Bella asked.
James suddenly grabbed her hand, looking very serious.
"If I told you I still love you, would you run away with me to another country?" James's words made Bella's heart race.
For the old Bella, this would have been a huge temptation. Ever since she got pregnant, she'd wanted to leave Sterling.
But now, Bella hesitated.
"Sorry, James, I don't get what you're saying. You know what that would mean." Bella sighed and pulled her hand away.
A flicker of sadness crossed James's face. "I don't love Amara, and I hate being trapped by family expectations. I just want to follow my heart!"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
