Chapter 85 Don't Get Any Funny Ideas
Tristan dragged Bella up to the top floor living room, his private retreat where no one dared to tread without his say-so.
Bella was a mess on the couch, sobbing her heart out. "Tristan, why are you doing this to me? What does she have that I don't? At least I love you, but her? She's just after your cash!"
Her words cut deep. Tristan shot back, "You're aiming at the wrong person."
Katniss had just reached the top of the stairs and caught his words, feeling a knot in her stomach.
"She's just a tool," Tristan added.
'So, I'm just a tool,' Katniss thought, biting her lip and regretting coming up here.
But maybe it was for the best. It helped her see things clearer and know her place.
She clutched the card tighter, forcing a shaky smile as tears streamed down her face.
She turned and headed back downstairs.
Upstairs, Bella and Tristan were still locked in their showdown. Bella, trying to keep it together, said, "Tristan, I shouldn't have lost it on you, but I can't stand seeing you with another woman! Have you thought about what happens if things go south and you cut her off? She might come after you! What if she gets pre..."
Bella's rant came to a screeching halt, unsure if Tristan knew about Katniss's pregnancy. Saying it out loud could blow things up.
"I'm worried she might screw over the company or hurt you," Bella backpedaled.
"She won't." Tristan's cold lips formed the words, "It's late, you should head back and get some rest. Think about how to break it to Grandma so she agrees to the divorce."
With that, he turned and headed to his room, his broad back radiating cold determination.
Bella chased after him, wrapping her arms around his solid waist. "Tristan, I'm not leaving. Take me! I don't care that you're married, I don't care about anything, I just want to be with you! Don't go to Katniss anymore!"
She fumbled with his shirt buttons, trying to undo them but failing miserably.
Tristan grabbed her hands and turned around.
Before he could say anything, his phone rang, cutting through the tension.
He freed one hand to answer, "Yeah?"
After a few words from the other end, Tristan glanced at Bella and asked, "Michael's offering you a ride home. You want it?"
"No!" Bella shook her head frantically.
Tristan let go of her hands, and she immediately turned and stormed downstairs to the guest room.
"Michael, you gotta end this deal; it's not doing Bella any favors," Tristan said, heading back to his room, his eyes dark and brooding.
Michael's voice crackled through the phone, "I get it, just give her a bit more time."
Tristan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring out. "You better get it. Don't get any funny ideas."
Michael's tone dropped. "I know."
After hanging up, the room fell silent. What really bugged Tristan wasn't Bella's tears or Michael's call.
It was the look on Katniss's face when she got the card in the car, that tiny smirk.
He wanted to rip off her mask and see if she was really that thrilled just to get the cash!
Bella's words echoed in his mind: "Have you ever thought about what if your relationship ends, and you don't give her money anymore..." He frowned deeply.
A night of rain washed away the drama from the night before.
Katniss seemed unfazed by Tristan treating her like a tool and got up early.
When Tristan came downstairs, he saw her serving Adelaide, who was sipping tea and reading the paper in the yard.
He wiped the cold look off his face, keeping it neutral, and walked over slowly.
"Morning, Grandma." He sat down next to Adelaide.
Katniss gave a slight nod, "Mr. Forbes."
He ignored her and went straight to Adelaide. "How do you want to celebrate your birthday this year? I'll get someone to plan it."
"Check with your dad if they're coming back. If they are, we'll have a big bash. If not, we'll keep it low-key." Adelaide put down the paper and seemed to remember something. "When does Eudora graduate?"
Tristan squinted, watching the busy servants in the yard. "Soon."
"Then I guess they'll come back after Eudora graduates, probably missing my birthday. Let's keep it simple." Adelaide stood up and stretched.
After a moment, Tristan turned to Katniss, "Handle Grandma's birthday party, same as usual."
"Yes, Mr. Forbes." Katniss replied, glancing at him. He was in light gray loungewear.
The sunlight hit him, but it couldn't melt the chill he gave off.
"Grandma Forbes!" Bella burst out of the house, looking nothing like the wreck she was last night, and grabbed Adelaide's arm. "Your birthday can't be simple this year. My parents are dying to come to your party. We need to sit down and talk about some things."
She shot a shy glance at Tristan.
Tristan looked at Adelaide, waiting for her to say something.
'What could they possibly discuss? It's gotta be about Bella and Tristan,' Katniss thought, realizing there were only about ten days left until Adelaide's birthday bash.
"Well, that makes sense," Adelaide suddenly changed her tune. "Katniss, send out invites to the families close to the Forbes. Make sure they know there's a big announcement on my birthday."
Bella lit up, shooting Katniss a smug look. "Katniss, what are you standing around for? Didn't you hear Grandma Forbes?"
Katniss swallowed her emotions, her voice trembling a bit. "Yes, Mrs. Forbes."
"Tristan, come with me later to pick out a gift for Grandma Forbes. I can't decide on my own." Bella sidled up to Tristan, placing her hand on his shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.
Tristan replied softly, "Okay."
Adelaide didn't say anything, seeming to have accepted the situation.
"Since Mr. Forbes isn't going to the office later, I'll head out now." Katniss couldn't take it anymore and needed to get out of there.
Before Tristan could respond, Bella jumped in. "You go ahead and handle the two internal meetings this morning. Tristan won't have the time."
Katniss took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay."
The car ride was a far cry from last night, but memories lingered as it sped down the highway.
The fresh scent of earth after the rain blew in through the half-open window, messing up Katniss's long hair.
It was still early, so she had time to swing by Oakwood Hills to change clothes. Strangely, she felt unusually calm after leaving the Forbes Mansion.
With Tristan not coming to the office, she had to juggle a ton of business matters, keeping her super busy.
She also had to prep for Adelaide's birthday party. Usually, it was a low-key affair with just a few Forbes relatives having a meal at a hotel.
But this time, they were inviting families close to the Forbes, making it a bigger deal than usual.
Later, she got a call from Adelaide who asked her to personally deliver the invites to show sincerity and respect.
One of the invited families was the Nicholas family. When she delivered the invite to the Kennedy family, Nicholas happened to be there.
"Katniss, I didn't expect that you would come personally. Looks like Grandma Forbes is planning a big shindig this year." Nicholas took the invite and handed it to his mom, Ellen Branpia.
Ellen, taking the invite, said, "Isn't it obvious? It must be because the Astor family's daughter is back, and they're planning to discuss the marriage."
Then, Ellen looked at Katniss and asked, "Is that right?"
"I'm not sure," Katniss smiled. Even though she had the same hunch, Adelaide hadn't spilled the beans, so she couldn't either.
Nicholas gave Katniss a once-over, noticing her calm demeanor, and raised an eyebrow.
"Of course, that's it. When you see Adelaide, give her my congrats in advance," Ellen said, already convinced.
Katniss just smiled and made her exit. As she turned to leave, Nicholas followed her out.
"Katniss, are you upset?" Nicholas asked.
Out of politeness, Katniss slowed her steps. "Mr. Kennedy, you're joking. I have nothing to be upset about."
Nicholas chuckled. "You're starting to sound like Tristan. I don't buy that you have no feelings for him."
Katniss stopped, listening to him, then smiled. "Mr. Kennedy, you must be busy. I have more invites to deliver, so I'll be going."
"I think there's something off with Bella and Tristan," Nicholas said, blocking her way and leaning against her car door.
She paused, surprised. "What do you mean?"
Nicholas, hands in his pockets, grinned. "Just what I said. Katniss, hang in there. I think you'll find happiness after the storm, with a surprise."
He stepped aside. "Hurry up; see you at Grandma Forbes's birthday party."
"Okay." Katniss couldn't decipher Nicholas's cryptic words and figured he was just talking nonsense.
She delivered invites to several other families, all of whom asked if Adelaide was going to announce Bella and Tristan's relationship at the party.
She didn't give a straight answer.
Only the Tudor family didn't ask, firmly believing that Adelaide had given her blessing to Bella and Tristan and was going to announce the good news.
For three days, she was swamped.
Meanwhile, Tristan was spending time with Bella, and the media snapped plenty of photos of them together. But this time, the media played it smart.
They directly contacted the PR department to settle things with money, knowing that this marriage was inevitable and reporting it now would ruffle feathers.
Among the small tasks Katniss handled for Tristan was checking the company's suggestion box. She opened it every Saturday before leaving work to see if there were any letters.
Unexpectedly, she found a special letter. She opened it and, after a quick glance, her pupils contracted sharply.
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