Belle staggered back to her room.

She even felt somewhat grateful that Vivian had occupied Victor, giving her the chance to deal with herself.

She sank into the bathtub.

Washing away the traces on her body.

She removed everything from inside her; she had already lost her virginity and couldn't risk getting pregnant.

Belle's mind was a chaotic swirl.

She thought about work, divorce, and gathering evidence of infidelity, but her thoughts kept drifting to Alfred’s sexy, husky breaths...

She submerged herself in the water, using the suffocation to clear her mind.

——

Morning light gently painted the city, streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Victor quietly returned to the room.

He expected Belle to still be asleep, but she was already dressed in a cheongsam, sitting silently at the vanity table, applying makeup.

A flicker of guilt flashed in Victor's deep eyes.

It quickly vanished.

Immediately, his lips curled into a charming, rakish smile as he walked over to the vanity.

He hugged Belle from behind.

Belle watched him through the mirror. “When did you leave? You were gone when I woke up.”

Victor lied smoothly, “I went out around five, went for a run.”

He looked at the high collar of Belle's cheongsam.

With a laugh, he changed the subject, “Belle, aren’t you afraid of getting hot in such a tight dress?”

He tugged at Belle’s collar.

Belle immediately slapped his hand away, brushing on her blush. “Victor, I want to discuss something with you.”

Victor clung to Belle.

No matter how intense his night with Vivian had been, in his heart, Belle was always his favorite.

Women outside were just for show.

Given his current status, staying clean was nearly impossible.

Everyone played with women.

If he didn’t.

Others would think he was pretending, they would fear he might leak something, and he would stand out awkwardly.

He thought.

As long as he didn’t bring it before Belle.

As long as the women outside didn’t threaten Belle’s position.

He was a good husband.

Victor was accommodating, “Wife, just say it. There’s no need to ‘discuss’ with your husband.”

Belle resisted his touch.

She stepped out of his embrace, grabbing her shawl. “I want to go back to work.”

The company was something they had built together six years ago.

Two years ago, Belle had stepped down to take care of her mother, at Victor’s urging, and had been idle ever since.

But now.

After the betrayal.

Belle understood the importance of a woman having a career and financial independence.

Moreover.

She needed to understand the company's cash flow and profits, which were part of their joint property and could be divided in a divorce.

Victor’s eyes darkened at Belle’s request, but he gently asked, “Is the monthly allowance I give you not enough? Starting next month, how about fifty thousand?”

Belle stared at him.

He continued to increase the offer, “Eighty thousand, Belle, I don’t want you to be burdened. The work at the company isn’t as easy as you think, and our priority now is to prepare for pregnancy. You need to take care of your health.”

Belle said, “Victor, I’m very insistent.”

Victor felt a flash of annoyance.

He was tired of coaxing, “Belle, what’s wrong with being a full-time housewife? Have I ever deprived you of anything?”

Belle asked softly, “Victor, why are you so opposed to me going to work? Did you do something to betray me?”

Immediately.

Victor’s expression changed slightly.

His tone grew heavier, “You always imagine things. I’m swamped with work every day. What could I possibly do to betray you?

My love for you is as vast as the heavens. From our courtship to now, how much have I spent on you, how much effort have I put in? Belle, how can you doubt my loyalty?”

Belle hid the deep-seated mockery in her eyes.

She spoke lightly, “Victor, why are you so nervous? I was joking with you.”

Victor, “...”

He turned away in anger, pressing a hand to his temple.

Realizing he had overreacted.

A flash of an unknown emotion crossed his dark eyes, “Fine, you can work. The Business Department needs people.”

The Business Department.

Running errands.

In other words, it meant drinking and being a lackey.

Back then.

When the company was first established.

The two of them ran the business together, getting drunk with investors.

They squatted by the roadside, each hugging a trash can, vomiting until the world spun.

Victor held Belle’s hand tightly and promised, “Belle, once the company is on track, I’ll never let you run the business again. I’ll make you the vice president on equal footing with me and Mrs. Shaw.”

Belle smiled bitterly.

Those words, he must have forgotten them by now.

Belle nodded, “Fine, I’ll go to the Business Department.”

A flicker of reluctance flashed in Victor’s eyes.

But, to dissuade Belle, he had to resort to special measures.

Thinking this.

He felt justified.

Victor adjusted his collar, “I’ll go shower first. Wait for me, and we’ll head back to the Shaw Hall together to pay respects to the elders.”

Ten minutes later.

The newlyweds left the hotel together, catching the elevator just as it opened.

Victor quickened his pace, urging Belle, “Hurry up.”

Belle walked with difficulty.

Last night, Alfred had been too rough.

Her body was covered in abrasions, and she didn’t dare to buy medicine, letting the small wounds heal on their own.

Belle entered the elevator.

She suddenly realized.

Alfred was there too.

There had been too many people at the wedding for Belle to see clearly, and last night was even more chaotic, so this was her first close look at Alfred.

The rumors were true.

Victor was already exceptionally handsome, considered the most attractive at school.

But standing next to Alfred.

He instantly paled in comparison.

Like an inconspicuous star beside the cold, bright moon, he lost all his luster.

Victor grabbed Belle's hand.

Dominantly intertwining their fingers, he said, "Belle, this is our uncle. We met him yesterday."

Belle nodded.

A cold sweat formed in her palm, and she lowered her head, obediently greeting him, "…Uncle."

At the sound of her voice.

Alfred suddenly lowered his gaze, his eyes fixating on Belle, staring at her dark hair.

His nephew's wife's voice inexplicably reminded him of the little wildcat on his bed last night.

He narrowed his deep eyes.

As he glanced sideways.

With his height advantage, he noticed a faint mark under Belle's cheongsam collar.

Alfred's calm gaze then shifted to Victor. Victor's neck, partially hidden by his white shirt, bore a few fresh red hickeys.

It seemed.

The newlyweds had been quite passionate last night.

So, how could that little wildcat be his nephew's wife?

Alfred remained silent.

Belle's back prickled with anxiety.

Could he have recognized her?

Alfred suddenly made a sound, a cold, chilling tone.

He sounded very intimidating.

The elevator doors opened.

As Victor led Belle out of the elevator, they heard Alfred's assistant, Ian, approach and say, "Mr. Shaw, we found the person from last night."