Belle's heart leapt into her throat once more.

She couldn't hear what was being said on the other end, but Alfred suddenly began walking straight towards her.

Belle swallowed hard.

Her throat felt parched.

This was it.

Alfred stood before the couple, and Belle lowered her gaze in despair.

But all she heard was Alfred's deep voice, "Victor, tell your grandfather I won’t be returning."

Belle, "..."

Victor smiled and replied, "Alright."

Alfred nodded slightly, his gaze briefly lingering on Belle's face. Did she seem...relieved?

He didn't linger to investigate further and quickly left.

Belle got into the car, and as Victor drove, he remarked, "Are you scared of Uncle?"

Belle nodded.

Given the rumors about him—killing without batting an eye, straddling the underworld and the legitimate world—who wouldn't be scared?

Especially after last night...

Victor chuckled, "Just keep things civil with him. He's not a good person; keep your distance from him."

---

The elders at the Shaw Hall did not regard Belle with much respect, and she left feeling aggrieved.

As they left the Shaw Hall for the company, Victor sighed, "My mom was indeed a bit much. It's not that I'm intentionally not standing by you, but you know how my parents' relationship is. If my mom sees how close we are, she'll just make things harder for you."

Belle, with reddened eyes, retorted, "Your parents' bad relationship isn't my fault. She can take it out on your dad, she can take it out on you, but she has no right to take it out on me."

When she loved him, she felt that avoiding conflict was better.

Now that she didn't, she realized how much she had been compromising.

And when she was wronged, Victor never stood up for her!

Victor frowned, glancing at Belle through the rearview mirror, "Belle, you were so considerate and sensible before we got married. How come on the first day of our marriage, you're being so aggressive?"

Belle laughed bitterly, "Victor, you are my husband. You are the only one who can mediate the relationship between your mother and me. When your mother makes things difficult for me, my husband says nothing, and I’m supposed to be understanding towards her? Victor, who understands me?"

Victor pulled the car over to the side of the road, "Belle, can you consider things from my perspective? My work is already stressful enough. Can't you handle these petty family matters on your own?"

He was frustrated.

Belle was at home every day with nothing to do. Couldn't she make an effort to get along with his mother?

Women need to be coaxed.

Old women are no different.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was tense.

Victor leaned heavily against the seat, pressing his fingers against his temples.

At that moment,

his phone rang.

Victor hurriedly answered, "Vivian, what's wrong?"

Belle's eyes flickered slightly.

Whatever Vivian said, Victor replied in a soothing tone, "Vivian, I'll be there soon."

He hung up the phone.

Taking a deep breath, Victor composed himself and gently patted Belle's hair.

In a tender voice, he said, "It's all my fault. I apologize. Let me call a taxi to take you to the company, okay?"

A mocking smile curled on Belle's delicate and beautiful face. "Victor, on the first day of our marriage, you abandoned your bride on the roadside to find your childhood sweetheart?"

Victor clicked his tongue softly, his voice tinged with a hint of charm. "Belle, I only see Vivian as a sister I grew up with. Besides, if it weren't for the need to avoid suspicion, she wouldn't have randomly married someone to put your mind at ease. As a result, she suffered domestic violence and sought help from me. I couldn't refuse her, not with the bond we share from childhood and the bond our parents share."

Belle sneered, "I didn't force her to marry, and I bear no responsibility. I refuse to accept any form of PUA."

With that,

she pushed open the car door and stepped out.

The window rolled down.

Victor glanced at Belle helplessly. "Belle, don't throw a tantrum. I'll be back as soon as I'm done."

With that, the silver Bentley sped away.

Belle stood alone by the roadside.

She felt somewhat dazed.

So this was marriage.

On the second day of her marriage, she was already witnessing a mess.

Had she known it would be like this, she wouldn't have bothered getting married.

High heels paired with a cheongsam.

Beautiful, elegant, graceful, making it impossible for people not to linger their gaze on her.

But for the wearer, it was torture. Soon, Belle's feet were rubbed raw, forming blisters.

She felt distressed, her feet hurt, and she also felt pain down there. It was all terribly uncomfortable.

In the distance.

A steady black Cullinan slowly approached.

Ian saw Belle by the roadside. "It looks like the young madam. Didn't she go back to the Shaw Hall with the young master Victor? Why is she walking alone by the roadside?"

The man's voice was muffled. "Give her a ride."

Ian glanced at Alfred through the rearview mirror, surprised.

Was this the awakening of his master's kind-hearted genes?

The Cullinan slowly pulled over to the roadside.

Ian rolled down the window. "Young madam, it's hard to find a taxi here. Our Mr. Shaw asks you to get in for a ride."

Alfred again!

Belle wanted to avoid him at all costs.

So, Belle immediately declined politely. "Thank you, Uncle. The taxi I called will be here soon."

Ian, "...Alright."

Mr. Shaw's kind gesture ended before it could even begin!

From the backseat,

a deep, discontented voice, like a cello string being plucked accidentally, murmured, "What? Are you afraid of me?"

Belle, "..."

In his calm voice, Belle detected a strong sense of danger.

She had no choice but to thank him reluctantly, then opened the car door and sat beside Alfred.

His presence was overwhelming.

As soon as Belle got in, she was enveloped by the cold, refreshing scent of cedar, the same as last night.

"Where's Victor?"

Belle realized Alfred was talking to her and quickly replied, "He had something urgent and left first."

Alfred let out a soft snort, his emotions unreadable.

Ian seized the moment to ask, "Young madam, where would you like to go?"

Belle promptly replied to Ian, "Just drop me off near Sunrise Corporation."

Ian, "Got it. If I'm not mistaken, it should be around Sycamore Avenue, East Prosperity Street..."

As Ian spoke, he seemed distracted and didn't pay close attention to the road, causing the car to suddenly veer towards the central divider. Ian quickly turned the steering wheel.

The car's rear almost lifted off the ground.

Belle was thrown forward.

Just as her forehead was about to hit the car door, a burning hand grasped her forearm and yanked her back forcefully.

Belle, dizzy and disoriented, was pulled back.

Due to inertia, she ended up sitting on Alfred's lap.

Her hand pressed against his chest.

Their posture... from the perspective of a grown man and woman, was overly intimate, like a spark ready to ignite.

Belle sat on his lap, very close.

That part of him.

Its presence was undeniable.

And...quite significant.