Belle pulled Cherry out.

However.

They were immediately blocked by the bodyguards brought by Mr. Cain.

Cherry pushed Belle away. “We can’t both be caught here. I’ll hold them off. You go find help!”

Belle knew it wasn’t the time to be stubborn.

She needed to get reinforcements; maybe there was still hope.

If she stayed behind, both of them would be doomed.

Belle gave Cherry a deep, sincere, and determined look.

Although Belle and Cherry had only known each other for a day, Cherry inexplicably believed that Belle would come to her rescue.

Belle was about to run.

But Mr. Cain, who was closely following her, grabbed her by the hair.

Belle felt a sharp pain in her scalp, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.

Mr. Cain cursed loudly, combining every vulgar word related to parents and genitalia, pinning Belle against the railing.

His gaze was lecherous.

He leered at the significant curves of Belle’s chest.

His eyes were nakedly explicit, almost as if he were undressing her with his gaze.

Belle bent her knees.

Mr. Cain was jostled by the movement, his face contorted in pain.

He slapped Belle harshly.

Then.

He glanced at the four towering bodyguards, who charged over and pinned Belle against the railing.

Belle’s limbs were restrained, her legs spread wide open.

She was left in a completely vulnerable position.

Mr. Cain ripped off his tie. “Damn it! You refuse to take what I’m offering. I’m going to make sure you regret it here today.”

The hallway was bustling with people.

The scene was as intimidating as a mobster’s, and no one dared to intervene, fearing trouble.

Mr. Cain became even more audacious, reaching for Belle’s pants.

The touch at her waist made Belle shiver.

She bit her lip and looked around. They were on the second floor; if she jumped, she might survive the fall.

Belle closed her eyes.

She arched backward with all her strength.

The bodyguards, who had been holding her down, relaxed their grip as Mr. Cain started to tear at her clothes.

They never expected Belle would dare to jump.

With her eyes closed and head held high, Belle fell backward.

Instead of the anticipated pain, she landed in a broad embrace with a hint of cedarwood scent.

Belle hesitated and looked up in disbelief.

She saw...

Alfred!

Alfred’s expression was indifferent. He glanced at her, his gaze lingering on her swollen face for a moment. “Get down.”

Belle snapped out of her daze.

She quickly got to her feet from Alfred’s embrace and pleaded softly, “Little… uncle, my friend is still upstairs. Can you help me?”

Alfred lowered his arm.

Ian clearly noticed something was off with his movement.

He probably bumped his arm while catching the young madam.

He hadn’t reacted earlier.

By the time he realized the person who had fallen was Belle, it was too late.

He hadn’t expected Mr. Shaw to lend a hand.

The club owner nearby was already terrified, his back drenched in sweat. “Mr. Shaw, are you alright?”

Alfred’s voice was low, sounding hoarse, dangerous, and authoritative. “Is Mr. Leach running a club or a brothel?”

He showed no consideration for anyone’s feelings.

Mr. Leach turned ashen, immediately calling for his people to rescue Cherry.

Belle’s eyes quivered slightly.

Her long lashes fluttered like the wings of a delicate butterfly. Her porcelain-white face showed the relief of having escaped a disaster. She looked seriously at Alfred’s captivating face. “Thank you, uncle, for your help.”

Alfred’s gaze was cold and dismissive. “Trouble.”

Belle’s face turned red with embarrassment, her voice hoarse and tinged with moisture. “I’m sorry.”

Alfred furrowed his brow, his jawline rigid and cold, and he strode away.

Cherry safely returned to Belle’s side, visibly shaken, her makeup smeared from crying. “Belle.”

Belle patted her shoulder in comfort.

Cherry wiped her tears. “The contract is ruined.”

Belle, “...”

The next day.

Cain and several others were taken away by the authorities for various crimes, including tax evasion, fraud, and falsifying accounts.

This alleviated the penalty for Belle and Cherry’s failed contract signing.

Cherry secretly complained to Belle, “I cursed that old beast all night when I got home. I don’t know which passing deity received my grievances, but it worked immediately. I want to offer a sacrifice to that deity.”

Belle smiled slightly.

Cherry then asked, “What happened after you fell last night?”

Belle naturally couldn’t reveal her identity.

She made up a lie, “I happened to land on the club owner. He was afraid something might go wrong, so he quickly brought people to rescue you.”

Cherry sighed with relief.

As she was about to speak again, Wendy’s summons arrived.

Cherry stuck out her tongue. “Looks like we’re in for a scolding.”

Belle remained noncommittal.

The two entered the office one after the other.

Wendy handed them two sets of documents: one for North Abundance Group and one for EverTrust Group.

Wendy glanced at both of them, frowning. “Forget about last night. You two lost a major client, so you need to make up for it. The two most important cases now are these. Decide which one you want to take.”

Belle reviewed the documents.

She knew that the head of North Abundance Group was Alfred, while the president of EverTrust Group was Chester.

After a moment of consideration, Belle said without hesitation, “I’ll take EverTrust Group.”

Wendy leaned back in her chair, her body slightly tilted, hands clasped together. “Mr. Forrest of EverTrust Group is charming and indeed easier to handle than Mr. Shaw. But Mr. Shaw is a relative of our boss, Victor. He might give us some face.”

Belle smiled faintly. “If Mr. Victor knew that the project was won merely on face, he probably wouldn’t be pleased.”

Years ago, the two of them started their business together.

Almost all of the startup funds were borrowed.

Victor, having been mocked due to his father's lowly status, was determined to prove himself.

Wendy seemed to ponder this.

She tacitly agreed with Belle’s choice. “Plan it out. Whether you can establish yourselves in the Business Department depends on this project.”

——

Belle took the project documents home to work on.

At eleven o’clock at night, Victor staggered back home, drunk. “Wife? Belle? Belle!”

He clumsily pushed open the study door. “Why are you here? I’ve had too much to drink and feel unwell. Could you make me a bowl of noodles?”

Belle closed her laptop.

She stood up.

As she walked past the intoxicated Victor, he grabbed her arm.

He pulled Belle down onto his lap.

Resting his chin on Belle’s shoulder, he spoke in a sulky tone, “Wife, what’s wrong? You’ve been so cold to me lately. Did I do something to upset you? Tell me, and I’ll make it right, okay?”

His lowered gaze was just as it used to be.

But this time, it was a matter of principle, an error Belle could not tolerate. She was unsure how to face Victor with this deep chasm between them.

To say she wasn’t heartbroken would be a lie.

She had known him for eight years and loved him for six—from eighteen to twenty-four, the best years of a young woman’s life were spent loving Victor. How could she possibly let go?

Victor continued, “The company’s been busy lately. Once this is over, we’ll go on a honeymoon. By the way, let’s visit Mom at the hospital tomorrow and have dinner at Grandma’s in the evening, okay? Don’t be like this, I’m hurting. Feel it, touch me…”

He grabbed Belle’s hand.

Pressing it against his chest.

Belle could feel his strong heartbeat beneath her palm.

Belle frowned and struggled. “Victor, you’re drunk. Let me go!”

He half-supported, half-embraced Belle, pushing her down onto the tatami mat, trying to kiss her lips.

Belle quickly turned her face away.

The heated kiss fell on the side of Belle’s face.

Victor didn’t mind at all, his groans becoming increasingly sensual and lascivious. “Wife, let’s make up for that night we missed, okay?”

He slid his hand down the hem of Belle’s nightgown.