Victor turned off the stove and looked at Belle.

Under the hallway light,

even after all these years, her fair and delicate face still had the power to captivate him in an unguarded moment.

Thinking of Chester's notorious reputation,

Victor felt a bit uncomfortable.

He coughed lightly and tried to sound relaxed, "Is this some kind of unspoken rule in your department?"

Belle was taken aback.

She replied ...