Belle felt uneasy, as if she had swallowed a heavy stone that lodged in her throat.

Neither up nor down, she could almost hear her heartbeat, like the war drums commanding a battlefield.

Alfred watched Belle’s reaction intently, his gaze fixed on her without a blink.

After several seconds, he chuckled lightly, “Just kidding. The loser has to treat the other to dinner tomorrow night.”

At his words, Belle managed to steady her emotions. ...