Belle was about to ask more questions when she heard a familiar voice call out her name."Belle!" Scott greeted her enthusiastically the moment he saw her. He was greeting guests by the entrance. Robert was beside him.When Belle saw Robert's gaze linger on her and Grayson's interlocked hands, she understood immediately. Grayson was using her to make Robert jealous.Belle pursed her lips and ignored Scott. She looked at Grayson instead. She had no words for him. He knew that there was nothing going on between Robert and her, but he just had to cause drama.He just loved to overthink. He didn't like her anyway, so Belle was really starting to suspect that he had a crush on Robert! Belle cursed him out in her thoughts before greeting Robert. She asked, "Did Patrick come?"Robert stared at her with a complicated expression. Excitement, nervousness, and panic were mixed in his gaze. He felt happy and relieved too. He was tongue-tied for a moment because he was overwhelmed with
Belle got surrounded by a group of rich ladies before she could get far. They showered her with compliments and started talking about Grayson.Belle felt tired of them, but it wasn't right for her to ignore them. She didn't know any of their names, but they looked familiar. After all, Belle had attended many banquets with Grayson, and the circle of rich people was quite small. She had seen some of the women before.For the sake of the Page family's reputation, she couldn't give them the cold shoulder. She had no choice but to smile awkwardly.Meanwhile, the person who had approached Grayson said, "You're a very lucky man, Mr. Page. Your girlfriend is beautiful."Another man said, "Mr. Page seems to be deeply in love with her. Just look at him. He can't take his eyes off her.""Hahaha, are you worried that something will happen to her? Don't worry, Mr. Page. Nobody dares to bully your girlfriend.""I'm just worried that someone will make her unhappy. She has a hot temper and is
Trent kept quiet for a few seconds before he smiled and said, "I've always been unlucky. I've been bullied since I was a kid. I've cheated death countless times, so I'll never regret a path I've chosen. The worst-case scenario is just death, isn't it? Haha, I'm not afraid!" Trent's men started yelling too. One of them said, "Exactly! We peasants are nothing compared to the Strauss family anyway. It's so easy for you to kill us, but we're not afraid. We'll help the people of Maltford get the truth even if we have to risk our lives!"Scott was so angry that his face became as red as a tomato. He shouted, "Who gave you the fucking right to represent the people of Maltford? You're just a bunch of gangsters who do nothing but bully the citizens. Why are you playing the good guys now? Just tell me what you really want and stop using the people of Maltford as an excuse."The man who spoke earlier was struck speechless, and he was furious. He wanted to retort, but a look from Trent made
Robert composed himself. "You don't have to get pissed off over them. Patrick's unwell, but I'm still here to protect the Strauss family. I accept the duty.""But… don't you have other more important duties on your shoulders?" said Scott.Robert glanced toward Belle again. "I have to keep up with the changes in the situation. It's still my responsibility."Scott didn't know that he was talking about Belle. Sighing, he patted Robert on the shoulder."Don't worry. I have your back. Once the Strauss family is in calmer waters, you can focus on doing your own matters. I most likely won't be leaving anymore. I'll help you take care of your grandfather, Patrick, and Mrs. Strauss," said Scott.Robert looked at him, feeling beyond grateful. Meanwhile, Belle was pissed off.She said, "How dare they come and cause trouble! It seems like they haven't learned their lesson from the previous time. They need a good beating!"Grayson cast a glance at Trent. Coincidentally, Trent's subordinate w
Grayson didn't reply to Jake's text. He thought for a moment and said to Belle, "There's dessert over there. Help me get some."Belle looked at him in surprise. How was he still in the mood to eat at a time like that?Before Belle could ask, Yolanda scolded Grayson, "Can't you see that she's talking to us? Go get your own dessert."The other ladies laughed and teased Grayson."Goodness me, don't go poking your nose into young people's business." "Grayson only asked Belle to get him dessert because he likes her. He won't eat anything other ladies get him.""Exactly. It's a gesture of love, haha."Pursing her lips, Belle said to Yolanda with a smile, "It's fine. I'll help him get dessert. Carry on without me."Belle behaved elegantly, and she looked pretty no matter what she did. After she left, the ladies complimented Yolanda about how lucky she was.Yolanda said, "Grayson, I'm lucky to have Belle as my daughter-in-law, but I'm not the luckiest person yet."The ladies looked
Phil Sanchez had arrived fashionably late. The atmosphere in the hall changed the moment he walked in. The sound of chatter ceased a great deal. Phil grabbed Belle's attention, and she asked with a frown, "What's he doing here? Isn't he on bad terms with the Page and Strauss families?"Grayson forgot his displeasure and said, "Even troublemakers like Trent were allowed entry, much less Phil."Frowning, Belle looked disgusted. As the person who was the most capable of taking that position in the Strauss family, he became the center of attention.The event was about to start. Phil had already arrived, but Patrick was still nowhere to be seen. People were starting to gossip."I'm here to attend a birthday party, but the birthday boy is nowhere in sight. What a joke.""Exactly. What's the Strauss family up to?""They're not up to anything. I think Patrick just doesn't have the balls to show up. I heard that he's not just mute but also autistic. He can't meet strangers.""He can't
Tom said calmly, "Unfortunately, Patrick is sick and can't come today."Hearing this, the crowd began to discuss the situation again."He's sick? Is it so coincidental that he fell ill on his birthday?""Exactly! Is he really sick or is he just pretending?"Someone impatiently said, "He's had a condition all along. There's no need for him to pretend. Mr. Strauss Senior, we heard that Patrick is mute and also has autism. Please tell the truth in front of everyone. Are those rumors true?""Yes, give us a straightforward answer. If it's true, then we're wrong to offend him. If it's not true, then let us meet him."Scott was irritated, and he responded, "Mr. Strauss Senior said that Patrick isn't feeling well and can't come to the party.""It doesn't matter that he can't come. Just take a video of him so that we can see for ourselves!"Many others joined in agreement, and the discussions quickly escalated."Right, a video will be enough. We want to see for ourselves if he's alrigh
Phil immediately furrowed his brows, and many of those who supported him did the same.Belle said, "If you want to seize power and take over, just say it out loud. You don't need to beat about the bush. You're already so old. Don't you have any shame? Don't you all feel disgusted after hearing what he said?"Phil exclaimed, "You!"Belle continued, "I don't know about you guys, but I'm about to throw up. He clearly wants to take Mr. Strauss Senior's position, but he insists on making it sound like he's very unwilling to do so and that he's stepping up in a time of crisis. How ridiculous is that?"She continued, "And even if Patrick isn't feeling well and isn't suitable for the position, don't we have Robert? If Robert doesn't want to take over as well, there are still other candidates, right? How can we elect an elderly person who's almost 70?""You!" Phil's face turned red, and he was so agitated that his breathing became irregular.Xenia couldn't remain calm either. "Belle, how