CHAPTER 4

BELLA'S POV

I sat frozen in my seat as I stared at the intimidating man who looked down at me with a cold smile, and I could feel sweat trickling down my back even though the hall was air-conditioned.

“Are you a detective?” I managed to ask and he let out a cold chuckle, one that sent goosebumps across my skin.

“I'm the one asking the questions here. Do you know a certain Mabel Miles?” He asked and my brows furrowed in confusion as I looked up at him.

“W-why do you ask?” I managed to mumble and his smile immediately faded, causing me to nearly jump in my seat with how scary he looked.

He was the most handsome, yet scary man I've ever set my eyes on.

“I remember making it clear that only I asked the questions here. You either answer my questions truthfully and nobody gets hurt or…” He suddenly took out a syringe and pressed it close to my neck, making me close my eyes in horror.

“Fine, fine. I'll answer all your questions, just get that thing away from me!”

“Do you know Mabel Miles?” He asked again and I nodded gently before opening my eyes to see that the syringe was still close to my neck.

“She's uhm… an acquaintance of my husband,” I replied and he raised his brow at me in amusement as he inched closer to me. I could feel the tip of the needle touch my skin and I let out a small cry of horror.

“Is there something else I need to know?”

“She's my husband's mistress. That's all I know.” I blurted out and he smirked before pulling away. I let out a sigh of relief as he tucked the syringe back into his pocket but when he turned to look at me with his icy blue eyes, I held my breath.

“I could help you get the freedom and revenge you want from Mabel and your husband Ethan. But I'll need something in return from you.” He said as he glanced at me and I quickly shook my head in response.

“I'm not interested, sorry,” I said as I turned away from him and gripped the hem of my dress. I suddenly realized that it was still stained and my face flushed from embarrassment.

“You're going to pass out on an offer to get revenge on your husband and his mistress?” He asked in amusement and I nodded slowly before turning to look at him.

I already had a plan and I would finalize it all with Mabel tomorrow. I'd rather trust her than trust a stranger who wanted something in return for helping me.

“I already have a plan. And… this offer of yours is exactly how I got tangled with Ethan. I don't want to get myself into something I'd end up regretting just because I need help. And Mabel isn't that bad!” I replied quickly and he eyed me for a while before adjusting his suit, a small smile forming on his lips.

“Just in case you change your mind.” He took my hand and placed a business card in it as he stood up and nodded respectfully.

“Thank you for your time and cooperation.” He said calmly as he walked away and disappeared into the dark, leaving me in confusion and bewilderment.

I glanced at the business card in my hand and my eyes caught the name written on it: Carlos Monti. I couldn't help but wonder why he approached me, what he wanted in return from me, and how he knew Mabel.

I didn't want to get tangled in any complicated stuff so I squeezed up the paper card and threw it aside. After minutes of sitting in silence, I picked up the paper and straightened it before placing it in my purse. He might end up being useful someday.

The auction finally started, but Ethan was nowhere to be found. I wondered how Mabel was doing. People started bidding for items that were on display and I got bored from watching them fight over who was the richest in the hall.

The last item was finally brought to the stage and Ethan still hadn't returned. The item was revealed and my jaw dropped in shock. It was a necklace made with the purest blue diamond! There was only one in the whole world and it was right here in front of me. I let out a sigh of jealousy at the rich men and women in the hall.

I watched in shock as people bidded from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands just for this necklace. It was indeed a rare gem.

“Ten million dollars.” I heard someone say beside me and my head whipped in shock to look at the person that just spoke. My jaw dropped when I realized it was Edward, Ethan's older brother.

The whole hall went silent at his bid and he turned to stare at me with a smile as the MC declared the diamond necklace sold to Edward. I stared at him in shock and he flicked my forehead as he laughed softly, causing me to return to reality.

“I noticed that nothing else caught your attention except that necklace and I knew I had to get it for you.” He whispered softly and my eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets as I turned to look at him.

“F-for me? Did Ethan ask you to?” I asked softly and he froze for a second before bursting into laughter.

“We both know that charade you guys put out there doesn't work on me right? I can see right through your fake smile, Bella. Besides, I know about Mabel.”

“You know Mabel?” I asked in shock and he turned to look at me like he wasn't expecting me to know who she was.

“Yeah. She's your husband's…”

“Mistress. I know it.” I replied softly and he let out a sigh.

“You know the kind of animal Ethan is, why do you still let him treat you anyhow? You deserve better, Bella.” He said and I remained silent as I leaned into the chair. I couldn't tell him about what I and Mabel had planned, he might stab me in the back. However…

I turned to look at him but he had disappeared. Where did he suddenly go? I started to look around, but when I felt hands on my shoulder, and something cold touched my collarbone, I knew he was back.

“You missed me already? I went to get your item.” He whispered softly as he put the necklace on me and I felt heat creep up my face in an instant.

“I didn't miss you! I thought you disappeared or something.” I replied, and suddenly I felt his lips on my neck, causing me to jolt in shock as I pulled away from him.

“What are you-” My words were interrupted when I heard Ethan's voice and his expression wasn't pleasant at all.

“What's going on here?”