Everywhere She Goes

“Boss?” Vaughn’s attention was diverted back to his bodyguard, who had also noticed Bella’s fleeing figure. “Should we go after her?”

“No need. I doubt she’s the one.” If that had indeed been his wife, why would she have run away after seeing him? Just now, it was as if she had seen a monster. No, that couldn’t possibly be his Bella. Vaughn walked forward, ignoring the crowd that was gradually forming.

As someone famous, he always caused a stir wherever he went, which was why he had his security team with him at all times. He hated interacting with people he regarded as beneath him.

“Mr. McCoy, welcome,” the Vice-Chancellor of the school, Mr. Adams, greeted him. They shook hands, and he led the young billionaire to his office. “I want to state what an honor it is to have you at our institution.”

“Sure, but I’m sure you know the real reason I’m here.”

“Of course. Your wife…” Mr. Adams shuffled through a stack of papers until he found what he was looking for—Bella’s schedule, which had been prepared the previous day. “Bella Page’s enrollment into our academy was no issue at all. We are excited to nourish any talent she may have and bring out the best in her.”

“That’s hardly the problem,” Vaughn said, growing impatient. He glanced around the luxurious office as though expecting to find someone hiding in the room. “She was supposed to be here, right? Since you have her schedule, can you tell me which class she’s in currently? I need to speak to her.”

“Oh, but she hasn’t come yet. I assumed she would arrive with you since I received your call.”

“Really?” Vaughn raised a brow, his expression remaining neutral, betraying nothing. So it was just as he had suspected—the woman he saw earlier was indeed his wife. “I apologize; I merely assumed she would have come earlier. Perhaps she was delayed by some work.”

Mr. Adams wasn’t sure what was happening, but he sensed there was more going on than Vaughn was letting on. However, it wasn’t his place to pry into personal matters. “Then I will be here to welcome your wife whenever she arrives.”

“Thank you. I’ll leave it to you.”

“Uh... Mr. McCoy, would you be interested in a tour around our academy? Perhaps you’d like to see where your beloved wife will be spending her time.”

“There’s no need.” Vaughn was already walking out of the office. “I know exactly where she’ll be spending her time.”

She was avoiding him, that much was obvious. But Vaughn couldn’t figure out why. He’d noticed how oddly she’d been acting lately, but he had assumed it was due to the medication she was on. And because he felt guilty about being the reason she needed the meds in the first place, he’d decided to let her be.

But this… this was getting out of hand. First, she started stealing diamonds, then she wanted to go back to school. He’d been trying to call her since yesterday, but she wouldn’t answer. If she’d at least responded to his texts or called him back, he wouldn’t have had to come all the way to Elthon to check on her.

Vaughn might not love Bella, but after years of being with her, coming home to an empty house had put him on edge. He just wanted to make sure she was safe. He was being considerate, damn it! But, of course, Bella had to go and make things complicated. That woman pissed him off more than anyone.

Vaughn gestured to the two men standing behind him. “Look around, find her, and bring her back to me.”

“Yes, sir,” they chorused simultaneously. Vaughn watched them leave. His gaze swept over the lush gardens decorating the schoolyard. He went to take a seat on one of the benches a safe distance from the crowd of students. However, it didn’t take long before one of them approached him.

It was a woman with long black hair, a pretty face, and a stylish sense of fashion. Her pale skin glistened under the sun, and her large blue eyes gave her an almost doll-like appearance. “Excuse me, Mr. McCoy?”

Usually, Vaughn wouldn’t mind indulging a pretty woman, especially one who showed obvious interest. But right now, he was irritated and not in the mood. “Yes?” His reply was short and cold, hoping to convey his disinterest.

The woman didn’t seem to notice. She sat down beside him, causing a collective gasp from the other students watching her bold move. “I’m a huge fan of yours. My father runs a mobile company, and we’ve always taken inspiration from your innovations. You’ve practically revolutionized the tech world.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“So, what brings someone as important as you to our school today?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Are you here to see Damien Beriosova by any chance?” she asked. Vaughn’s eyes twitched in irritation. Of course, the public didn’t know about the feud between their families; they kept their relationship cordial in the media. He had forgotten that his no-good cousin attended this school. “I’m friends with him. I could take you to where he is, if you’d like.”

“That won’t be necessary. Thanks for the offer.”

The woman opened her mouth to speak again, but Vaughn’s phone rang, interrupting her. He answered. “Have you found her?”

“Yes, boss, but… she’s with…”

“Speak up!”

“She’s with Mr. Beriosova.”

There was silence on Vaughn’s end. The bodyguard feared he was about to get fired for not getting the madam in time. “Text me her location,” Vaughn said before cutting the call.

He turned to the woman beside him. “You said you wouldn’t mind showing me around?”

“It would be my pleasure,” she said, excitement evident in her voice.

Vaughn showed her the location sent to him, and she led him toward the Eiffel Fountain, which coincidentally was right next to Damien’s studio.

---

Bella had stopped running once she was sure she wasn’t being followed. She found herself in a secluded part of the school, near a large fountain with a sculpture of the Eiffel Tower. She was so captivated by the scene that she spent a long time taking pictures. When she snapped out of her daze, she saw one of her husband’s men approaching.

She could have run, but she risked being seen, and let’s be honest, the man could easily outrun her. So Bella did the first thing that came to mind: she dove into the fountain. The water was freezing, and she barely had time to catch her breath, but she stayed underwater. Thankfully, it wasn’t shallow.

She heard the approaching footsteps. The man paused at the fountain, but seeing nothing, he walked away. Bella surfaced from the water, gasping. “Shit,” she groaned, trying to pull herself out of the fountain.

“Having fun?”

Bella’s soul nearly left her body. She turned to see the person on the other side of the fountain. Thankfully, it wasn’t one of Vaughn’s men—just his cousin. His damn cousin!

She could have died from the sheer embarrassment. “I… I was just getting something from the water!”

“I bet.”

“I’m serious. My phone fell in.”

“I believe you.”

“I feel like you’re being sarcastic,” she said, pouting.

Damien smirked faintly. He was a handsome man with short dark hair and stunning gray eyes. “What does it matter? You don’t know me.”

“Of course, I do, Damien.”

“Oh?” He raised a perfectly shaped brow. “You’ve recovered?”

“Well, not exactly. I have a picture.” Bella reached for her phone in her back pocket to show Damien proof. However, her phone was soaked from the water. She deflated. “You have to believe me. I was about to come find you when… well, I’m sure you saw what happened.”

“Why would you be looking for me?”

“Because… Vaughn is—”

“Bella!”

Bella froze. She turned to see Vaughn approaching, a woman trailing closely behind him. Vaughn reached her in no time, grabbing her shoulders and turning her to face him. She didn’t need to make eye contact to know he was furious.

“What are you doing? How did you—”

“Her phone fell in the fountain,” Damien interrupted. “She went after it.”

Vaughn’s gaze shifted to his cousin. They scrutinized each other for what felt like an eternity. By now, their confrontation was attracting attention from passersby; after all, it wasn’t every day you saw two extremely famous and wealthy aristocrats facing off. Bella felt Vaughn’s grip on her shoulders tighten, his nails digging into her skin.

She almost whimpered from the pain, but he let go before she could. Vaughn took a deep breath and flashed Damien a charming smile. “My apologies,” he said in a cool voice. “Long time no see, Damien.”