Chapter 2486

chapter2486

Bella heard this and no longer refused.

She knew that even if she refused this time, Grant would just pester her next time. Though Grant appeared calm and indifferent, he was actually quite stubborn and calculating. He would stop at nothing to reach his goals.

Besides, Bella had already accepted Grant's favor to help Wyatt recover sooner. If she still rejected something so minor, she would seem pretentious.

At 6:00 PM, the luxury car slowly drove into Tideview Manor.

Bella gazed out the window. As the familiar sights filled her eyes, memories of her days here as Justin's wife resurfaced. They were mostly bittersweet and sorrowful, but some were happy.

Her eyes watered. Bella lowered her lashes, concealing the grief within.

Suddenly, she felt the man beside her pat her shoulder. Startled, she turned, only to see a spotless white handkerchief, faintly scented, offered before her.

"If I had known coming back here would cause you such pain, I wouldn't have arranged the banquet here,” Grant said.

He gazed deeply into her reddened eyes, his voice steeped in tenderness and remorse. "Bella, I'm sorry."

Bella...

Even this gentle tone was almost identical to Justin's.

A current surged through Bella's heart, not because of the man before her, but for Justin. Her love for Justin was etched so deeply within her soul that nothing could ever erase his existence.

"Mr. Salvador, I'm fine. Don't misunderstand."

Bella drew a deep breath to steady herself. She said coldly, "Also, I prefer that you address me as Ms. Thompson. That's more formal and fitting for our relationship.”

Grant paused slightly, then curved his lips faintly, as if he was utterly unfazed by her coldness. “Alright, as you wish, Ms. Thompson."

Chairman Salvador was absent today, as he was on a trip.

In the vast dining hall, Grant sat at the head of the table. Bella sat on one side, while Mayor Zellman sat opposite her. Today, he was an honored guest of the Salvador family, and his face flushed with ruddy cheer.

"This time, it's all thanks to your support that we've managed to secure the A5 project, Mayor Zellman." Grant raised his glass with elegant poise for a toast.

He smiled at the mayor. "From here on, I hope we can work closely together. In the future, I trust you'll extend your strong support to KS Group's projects in Savrow as well. I will be most grateful."

This was the blatant collusion between politics and business.

Bella had no appetite. She drank only water and felt as if she sat on pins and needles.

After several cups of wine, Mayor Zellman's face turned as red as a tomato. Any semblance of an upright official was gone. He was completely reduced to a tool for Grant's private gain.

His face was glowing with drunken

satisfaction as he slurred, "Don't worry, Mr. Salvador. Given your relationship with Ms. Thompson, the development of KS Group in Savrow is safe with me! I'll give it my full support!"

Hearing this, Grant smiled and asked, “My relationship with Ms. Thompson? Tell me, what relationship do we have?"

Mayor Zellman was a shrewd man. At a glance, he saw that the way Grant looked at Bella was anything but innocent, filled with desire and possessiveness.

To flatter the cash cow before him, Mayor Zellman chuckled and answered bluntly, “Hahaha....... Of course, a relationship that is as good as it gets! Don't forget to invite me to your wedding reception!"

Bella's expression instantly frosted over. "Mayor Zellman..."

Grant interjected, "Mayor Zellman, you sure like to joke. Ms. Thompson and are merely business partners and good friends Ms. Thompson is also my grandfather's god-granddaughter, and she once was my younger brother's wife.”

Grant seized the initiative and continued, "We are kin, so naturally, our bond is closer. But please, don't overthink it. Otherwise, my lady will be uncomfortable."

Sensing Bella's displeasure, Mayor Zellman hurriedly laughed it off. “Hahaha, I understand now, Mr. Salvador. I was overthinking it. My apologies, Ms. Thompson!"

"Mayor Zellman, thank you for your goodwill. But KS Group has come this far on the strength of our solid, comprehensive capabilities, not through any improper means.”

Bella's beautiful eyes were sharp and icy. Her pale face was like a snow lotus blooming on a towering glacier. "Although KS Group is cooperating with the Salvadors Corporation, it is only temporary. It does not mean our paths will ultimately converge. So there's no need for you to concern yourself with KS Group's development."

Such a rebuke left Mayor Zellman stiff-faced, his eyes darting nervously toward Grant.

Yet the man's refined and elegant face showed not the slightest anger. Grant continued to smile, looking calm and unbothered, even with a trace of indulgent fondness.

Mayor Zellman finally understood that Grant clearly treasured Bella.

He immediately forced a smile. “Hahaha, you're right, Ms. Thompson. I was being presumptuous."

Mayor Zellman forced himself to sit through the rest of the meal. Bella, unwilling to stay another second, prepared to rise and take her leave.

Just then, Mayor Zellman leaned toward Grant and spoke in a hushed tone. “Mr. Salvador, that day, you mentioned establishing a new pharmaceutical research institute...”