Chapter 2487

chapter2487

A glint of darkness flashed in Grant's calm, clear eyes. He briefly glanced at Bella, who stood with her back to them.

His voice deepened as he said to the mayor, "We'll find another time to talk about it."

“Why another time? Do you find it inconvenient to speak freely because I'm here, Mr. Salvador?” Bella suddenly turned around and flashed a graceful smile.

"It seems that you and I are merely collaborators and not true business partners. You and Mayor Zellman must have many secrets between you, huh?"

“Haha... Ms. Thompson, you're taking this too seriously." Mayor Zellman forced an awkward laugh while stealing nervous glances at Grant's face.

Bella had seen through it by now. On paper, Mayor Zellman was the superior one among them as a government official. Yet in truth, their positions were reversed. In private, it was Grant who held the reins.

If Grant kept things about the research institute hidden from her, there was bound to be something suspicious or even something dark and unspeakable.

Otherwise, why would he keep it hidden?

Seeing Grant's silence, Bella smirked and scoffed. "Well, if you're guarding against me so much, Mr. Salvador, you shouldn't have invited me to this dinner in the first place. You make me feel like an unwelcome spy. I'll leave you gentlemen to your private talk.”

With that, she turned sharply and strode away without looking back.

"Ms. Thompson, wait!" Grant called after her, his tone urgent.

But Bella acted as though she had not heard him. Her steps were quick and brisk, the air around her charged with quiet anger.

Grant's lips pressed into a pale line. The man who was usually composed and reserved could no longer contain himself. He stood abruptly and strode after her.

The sight left Mayor Zellman utterly stunned.

Was this frantic man chasing after a woman really the same regal and imposing man that he knew?

It seemed that the saying was true, that even heroes could not withstand beauty. Mr. Salvador was no exception.

Bella heard him coming after her, yet instead of stopping, she walked even faster.

Grant finally caught up to her in the living room and grabbed her slender wrist. His voice trembled with urgency as he said, "Bella, don't leave!"

Bella's body froze, her pupils widening slightly.

In her mind, she heard Justin's gentle voice. Memories of all their warm and intimate moments together flooded back, as vivid as yesterday.

Her eyes reddened.

Though many people called her Bella, and the man standing behind her was no longer Justin, their tone was the same.

"Mr. Salvador, is there anything else you wish to say?" Bella's voice was cold, and her back was still facing him.

Grant stepped around to face her, his eyes fixed intently on hers. There was a heat in his gaze, a burning intensity that made her lashes tremble, forcing her to avert her eyes.

"Why are your eyes red?" His voice softened, and his gaze was so piercing as though it could see straight into her heart. “Are you mad because you think I'm hiding something from you?"

Bella forced her emotions down and sneered. “Shouldn't I be angry? You keep saying you want a partnership with me, but you hide things from me at every turn. Your words and actions don't match So how am supposed to trust you?"

Grant's brows drew together.

She gave a mocking laugh. “But I understand. After all, you and Justin are sworn enemies, like fire and water. Since I have a past with him, it disgusts you, doesn't it? So guarding yourself against me is only natural."

“No. I've never thought about you that way.” Grant's fingers tightened slightly around her slender wrist. This small, almost imperceptible motion revealed a surge of possessiveness beneath his calm facade.

"If I cared about your past with Justin, I wouldn't have worked with you at all. Bella, you can treat me however you like, but please don't misunderstand how I feel about you."

Bella listened in silence, her stomach churning violently.

This man was shrewd, calculating, and full of schemes. His sincerity was nothing more than a cheap tool of deception. Yet she also knew that if she kept rejecting his gestures, their relationship would never progress.

If that happened, she would never be able to infiltrate the core of Grant's circle. So she needed to soften things between them.

However, she could not do it too

abruptly or too intimately, as it

would seem fake. It had to be just enough for Grant to believe that she and Justin were completely over beyond any possibility of rekindling Only then would Grant start to lower his guard around her.

"Mr. Salvador, there's something I hope you can understand."

Bella drew a deep breath and met his burning gaze. "By choosing to work with you, I've practically offended

my entire family. My father quarreled with me over it, fell ill, and has been in a coma ever since.

“By leaving Justin's side and joining

your camp, can no longer face Grandpa either. Choosing you meant cutting off all my paths of retreat, so I'm anxious, afraid, emotional and helpless just hope you can try

understand things from my

perspective."

“Bella..... it was my fault." Grant tugged gently at her wrist, trying to draw her closer. “It won't happen again. I promise."

Bella's back stiffened. There was a flicker of resistance beneath her lowered lashes.

At that moment, heavy, cold footsteps approached from behind before halting abruptly.

Bella turned around, and in that instant, all the blood in her veins seemed to freeze.

The air grew thick, oppressive, and silent.

Justin stood just a few paces away, his tall figure as rigid as stone.

He stared unblinkingly at the two people in an unbearably intimate pose before him. His cold gaze settled on

Bella's wrist, which was tightly held in Grant's grasp.

An invisible storm began to surge between the two men, ready to erupt at any moment.