Chapter 186

Chapter 186

After hearing her words, Bella sighed with relief and hugged Fallon. "Wait for me to come back."

Bella grabbed her luggage and got into the car with Wallace.

It wasn't until several days after she'd left that Edward noticed something was wrong.

He summoned Scarlett to his office.

Bella had resigned, but Scarlett still worked there.

In the CEO's office, Scarlett stood nervously, afraid to look around. "Mr. Mellon, you called for me?"

Edward pushed aside a box filled with various items, his elegant fingers tapping lightly on the desk.

"I had something delivered to Bella's place a couple of days ago, but no one was there to receive it."

Scarlett hesitated before instinctively replying, "She left a few days ago."

Edward's eyes narrowed, his previously casual demeanor turning serious. "Left?"

Scarlett realized she'd let something slip.

Edward quickly reviewed Bella's unusual behavior over the past few days in his mind. He soon put it together and let out a cold laugh.

"I see. The resignation was preparation for her departure."

Scarlett shivered at his laugh. "If there's nothing else, Mr. Mellon, I'll head back now."

As she turned to leave, Edward stopped her. "Where did she go?"

But Scarlett didn't know.

After she left, Edward's face darkened.

He immediately called his assistant. "Find out immediately if Bella has taken a flight or train."

The assistant hesitated for a second, but a cold glance from Edward sent him rushing to complete the task without further delay.

By then, Bella had already departed. Even if Edward discovered her whereabouts, it would be too late.

Bella had already arrived in Oceancrest City with Wallace.

After they landed, Wallace was summoned by a former professor, which left him concerned about Bella.

"This professor was my mentor at Seaside City University. She left after that time, but when she heard I was coming here, she specifically invited me over."

Wallace took Bella's suitcase from her hand. 

"Are we going to stay at her place?" she asked.

As he pulled the luggage across the street, he kept glancing back at her.

"Yes, and don't worry—she's a wonderful person."

Wallace wasn't exaggerating. The elderly professor was indeed very easy to get along with.

Wallace hadn't mentioned he was bringing someone, so she was surprised to see Bella, but remained extremely welcoming. "Are you Wallace's assistant?"

Wallace laughed. "She's not my assistant—she's my girlfriend."

Hearing this, the professor looked both surprised and delighted.

Later, while Wallace was putting away their things, she personally attended to Bella.

"Try this tea. It's a new blend I just got. Wallace loves it, so I always keep some on hand."

In just a few sentences, the professor's fondness for Wallace was abundantly clear.

Bella felt honored by the special treatment. "You don't need to be so formal, Ms. Hall."

A moment later, Wallace returned after storing their luggage and was pleased to see them getting along so well.

He walked over with a smile. "We'll be imposing on you for the next few days, Ms. Hall."

"Nonsense! You've only just returned and you're already treating me like a stranger? I'm still your mentor—make yourself at home."

They temporarily settled in at Jaelyn Hall's place.

Occasionally during the day, Wallace would join the professor to research new topics.

But more often, Wallace spent his time showing Bella around Oceancrest City, which had many worthwhile attractions.

Standing on a bridge, enjoying the pleasant breeze, Bella couldn't help but remark, "Oceancrest City is so beautiful. We should have come sooner."

A local resident standing nearby responded with a friendly laugh.

Bella felt Wallace had been gone too long and was about to look for him when she turned and met Edward's intense gaze. She froze in place. "When did you find me?"

Edward stepped forward, his cold expression radiating intimidation.

He approached her step by step, his anger visibly rising with each movement. He stared at her fiercely. "What, you think I shouldn't have come? That I should just let you two live happily ever after, and never come looking for you?"

Bella backed away.

When her back hit the railing and she could retreat no further, she snapped in frustration, "Edward, get a grip! We've been over for a long time!"

Edward's expression changed instantly, and he closed the distance between them.

Bella found herself pinned against the railing.

Edward towered over her, about to do something when a passerby pointed at him and shouted, "Who are you? Let go of that young lady!"

It was the kind stranger who had exchanged a few words with Bella earlier.

Seeing that Bella wasn't there willingly, he tried to step forward to help, but was stopped in his tracks by a single glare from Edward.

"Tell him yourself who I am and what our relationship is," Edward demanded, clearly wanting Bella to publicly acknowledge their connection.

Bella clenched her jaw, refusing to speak.

The passerby, sensing the unusual dynamic between them, realized he might be intruding and backed off without further intervention.

Edward took Bella away, pulling her into his car.

As soon as she got in, Bella tried to open the door to escape, but Edward had already locked it.

"I have an appointment with someone soon. Let me out now," she insisted.

Edward mercilessly exposed her lie, "Someone, or your boyfriend?"

Bella faltered—she was indeed waiting for Wallace.

Edward started the engine, having never intended to let her go.

"You can forget about me letting you leave."

Shortly after they drove off, Wallace, unable to find Bella at the pedestrian bridge, called her. She wanted to answer but hesitated because of Edward's presence.

Seeing her hesitation, Edward mocked her.

"Go ahead and answer. Don't keep him waiting too long, or he might think you've run off with someone."

The phone kept ringing persistently.

Hearing the vibrations, Bella knew how worried Wallace must be. Not wanting him to search aimlessly, she finally answered.

Wallace immediately asked, "I came back and couldn't find you. Where did you go?"

Bella glanced at Edward. "I'm sorry, something came up and I had to leave. I didn't have time to tell you. Don't look for me—I'll come back on my own later."

Bella was terrified that Edward might interject, so she spoke carefully.

Only after she hung up did Edward comment dryly, "Not a single word of truth comes out of your mouth."

Bella felt a surge of frustration, her earlier anger returning. "If you hadn't brought me here, would I need to lie like this?"

Edward replied with casual indifference, "Well, since you've already lied, you might as well come back with me."

Bella's heart skipped a beat. "Go back where?"

Edward drove swiftly, not even looking up as he answered, "Back to Seaside City."

Bella's worst fears were confirmed. She wanted to force him to stop the car but feared a repeat of their previous accident. "Stop the car! I'm not going back!"

Edward gave her a sidelong glance and said coolly, "Sit properly and don't move around."

Seeing that he had no intention of stopping, Bella grew increasingly desperate.

Was she really going to be taken back to Seaside City with Edward?