Chapter 138 Choosing a Man Shouldn't Be Based Only on Appearance
I took a sip of tea.
Then took another sip.
Marcus's piercing gaze locked onto me. "Bella, your cup's been empty for a while."
I quietly set down the cup, my ears turning red.
Lucas chuckled, the rising lilt in his voice showing he was in a good mood.
I looked up at him. His lips curved into a smile, clean and handsome.
Most of the time Lucas liked to keep a cold face—a habit shaped by his experiences and position. Though he looked striking when cold, Alfred often said that when Lucas smiled, the whole world paled in comparison.
I thought Alfred wasn't exaggerating. When Lucas smiled, his emotions showed through, making him come alive. The distant, cold air faded away, invisibly closing the gap between him and others.
Marcus suddenly stood up, blocking the space between Lucas and me.
Pointing at Lucas's nose, he warned fiercely, "Don't use your looks to seduce Bella!"
Marcus turned around and poked my forehead, saying through gritted teeth, "Don't let him tempt you!"
I shrank back, quickly averting my gaze and biting my lip.
I really wasn't shallow, but Lucas's appearance was exactly my type.
Whether it was his striking features, slim waist and long legs, or that cool yet slightly rebellious and playful air—everything perfectly matched my taste.
In the past, whenever Lucas hurt me, I'd just look at him and couldn't help forgiving him, my boundaries retreating again and again.
Marcus's worry wasn't unfounded.
I took a deep breath, adding layer after layer of protection around my heart, then calmly picked up the teapot and stood up.
"I'll make some tea."
Once I left, the living room became a battlefield for the three men.
The main combatants were Marcus and Lucas.
I stood at the kitchen doorway, ears perked up to eavesdrop.
Lucas said sincerely again, "I know I've wronged Bella too much in the past. I'll do everything I can to make it up to her. I'll gradually fix my flaws—you can supervise me."
Marcus sneered. "Come on. Bella's not even here anymore. Who are you performing for? Don't I know what kind of person you are? Selfish, sneaky, cunning, and cruel! Why this sudden change? What are you really after?"
I squeezed my palms, silently listening.
Brian's gentle voice spoke up, saying reasonably, "We're the people closest to Bella. The fact that you're trying to win us over shows you really do care about her. Your change is a good thing. But whether you and Bella can get back together isn't up to us—it depends on what Bella thinks. Her thoughts are what matter most."
"Of course," Lucas said immediately. "I won't force her anymore. I used the wrong approach before. Bella cares about your opinions, so I can't and shouldn't pursue her behind your backs."
I thought to myself, that's not what you've been doing lately.
Brian's attitude softened. Marcus urgently reminded him, "Lucas obviously has bad intentions. Brian, we can't let him get close to Bella!"
Brian remained patient. "Marcus, I think we can give Lucas some tests. Whether he's sincere or not, we'll know after testing him."
Silence outside for a few seconds.
Marcus asked eagerly, "Any kind of test?"
Even without seeing it, I could imagine Marcus raising his eyebrows with a mischievous smile.
Marcus was definitely already thinking up all sorts of difficult challenges to torment Lucas.
Lucas's voice came again, without hesitation, firm and confident. "I'm willing to accept any test."
I curled my fingers slightly. The kettle on the stove suddenly whistled loudly, disrupting my thoughts.
My mood was boiling like the water in that kettle.
The cabinet above the stove was covered with a layer of warm steam. I walked over quickly. The moment my fingertips touched the lid, the scalding temperature made me instantly pull back.
I let out a small cry.
I didn't dare get distracted again. I quickly grabbed the heat-resistant glove hanging on the wall, opened the teapot lid, added some tea leaves to continue brewing, then took off the glove, turned on the faucet, and held my finger under cold running water.
"Did you burn yourself?"
I jumped.
When did Lucas come over? I hadn't heard any footsteps.
"It's not serious," I said calmly and steadily.
The water fell into the stainless steel sink, slowly swirling down the drain.
I turned off the faucet and was about to get some tissues when Lucas handed me one. I dried the water droplets from my hand, then he naturally took my hand and examined my reddened fingertip in the sunlight from the window.
He frowned slightly.
"How can you be so careless?" His voice was lower than usual.
Lucas gently rubbed my burned fingertip, his movements slow and tender. The body heat washed away by the cold water gradually returned. In a moment, he lowered his head, his warm breath brushing my fingertip.
Then soft, slightly cool lips pressed against it, just for an instant.
I saw the emotion hidden deep in his eyes. My heartbeat suddenly went wild, like a drum pounding hard against my chest.
Marcus said not to judge a man only by his appearance.
But what's the point of a man who isn't good-looking?
The doorbell rang—another visitor.
"Bella! Are you home?" Jacqueline's cheerful voice came from the living room. I snapped back to reality and pushed Lucas's hand away, trying to stay composed.
Turning around, I saw my reflection in the glass door—my cheeks were red, my ears were red too.
"Jacqueline, what brings you here?" I asked.
"To hang out with you," Jacqueline answered happily, then asked puzzled, "Why is your face so red?"
"The kitchen's too hot." I fanned my cheeks with my hand.
Lucas behind me seemed to laugh again, very softly. I turned around and glared at him in warning.
Brian greeted her. "Jacqueline, long time no see. Do you still remember me?"
"Of course I do!" Jacqueline happily chatted with Brian, then asked Marcus, "Marcus, I didn't see you the past few days. Have you been busy?"
Marcus certainly wouldn't tell the truth. Although they'd been playmates for a while as children, they'd had no contact for many years.
He answered casually, "My friend was seriously injured. I went to visit him."
Marcus wasn't exactly lying. Mole had been badly hurt before and still could only rest in bed.
Jacqueline didn't doubt him at all. Instead, she asked with concern, "Is he a close friend of yours?"
Marcus nodded.
Jacqueline continued, "Is he badly hurt? Do you need me to recommend a good doctor?"
"No need. Roger is excellent, and we have Bella too," Marcus refused without hesitation.
"The doctor I know is different!" Jacqueline stamped her foot petulantly, then quickly looked at me to explain. "Bella is excellent too! I didn't mean Bella isn't excellent! Yesterday when you saved Katarina, someone recorded it and posted it online. Lots of people are praising you!"
I couldn't help but smile. "I think I'm pretty excellent too."
"Yes, but..." Jacqueline scratched her head.
Brian laughed. "Bella's teasing you. Who's this doctor you're talking about?"
Jacqueline quickly answered, "It's the Miracle Surgeon!"