Chapter 231

Chapter 231

If Dennis was in Riverside City, then Frederick...

That tall figure from earlier flashed through Beatrice's mind again.

No wonder he looked so familiar.

She turned, explaining gently to Nina, "Nina, don't misunderstand. He's a friend of an old acquaintance. We've met before. It's not what you think."

She deliberately drew clear boundaries, both reassuring Nina and reminding Dennis to watch his words.

Nina nodded uncertainly, but her mind still swirled with questions.

A friend of an old acquaintance?

Dennis also realized his slip, awkwardly scratching his head, though his expression didn't dare relax one bit.

He had no time to worry about romantic entanglements—his brain held only one massive alarm blaring frantically: Frederick was nearby!

Beatrice was here too!

The two were like mutually attracted planets about to collide in a cataclysmic crash.

And he was the unlucky meteorite caught between them, about to be crushed.

"So... Ms. Jenner," he changed the form of address, his tone urgent, "what's going on? Who are these people?"

Beatrice helped Nina sit in a nearby chair, her expression returning to its usual calm.

She didn't answer immediately but countered, "The person you brought just now—who was he?"

Dennis's heart lurched, his scalp prickling.

"Nobody! Just a friend, passing through! He didn't see anything, really! I sent him to the tea shop on the other end of town for drinks."

He spoke rapidly, as if afraid something terrible would happen if he slowed down.

Watching him grow more obviously guilty with each word, Bella's gaze shifted slightly. She had her suspicions, but didn't call him out.

Now wasn't the time to press that issue.

"They're coming after me." Beatrice withdrew her gaze, stating the facts plainly.

"This isn't the first time. A few days ago, they trashed the shop."

"Coming after you?" Dennis's brow furrowed tightly. "Who did you offend?"

Beatrice shook her head. "I don't know. Since coming here, I haven't made enemies with anyone. They just want to make it impossible for me to stay, want me to leave."

She spoke lightly, but Dennis's heart raced with alarm.

Beatrice was alone now, pregnant—encountering this kind of thing, her first instinct would definitely be to run.

Once Beatrice left, she'd become rootless driftwood again. Whether she lived or died would be easy to control.

The more Dennis thought about it, the colder his back became.

"So... what are you planning to do?" Dennis looked at Beatrice with unprecedented gravity.

"I was going to wait and see." Beatrice's gaze swept across the devastated shop, her voice carrying barely perceptible exhaustion.

"But now it seems that won't work."

She reached down, gently touching her belly.

That gesture made her expression instantly soften—and harden with resolve.

She could endure any amount of grievance herself, but she couldn't let her child face even a hint of danger.

Today Dennis had appeared by chance, but what about next time?

Since those people had found this place, they wouldn't give up easily.

Riverside City was beautiful, but no longer a place of peace.

Nina listened to their conversation, gradually understanding the gravity of the situation.

She clutched Beatrice's sleeve, her voice tearful. "Bella, let's go! Let's leave here! It's too dangerous!"

Bella patted her hand reassuringly, then looked up at Dennis.

"You're right. We can't stay here."

She made her decision. "I'm going back to Silverwave City."

Dennis froze, complex emotions surging through him.

Back to Silverwave City?

Wouldn't that make it easier for Frederick to find her?

But thinking again, in the current situation, returning to Silverwave City was actually Beatrice's safest choice.

Silverwave City was Frederick's territory.

Between two evils, choose the lesser.

Rather than being harassed here by thugs to the point of constant fear—possibly even hurting the baby—if Beatrice went back, at least her personal safety would be absolutely guaranteed.

"Good! Going back is good!" Dennis immediately agreed, his attitude as enthusiastic as completing an important mission.

"Silverwave City is safe! I... I'll arrange everything! No, I mean, whatever help you need, just ask!"

He nearly let something slip again.

Beatrice looked at him, her eyes seeming to see through everything.

"You don't need to arrange anything for me. I just need you to do me one favor."

"Name it!"

"Help me keep my presence here secret. From anyone." Bella enunciated each word clearly and solemnly. "Including that 'friend' of yours."

Dennis's heart jumped violently. Looking at Bella's placid face, he felt all his little schemes had been completely exposed.

She'd already guessed who that man was.

He nodded seriously. "Don't worry. What happened today—heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know, and Nina knows. I swear!"

If he stayed in this town any longer, his little life would truly be forfeit.

"Good." Bella received his guarantee and relaxed slightly.

She turned around, taking one last look at this shop that had held her brief dream.

Those carefully selected decorations, those meticulously designed blueprints, those warm afternoon sunbeams...

All would become the past.

Running away wouldn't solve the problem.

For the child's sake, she'd chosen to leave Frederick, seeking peace and quiet.

But now reality told her—as long as she carried the Stuart family bloodline in her belly, there was no truly peaceful place in this world.

Since she couldn't escape, she'd go back.

Back to the center of that whirlpool, to face everything herself.

She gently stroked the dirt-stained cloth tiger in her pocket, her eyes gradually filling with determination.

Though the decision came hastily, Beatrice's heart settled.

"I want to transfer this shop." She told Nina calmly.

"If you're willing, you can stay and continue running it. If not, I'll prepare severance pay and a recommendation letter."

Nina's eyes reddened as she shook her head repeatedly. "Bella, wherever you go, I go!"

"Silly girl." Beatrice smiled, then turned to Dennis. "For the transfer procedures, I might need to trouble you to find someone reliable."

"No problem! Leave it to me!" Dennis thumped his chest, practically swearing to heaven.

Beatrice said nothing more, only, "Thank you."

Dennis breathed a long sigh of relief—Beatrice was finally heading back to Silverwave City.

He didn't dare linger, afraid Frederick might get impatient at the café and come looking—that would be a true catastrophe.

Making an excuse, he beat a hasty retreat.

The next day, Beatrice began packing.

The place she rented was a residence with a small courtyard, quiet and elegant.

The landlords were an elderly couple who'd gone to live with their children out of town—they'd grown quite fond of this quiet, clean young woman.