Even a simple belt on him exuded a refined, aristocratic charm.
“They say giving a man a belt is a way to win his heart. Are you worried I might run away?” Dave looked up and teased.
Bianca stepped forward, grabbed his belt, and pulled him closer. She narrowed her eyes and asked, “How do you know so much? Have you received a belt from another woman before?”
Dave had recently learned about such things from books. Understanding the nuances of relationships had been a challenge for him.
He gently pressed Bianca’s shoulders, backing her against the shoe cabinet. Cupping her face, he said firmly, “Don’t misunderstand. You’re the first and only one to give me a belt.”
Captivated by his intense gaze, Bianca’s bag slipped to the floor, revealing a glimpse of the nightgown inside.
Dave glanced down. “What’s this? New clothing?”
Bianca blushed deeply. She rushed to grab the bag, but Dave quickly pulled out the nightgown before she could.
It was a red nightgown with cut-out details.
“Oh no!” Bianca’s cheeks turned even redder.
Embarrassed, she closed her eyes, wishing she could disappear.
But Dave’s warm hand gently wrapped around her waist. She heard his low, captivating voice. “How did you know I like this? Wear it for me tonight.”
Bianca opened her eyes, biting her lip as she whispered into Dave’s ear, “I didn’t expect you to be so forward. You’re quite bold.”
Dave’s gaze intensified, and he lifted Bianca into his arms.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Bianca asked, “What are you planning?”
Dave carried her towards the bedroom, grinning, “Taking you to bed.”
Early the next morning, Bianca’s phone woke her up. Stretching her stiff muscles, she answered, “Hello.”
“Bianc, come to the office!”
It was Diana on the phone. Shaking off her sleepiness, Bianca got out of bed.
“There’s a crowd gathered in front of the company. Come here first.”
“Okay, I’ll be there soon.”
Walking out of the bedroom, she found the table set with breakfast that Dave had prepared and a note: Off to work, remember to eat.
Bianca took a few bites of the sandwich and quickly left.
Stepping out of the taxi, she saw a crowd gathered outside the company. Making her way through the crowd, she found Peter and Stacey in the center.
Frowning, she asked, “What’s going on here?”
Peter turned and saw Bianca’s composed face. It had been a few days since he last saw her, and she now appeared more mature and poised. Peter knew Bianca had become a subject of discussion lately.
He had expected Bianca to return home and face the consequences of her downfall, possibly ready to apologize.
But he never imagined Bianca not only succeeding but also suddenly resigning to start her own company.
Last night, after hearing the news from Ashley, Stacey tried to provoke Peter, saying, “Peter, starting a company isn’t easy. Bianca just graduated; what does she know? It might be too much for her. If her company fails, you’ll have to deal with the fallout.”
“She didn’t offer money from her mother to support your company. Instead, she left you with a potential problem. Once her company takes off, it could cause issues. It could be troublesome if it affects Ashley and Joshua’s relationship.”
Despite Peter’s experience in business, he struggled to manage his company well. Stacey’s words made sense to him. He felt the need to intervene and prevent Bianca from starting her own business.
“Bianca, just close down the office and come home with me,” Peter said, giving Bianca a cold stare.
Bianca was shocked. “What are you talking about?”
Peter replied angrily, “Bianca, this has gone too far. How could you start a company without talking to me first? Do I mean anything to you as your father?”
Bianca scoffed. “I’ve already said you’re not my father.”
“How dare you!” Peter’s face turned red with anger.
But Stacey smiled and said, “Bianca, legally, Peter is your father. If your company fails, he’ll have to sort things out. Don’t be stubborn. You’ve probably used up most of your mother’s money. Just give whatever’s left to your father and get a regular job. Our family can’t afford any more problems.”
It took Bianca a moment, but she finally understood. They were concerned her company might lose money and affect them.
Her father, Peter, never had faith in her ability to run the company well.
He had always doubted her.
A bitter smile appeared on Bianca’s face.
Seeing that Bianca wasn’t paying attention, Peter shouted, “Can’t you be less of a burden, unlike Ashley? She’s not my biological daughter, yet she supports the family. Marrying the Reed family, one of the top families in town brings honor to us. Ashley is exceptional. And you, what have you ever done besides getting on my nerves?”
Bianca sneered. “You know Ashley isn’t your real daughter. Aren’t you worried Stacey will kick you out once Ashley marries the Reed family? When Ashley and Stacey are happy, then what about you? You will be left alone!”
Stacey’s eyes widened in shock that Bianca had read her mind. But until her daughter married into the Reed family, she needed to keep Peter on her side.
“Bianca, I’ve loved your father for years. I would never do that. Maybe you’re just jealous of Ashley, so you’re trying to stir up trouble,” Stacey retorted.
Bianca looked calmly at the two upset people in front of her. “Why should I be jealous of her? Do you really think Joshua will marry her? Don’t be so easily fooled, Stacey. Do you even know what kind of person your daughter is? What makes her worthy of being Mrs. Reed?”
“Hey!” Stacey was speechless, her face turning red with anger as she held onto Peter, tears forming in her eyes. “Look at what your daughter is doing, Peter. If we let her take over the company now, it’ll be a disaster in the future. Marrying into the Reed family won’t be easy for Sheila. Should Sheila ask the Reeds for financial help later on?”
Stacey was adamant about opposing Bianca’s business plans. Whether the company succeeded or failed, it would cause problems for her.
Meanwhile, Peter was patiently waiting for Sheila to marry into the Reed family, hoping to get financial help to save his failing company. Bianca, on the other hand, needed to stay out of his way and not make things worse.
“You have to close down your company today,” Peter instructed, gesturing to the group of imposing men he had brought along. “Start now.”
These men, tall and intimidating, were clearly not to be messed with.
Peter had hired them to intimidate.