Chapter 301: Chapter 301 Being a guy is harder than I thought
Sam’s anger had not yet cooled, but as he sat alone in his office, his expression began to shift. The fury burning in his eyes dimmed into something colder, darker, cunning. He thought of Jessica, probably still sulking in their bedroom, cursing Stella’s name for bringing shame upon them. Yet beneath all her frustration, Jessica still had that manipulative charm, that soft, sugar-coated voice she used whenever she wanted something.
A slow smile crept onto his face. Yes, she could use that voice again. But not on him this time. On Bella.
Bella, the girl who had somehow, no, because of them, become Leo’s wife. The one now living under his protection, surrounded by wealth, status, and influence. She was the key to everything they were about to lose.
Sam’s lips curled further, his eyes glinting with greedy resolve. Jessica could butter her up, act like a caring mother, shed a few tears, play the part of a woman longing for her lost child, and Bella, soft-hearted as she was, would fall for it. That girl was too kind, too naïve to refuse her "family."
He leaned back in his chair, letting the thought sink in, the smile stretching wider across his face as the plan began to take shape.
If Bella agreed to help, Leo’s wealth would flow into their hands. The debts would vanish. Their reputation would be restored. Their humiliation erased. The world would once again bow to the name they had nearly lost.
A low, greedy chuckle escaped his throat, quiet at first, then darker as it echoed in the empty room.
With that poisonous satisfaction, Sam stood up and left the office, walking down the hall to the master bedroom.
Jessica was sitting on the edge of the bed, her posture stiff, her expression drawn with anger. The moment she heard his footsteps, she quickly closed her phone and looked up, her eyes flashing.
Sam sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist and resting his face against her neck. "Still angry?" he murmured, his tone soft but coaxing.
Jessica didn’t reply, only exhaled sharply through her nose.
"Don’t be angry," Sam said, tightening his hold. "We both spoiled Stella, I admit it. She was our precious little girl, but Jessica, you have another daughter too, Isabella."
Her brows lifted, and though she pretended innocence, the meaning behind his tone wasn’t lost on her. "What do you mean, Sam?" she asked coolly. "You know Bella doesn’t think of me as her mother." She sighed dramatically, brushing her hair back.
Sam’s lips twitched into a cunning smile. "I think Isabella still craves motherly love," he said. "Maybe you should do something to melt her heart. She’s emotional; she’ll believe you if you show her affection."
Jessica scoffed. "You don’t understand. Leonardo doesn’t let us near her. He’s turned her against us!" she snapped, bitterness dripping from her voice.
"I have a way," Sam said, lowering his tone. "I’m not a cruel man, Jessica, but we don’t have a choice anymore."
Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
He leaned closer, his breath brushing her ear as he whispered his plan, slow and deliberate, each word darker than the last.
Jessica froze, her eyes widening. When he pulled away, she stared at him in disbelief. "That’s your plan?" she whispered. "You actually thought of something like that?"
Sam’s smile didn’t waver. "Do you agree with it?"
Jessica was silent for a long moment before she nodded. "Yes," she said finally, her voice steady. "We need to save our business, no matter what it takes."
Sam smiled in satisfaction and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. "I love you, Jess," he murmured.
Her lips curved into a faint smile as she whispered back, "Love you too."
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Lunch Break
"It’s lunchtime already," Leo said, glancing at his watch. His voice was calm, that usual commanding tone slipping into something casual. "There’s a canteen on this floor too," he added, standing from his chair and straightening his violet shirt. "I have to leave for a meeting."
Bella quickly looked up, forcing a polite nod, though the relief in her chest was impossible to hide. The moment the door closed behind him, she exhaled softly and slumped a little in her chair, her shoulders finally relaxing.
"Finally," she whispered under her breath.
The office began to stir as people gathered their things, chatting lightly as they made their way toward the canteen. Bella bit her lip, glancing around nervously. She wasn’t sure whether to go with them or stay put. She didn’t exactly know the "guy rules." Should she act chill? Should she talk about work? Or just silently eat like a professional hacker robot?
Her thoughts were cut short when someone suddenly threw their arms around her shoulders from behind.
"Hey, hey, Iiiissaaac!" Jeffrey’s overly cheerful voice nearly made her jump.
Bella froze. Every muscle in her body went rigid. For a heartbeat, she forgot how to breathe.
Then it hit her. Right. She was pretending to be a guy.
This is normal, she told herself quickly, her mind scrambling to stay calm. Guys always do this, right? Hug each other, pat backs, shake hands like slapping bricks together. Totally normal. Absolutely fine. Nothing weird about this at all.
Jeffrey grinned widely, completely oblivious to the panic written all over her face. "Come on, Isaac! Everyone’s heading to the canteen! Let’s grab lunch together!" he said, tightening his arm around her shoulders as if they were long-lost brothers.
Bella’s lips twitched. Her body felt stiff as a board. Totally normal, she repeated mentally, trying to ignore the fact that her face was heating up and her brain was screaming help me!
"H-hey..." she said awkwardly, her voice coming out a pitch too high. "Y-yeah, sure, let’s go."
Jeffrey gave her an approving pat on the back that nearly knocked the air out of her lungs. "That’s the spirit, bro!" he said cheerfully, leading her toward the hallway.
Bella managed a strained smile, thinking miserably to herself, Being a guy is harder than I thought.