8 008 Slap in the face, fallout, don’t come crying to me for mercy
At this momen
the entire private room was
extraordinarily quiet, with everyone waiting for Zoe
Bell’s answer.
She stood there quietly, silent for a long time.
She gazed steadily at the man kneeling before her.
Remembering the times in the hospital, his solicitous inquiries and attentive care that had once moved her, now seemed like countless venomous snakes gnawing
at her.
The poison seeped into her bones, chilling her to the
core!
As the seconds ticked by, Brandon Stone’s heart threatened to leap into his throat, while the surrounding friends and relatives grew impatient, whispering to each other.
“What’s going on?” someone quietly asked.
“Zoe, what are you absent–minded for? Are you too
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overjoyed and can’t react in time?” Vivi Lange laughed, playing peacemaker and continuously signaling Zoe Bell with her eyes..
Mina Bell wrung her hands, her lips whitened from biting.
Suddenly, someone started heckling, “Marry him, marry him-—”
Subsequently, most people in the private room chanted, urging Zoe Bell to accept him.
Even someone pushed her, urging her to accept quickly.
Brandon Stone too became aware that something was amiss, as Zoe Bell’s gaze was too unfamiliar.
At that moment, he suddenly had a feeling:
Previously, she said, it was over between them.
It might not have been a joke.
A wave of panic washed over him and without waiting for Zoe Bell to speak, he grabbed the ring with one hand, and her hand with the other, attempting to slide the ring onto her finger, but unexpectedly-
8 008 Slap in the face, fallout, don’t come crying to me for mercy
She suddenly raised her hand!
The ring fell to the ground.
Immediately, the room fell silent as a grave.
“Brandon Stone, I have told you, between us… it’s
already over,” Zoe Bell said in a soft voice, yet with firm determination.
“Zoe, with so many people here, don’t joke with me,” he said.
Brandon Stone had always thought that she had proposed breaking off their engagement that night only because she had seen him being intimate with Mina Bell, assuming it was a spur–of–the–moment outburst of anger.
He had secretly congratulated himself, thinking it meant that Zoe Bell still cared about him.
In her current situation, she should be grateful to marry him!
But Zoe Bell’s expression was serious, “I’m not joking.”
“Zoe…” Brandon Stone approached her, lowering his voice, “At least give me some face tonight, don’t throw a tantrum. We can talk about anything in private I’ll
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8.008 Slap in the face, fallout, don’t come crying lo me for morcy
agree to whatever you say.”
“Dowry, house, car, I definitely won’t shortchange you.”
“Our parents, your family, and all these relatives and friends are here, don’t embarrass me,” he pleaded.
Zoe Bell chuckled softly and glanced at a man not far
away.
“You didn’t mention the most crucial person.”
“Because…” he started.
“Mr. Hale is here!” she interjected.
Zoe Bell wasn’t foolish; ever since Mina Bell returned, the Stone Family wanted the legitimate heiress, that’s why they tolerated Brandon Stone’s closeness with Mina Bell.
This sudden marriage proposal was nothing but an attempt to leave a good impression on William Hale.
Being entangled with another woman, causing his rightful fiancée to break off the engagement, would certainly tarnish the reputation of the Stone Family. A negative impression on William Hale meant no chance of support for him.
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“Zoe, it’s not because of that you should know that I truly care about you!” Brandon Stone pressed in a low
voice.
He took a deep breath, “I know I’ve neglected you
recently, that was my fault, I apologize. I did speak too harshly last time, but that was also because I cared too much about you.”
“You’re always so indifferent to me, I really can’t see through you.”
Zoe Bell’s lips curled into a slight arc, “So your intimacy with Mina Bell is my fault?”
“You saw it last time too, she kissed me on her own
initiative.‘
“Her transgression was a result of your indulgence,” she said.
“Alright, knock it off, it’s my fault. There are so many people here, at least give me some face. I’ve booked the banquet already, please stop being mad at me.”
Their tugging and pulling had already made it clear to the surrounding people that something was amiss. Someone stepped forward to mediate, “Maybe it’s too
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8 008 Slap in the face, fallout, don’t come crying to me for mercy
sudden for Miss Bell; she’s not prepared. Anyway, you’re both young; you can spend more time together.”
“Exactly, there’s no rush.” The crowd said, chuckling and trying to defuse the situation.
Brandon Stone’s face grew increasingly embarrassing. He had prepared for so long, only to be refused, which was a severe blow to his pride. He felt utterly
humiliated.
He indeed liked Zoe Bell – smart and beautiful, she was impressive to take out.
To chase her, he had gone to great lengths.
Usually, she wouldn’t let him touch or hold her; she acted all high and mighty, but he was willing to wait. But that didn’t mean she could slap him in public.
Brandon Stone seldom stooped so low. He reached out to put his arm around her shoulder, but he hadn’t expected Zoe Bell to lift her hand…
“Slap-” A powerful slap!
It landed hard on Brandon Stone’s face, the crisp sound of the slap stunned everyone present.
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Even Kevin Bell and his wife and Mina Bell were
bewildered!
What on earth was going on?
Brandon Stone felt as though his face was on fire; it was the first time in his life he had been slapped.
He said through gritted teeth, “Zoe Bell, have I spoiled you too much?”
“I’ve given you enough face, and I’ve apologized. Don’t -go too far.”
“I’m telling you, I don’t need you; you’re not irreplaceable!”
Zoe Bell laughed softly, “I’m going too far? You know very well what you did to chase me.”
They conspired…
And took away her life!
Brandon Stone was stunned by her words, then,
realizing what she implied, retorted stubbornly, “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”
“You do understand!”
“You know about it? Who told you?”
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“There’s no wall in the world that can keep the wind
out.”
“Daring to hit me, you’ve got some nerve. I’m telling you, it was your parents who instigated the matter back then. If you dare, go home and confront them just as fiercely. When the Bell family kicks you out and you have nowhere to go, don’t come crying back to me.”
Zoe Bell sneered, but Brandon Stone turned and left!
“Brandon, Brandon Stone-” His father, Ethan Stone, called out from behind. He ignored him, causing the crowd to buzz with conversation.
He glanced at William Hale not far away, “Mr. Hale, I apologize for my son’s disgraceful behavior.”
“No worries.” He stood up, his expression unreadable, “I have some matters to take care of; I’ll be leaving
now.”
After William Hale left, Kevin Bell hurriedly apologized to Brandon’s parents, promising to talk to Zoe Bell when they got home. This scene had brought shame on both families in front of the proposal gathering.
“I really like Zoe; Mina is your biological daughter, and
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175
I understand you’re eager to make amends for her, but you can’t do it at the cost of another daughter’s happiness, can you?” Ethan Stone said with a smile.
He believed Zoe Bell’s refusal of the proposal was due to Kevin Bell and his wife pressuring her not to marry his son.
Ethan Stone’s implication was clear:
The Stone family didn’t want Mina Bell!
Kevin Bell smiled awkwardly made some polite remarks, then approached Zoe Bell and said through clenched teeth, “Come home with me!”
The night sky was enveloped in a layer of haziness, with dark clouds stretching out, making the air stuffy and oppressive.
“Sir, it looks like it might rain again tonight.” Zac Cruz, driving the car, glanced at the person in the back seat while stopped at a red light. His phone vibrated, he glanced at it and said, “After leaving the hotel, Brandon Stone went to Nightless.”
William Hale raised his eyebrows slightly, and Zac Cruz
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hurriedly explained, “That’s Greenland City’s most famous nightclub, they say there are beautiful women available as well.”
“Release the news.” Hale tapped his finger lightly on his knee, “The bigger the commotion, the better.”@
Zac Cruz nodded.
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