Chapter 398
Chapter 398:
But Bella had no doubt that a man like Cayson was far too discerning to be fooled. She didn’t need to remind him that Madonna wasn’t exactly his type.
Madonna, ever the keen observer, picked up on Bella’s disapproval instantly. She fell quiet, stepping aside and gazing at Cayson from a distance, her admiration shining through.
There was no denying it—Cayson was striking, almost impossibly handsome.
Cayson was about to slide into his car when a voice called out to him.
He turned, his sharp profile cutting through the light—strong jaw, chiseled nose, and lips pressed into a thin line.
Though his expression was tinged with impatience, the cool detachment he radiated drew Madonna in like a magnet. But Bella? She wasn’t quite satisfied with Cayson’s attitude.
Had she not seen the tenderness he showed Yelena, Bella might have brushed it off as just Cayson’s personality. But now, having witnessed how gentle he could be with Yelena, she often found herself imagining that same kindness directed toward her.
Yet, no matter how much she wished for it, his demeanor toward her remained distant—polite, but distant. Even when he bought Bella gifts like a caring brother should, it was never with the warmth she longed for.
Bella turned her gaze on him, her eyes shimmering with faux vulnerability. “Cayson, I got burned. It hurts so much,” she said, her voice trembling as if on the verge of tears. Cayson’s brow furrowed, concern flickering in his eyes.
“What happened? Why didn’t you go to the hospital right away if you got burned p>
Bella hesitated, then answered in a soft, almost apologetic tone, “It’s work hours, and I couldn’t get a cab p>
Without missing a beat, Cayson said, “Get in. I’ll take you to the hospital p>
𝓣𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓮𝓭 𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝓽𝓸 ⲅ𝓪𝓁𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝓈⧸𝓬𝓸𝓶
“Thank you, Cayson,” Bella whispered, feigning weakness as she climbed into the car.
Madonna followed suit, not about to miss such a rare chance to be near Cayson.
Cayson glanced at Madonna, but his expression remained unreadable, offering no more than a quick acknowledgment.
Madonna stared at Cayson, her heart racing at his handsome profile. So many things swirled in her head, but none of them found their way to her lips.
Cayson, a few years their senior and already the company’s manager, always exuded a stern, almost intimidating air. He was the type of person who didn’t make it easy for anyone to approach him.
Madonna opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Bella grabbed her hand.
Startled, Madonna met Bella’s eyes and instantly understood what Bella was planning.
Reluctantly, Madonna held her tongue. Though disappointment flickered in her gaze, she knew she had to listen to Bella; otherwise, she’d risk losing her only chance to get close to Cayson.
Trying to break the silence, Madonna said, “Bella, that was dangerous earlier. How did you end up spilling coffee on yourself? I thought I saw p>
Bella pretended to shoot her a warning look. “I’m fine. Let’s just drop it p>
Madonna’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Why can’t I say it? It was clearly p>
“Madonna!” Bella snapped as her eyes darted nervously, signaling her to stop.
With a sigh, Madonna obediently fell silent, the tension thick in the air.
Cayson raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the situation. “So, what exactly went down?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.
“Nothing,” Bella murmured softly, gripping Madonna’s hand a little tighter.
Despite Bella’s reassurance, Cayson made a mental note to dig into the matter later, wondering if something more was at play.
At the hospital, the doctor gave Bella a quick once-over. Thankfully, the thick coat she had been wearing had cushioned her, leaving only a faint redness, with no serious damage done.
“Just be more careful next time,” the doctor advised with a knowing smile. “Fresh coffee can burn if you’re not careful p>
Bella nodded earnestly. “I’ll be more careful, doctor. Promise p>
Just then, Jaxson came into the room, carrying a bag with clothes from Moda Style. Bella’s outfit was ruined with coffee stains, and she needed a change.
But when Bella saw the bag, a flash of hesitation crossed her face, and she paused, uncertainty in her eyes.
“You’re not a fan of Moda Style? We can always pick something else,” Cayson offered gently.
Bella bit her lip, shaking her head. “It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just p>
“Just what?” Cayson pressed, genuinely curious.
“I’m afraid to wear them,” Bella murmured.