Chapter 118: Hard Not to Speculate

Nella composed herself and said, "Lia's blind date is Oscar. I'm just checking to see what he's like. If you don't want to share, that's fine." Din lowered his gaze back to his phone. "He's a good guy—honest, hardworking, single, and talented. Anyone who works for me isn't useless. Lia is lucky." She breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll head to my room."

Back in her bedroom, she continued chatting with Lia. "Did you hear that? He praised Oscar. He usually doesn't give compliments, so you can rest assured."

While Lia felt secure about her date, she couldn't resist teasing Bella. "I heard Dominic's reaction when you asked about another man. It sounded pretty intense. I thought there would be smoke when you two are together, but it seems…" Bella didn't want to discuss Dominic and replied listlessly, "It's just a passing facade. Instead of gossiping about me, you should focus on your studio."

Lia's mind raced with excitement. "I just think you two are a perfect match! After knowing each other for 20 years, it would be natural to be together, right? Growing up together—how enviable!"

Bella reflected on her time in Miller Manor and wondered what was there to envy. When Richard was alive, she often sought him out after exams to get her brother's praise and affection for her grades, especially when Dominic was around. She wanted to be like the other sisters. Yet Dominic would always walk away with a stoic expression, indifferent to her achievements. She had never been his pride. Eventually, she hid her test papers after each exam and never brought them up again. She and Dominic felt like strangers living under the same roof for many years. There was nothing enviable about that.

After ending the voice call and finishing her evening routine, Bella had just settled into bed when a knock on the door startled her. At this hour, it was likely Sylvia. Feeling too lazy to get up, she said, "The door's unlocked. Come in."

The door opened, and Dominic stood at the threshold, eyeing her sprawled out in bed. He didn't step inside. "It's hard not to let one's imagination run wild when you invite a man into your bedroom at this hour. Come downstairs." Bella quickly sat up, adjusting her nightgown. "I'll be right there!"

Watching Dominic turn to leave, she anxiously tugged at her hair, surprised it was him instead of Sylvia.

She followed him to the courtyard, where he sat on a wicker chair. His long fingers wrapped around a delicate teacup, and he motioned for her to sit. Seeing his serious demeanor made Bella a bit uneasy. She hesitated and said, "I'll stand for a bit… I've been sitting too long today, and my legs are numb."

Dominic raised an eyebrow, fixing his gaze on her. "Do you want me to talk to you like this?"

Feeling a bit tongue-tied, Bella eventually settled into the wicker chair across from him. He pushed the glass of iced tea toward her. A professional instinct kicked in, and she casually remarked, "You shouldn't drink tea at night; it'll keep you awake."

He replied, "It's hot out, and this will cool you down. It won't affect your sleep."

Bella bit her lip. "Is there something you wanted to discuss?"

Leaning back in his chair, Dominic looked up at the few scattered stars in the sky. After a moment, he said, "I need to go abroad for a business trip, probably for a month or two. Do you want to come along?" Bella was completely speechless, unsure of his intention. Their jobs had always been separate, and he had no reason to take her along on a work trip, so she was at a loss for words.

(Note: The final promotional sentence was removed as it is irrelevant to the story's content.)