Chapter 144: Have Some Restraint

Bella paused. "I think Dominic isn't someone who can be pushed around. He knows the consequences, so he must have a way to avoid giving in. I don't need to know or worry about it."

Liam sighed. "I'm just saying Amber isn't easy to deal with. She'll stop at nothing to get what she wants. If she's resorting to force, she won't let this go. Anyway, I've got to get back to work. Just a heads-up: if Amber tries to contact you again, ignore her."

Bella nodded. Later, when she wasn't busy, she went to the pharmacy to pick up some birth control pills. She hadn't taken them the last two times, so she hoped her cycle wasn't irregular.

The pharmacist teased her, "You're going through these too fast, Dr. Jones. Didn't you just pick up some a few days ago? You should have some restraint. You're young, but still"

Bella was so embarrassed she wanted to disappear. "That's not it I lost the last batch."

Bella practically fled the pharmacy. She stepped into the elevator, only to find Amber inside. They were alone.

Liam had just talked to Bella about Amber, and here she was. Amber carried herself with an air of superiority, dressed head-to-toe in designer brands without appearing tacky. She possessed a self-assuredness born of privilege—something most couldn't imitate. She looked at Bella with her usual contempt. "Ugh, what bad luck." (The website promotion has been removed.)

Bella breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Amber wasn't there to see her. Bella pressed the button for the cardiac department and stood aside, ignoring her.

But then, Amber saw the pills in Bella's hand. Without warning, she snatched them.

"Birth control pills? Hah"

Bella was annoyed. "Give them back."

Amber gave her a cold, disdainful look. "And if I don't? If Dominic is your bed partner, wouldn't you want to get pregnant? Why would you need birth control pills? Unless you're cheating on him with someone else. Women like you are truly disgusting!"

Bella couldn't be bothered to explain. "Please return my things. If you want to throw a tantrum, do it at home. I'm not here to entertain you."

Amber casually tossed the bottle back to Bella. "My ambition lies in his career, and I can give him everything he wants."

"Whatever. Soon enough, none of this will matter to me or Dominic. He has no reason to stay in Joville."

As soon as the elevator reached the cardiac department, Bella left. She didn't want to spend another second with Amber. Even though it wasn't a major confrontation, Bella trembled—not from anger, but from something else she couldn't name. Amber's confidence in taking Dominic away was unsettling. Thinking about the situation ahead, her heart sank. It felt like a gaping black hole had opened, letting in a bone-chilling wind.

That afternoon, Amber arrived at Miller Manor to find Dominic on the living room couch, reading a magazine. Pudding lay quietly at his feet. She didn't react to Amber's arrival, and Amber didn't bother to greet her. Amber muttered, "Useless dog. What an ungrateful mutt."

Dominic looked up. "You've got thirty minutes. I don't have time to waste. If you have anything to say, say it quickly."

Amber sat beside him. She gave Pudding a disgusted look before kicking her. It wasn't a hard kick, so Dominic, silently stroking Pudding to comfort her, restrained his anger.

Amber, calculating as usual, casually brought up Bella. "I was at the hospital today for a checkup, and I ran into Bella. She was picking up some birth control pills."