Chapter 37
By now, most of Belle's guilt toward Kyle had faded, replaced by resentment and disdain.
After hearing everything, Chloe stood up angrily.
“Kyle is disgusting! I may not like Faith, but she doesn't deserve this. She gave Kyle money and even took a beating for him, and he didn't even ask how she was? I used to think he was somewhat of a man, but it was all a lie. Someone like him doesn't deserve to live!”
Belle nodded in agreement.
“Exactly. I’m glad I divorced him. Otherwise, who knows how much longer I would have been deceived? He deserves to be taught a lesson.”
“Just wait—Peter will deal with him soon enough. By then, he won’t even have a place to cry.”
Chloe walked over and linked arms with Belle. At work, she was Belle’s secretary, but privately, the two were like-minded friends.
“Alright, let’s stop wasting our energy getting mad over that loser. It’s not worth it. Tonight, you need to look stunning for the gala. Cheer up, okay?”
“Um, Belle, do you think I could come with you? I think I might be able to help you with something.”
After all, this was a charity gala hosted by the Rivas family, the undisputed powerhouse of Kendonia. Those attending would either be wealthy or influential. For Chloe, attending meant a chance to meet some of the elite young men, which could only be beneficial to her.
Without hesitation, Belle waved her hand dismissively.
“Of course, go pick a gown and come with me. But let me warn you: don’t say anything out of line. The people attending tonight are of high status, and we can’t afford to cause trouble.”
“Of course not! I’ll just stay by your side to observe. I won’t cause you any trouble. Thank you, Belle. You’re the best.”
Chloe put on a grateful face and happily went off to pick a gown. But Belle didn’t notice the fleeting look of bitterness and malice in Chloe’s eyes as she turned away.
Back when Belle was just starting her business and lacked resources, Chloe, who was in a slightly better financial position, often covered their meal expenses—nine times out of ten. Even now, Belle’s words carried a thinly veiled disdain, as if she saw Chloe as someone unsophisticated and unworthy of respect. Perhaps, in Belle’s mind, Chloe and Kyle were cut from the same cloth.
But this was the reality of the world: brutal and unforgiving. Chloe had fallen far behind Belle, the distance between them almost insurmountable. Yet, she refused to give up. She harbored the relentless desire to one day surpass Belle. Why should Belle have everything, while she had nothing?
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Kyle arrived and saw Anthony in the hallway. Anthony approached him quietly, lowering his voice.
“Mr. Archer, why are you here? You should be more careful. The Russos are around—they might try to harm you if they find out you’re here.”
Kyle chuckled lightly.
“You’re mistaken. If anything, they should kneel and thank me for not wiping out the Russo family entirely. As for any trouble they might cause, don’t worry. I’ll take care of them all at once.”
Hearing this, Anthony could only exhale quietly and shake his head. The difference between people was astonishing, but Anthony didn’t doubt Kyle’s words in the slightest. Having witnessed Kyle’s capabilities, Anthony’s respect—and fear—of him only grew. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder. Kyle was so powerful, so why didn’t he bother dressing up? He was wearing an ordinary shirt, nothing flashy or expensive.
What Anthony didn’t know was that the shirt was a gift from Julian—a one-of-a-kind piece by a renowned foreign designer, whose works were considered priceless. This shirt alone could easily be worth the lives of everyone in the Curtis family combined. The simplicity of its design was precisely why Julian had decided it was perfect for Kyle. The Curtis family had resources, but clearly, they didn’t have enough to recognize such things.
“Uh, Mr. Archer, are you planning to attend the Rivas family’s gala dressed like this?”
Kyle nodded matter-of-factly.
“Is there a problem? I’m heading to pick up Ray and take her there with me.”