Tension between Theodore and Zack

Tension crackled around the table like overheated wires. Ivy, her eyes narrowed, drilled a hole into Bella across the table. How dare this bumpkin dine with them in this opulent restaurant?

If it were not for Theodore, such a woman couldn't dare lay a foot in a fancy restaurant like this.

The more she thought, the angrier she grew. Ivy's fists clenched beneath the table. To her, Bella was an opportunist, a gold-digger. She dumped Zack when she found a richer and more powerful man.

'Bitch,' she muttered inwardly.

However, she wasn't going to let her go so easily.

With a saccharine smile plastered on her face, Ivy addressed Bella. "How was your experience working with Mr. Reid?" she asked, maintaining a calm tone and not displaying her hostility. "Don't mind. I am just curious."

"It was nice."

Before Bella could fully respond, Zack cut in, "By the way, Mr. Reid, she is my employee. She will only follow my orders. She shouldn't be working for you."

"Is that so?" Theodore shot his eyebrows skyward, a flicker of annoyance flashing in his eyes. "Mr. Hudson here is quite within his rights. I simply requested Bella to sort through some design prospects. Nothing more."

He didn't appreciate Zack's territorial tone. His eyes darted to Bella for a fleeting moment, a hint of irritation brewing. It was a clear challenge.

"And as the investor in this project," Theodore continued with authority, "I believe I have the final say in assigning tasks. Don't you agree, Mr. Hudson?"

The air hung heavy, a silent duel raging between the two men, with Bella caught in the crossfire. Ivy's eyes darted between the men, sensing the growing conflict.

Zack's face tightened, his frustration evident. He had wanted to assert his authority over Bella, but Theodore's calm yet commanding response left him feeling cornered.

Ivy, sensing the need to diffuse the situation, forced a smile. "Of course, Mr. Reid. We all appreciate your involvement and support in the project. Bella is lucky to have the opportunity to work under your guidance."

Theodore's expression softened slightly, though his eyes remained hard.

Zack, unwilling to back down completely, added, "I think you are misunderstanding it, Mr. Reid. As part of this project, she must be available to work on it. But that doesn't mean she can neglect her duties at my office. We have mountains of paperwork, and if one person's absent, the workload falls on the others."

His gaze flicked to Bella before returning to Theodore. "If you need her to work on anything, let her do it at her workplace, not at yours."

Bella felt a cold dread pool in her stomach, a bad premonition hitting her hard. She had a feeling that their argument would soon heat up and the situation would turn ugly. This was the last thing she wanted to see.

One was her husband, and the other was her boss. Both were important to her, and she was caught squarely in the middle. Offending either was unthinkable, yet silence felt like a betrayal to both. She desperately wanted to interject, but the necessary words seemed to stick in her throat.

Theodore, however, remained unfazed. He leaned back in his chair with a flourish, exuding an air of unwavering confidence. "I do what I want. This project is running with my investment. Who works where will be my decision. Unless, of course, you have any objections?"

His voice, though deceptively calm, held a sharp undercurrent of challenge. Theodore's unwavering confidence only seemed to intensify Zack's frustration.

Zack's jaw clenched, then relaxed with a forced sigh. This project was his golden ticket. Success meant his company gracing the Fortune 500 list. Besides, Theodore was a big client, and he couldn't anger him.

Once the company was stable, he would break ties with the Hills and marry the woman he liked. Till then, he had to maintain this charade.

"Mr. Reid," Zack began apologetically. "I apologize if my words came across as a challenge to your authority. All I'm suggesting is that Bella remains at the office to handle her existing workload alongside the project tasks. I hope I've clarified my position."

Theodore's face was a mask of simmering irritation. Maintaining his composure felt like navigating a minefield. For a moment, he thought he would cancel the collaboration. But he normally didn't back down when he took a job.

Besides, Bella was involved, and there was no way he would step back. However, he knew he couldn't keep Bella at his office forcefully since she wasn't his employee.

"I am full," Theodore muttered, clattering his fork down. "The meal wasn't quite what I expected. Nevertheless, I trust the collaboration will proceed smoothly." His gaze flickered across the table, a silent warning aimed at Zack.

Zack understood the implication of Theodore's words—a clear warning not to challenge him. "I promise to work hard for it," he replied politely.

Theodore stood up, pushing his chair back with controlled force. "I have important matters to address," he said, his tone clipped. "Bella, are you done?"

"Yes." Bella quickly rose from her seat, sensing the urgency in his voice.

"Bella should come with us," Zack chimed in.

"She still has some unfinished work," Theodore replied coolly. "She will report to you as soon as she finishes her work." Without waiting for a response, he took Bella by the arm and led her out of the restaurant.

Zack gritted his teeth, feeling a mix of insecurity, resentment, and hurt. The struggle for dominance was evident, and he was losing.

"She is such a bitch," Ivy muttered under her breath. "When she saw a rich guy, she didn't hesitate to throw herself at him."

Her mouth twisted in disdain as she imagined what methods Bella had used to trap Theodore Reid, a man known for his disinterest in women.

"She bewitched Mr. Reid. You should be lucky you didn't fall into her trap. Who knows what her true intentions are?"

"Keep your mouth shut, Ivy," Zack growled, his patience wearing thin. "Bella is not like what you think."

"How are you so sure about it?" Ivy countered. "You know very little about her. She is clearly hiding her true intentions under that innocent facade. Trapping a man like Theodore Reid isn't easy, but Bella managed it. Do you really think she is a simple woman?"

"I am done here." Zack abruptly stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. He stormed out of the restaurant, a whirlwind of emotions trailing behind him.

Outside, Theodore and Bella walked briskly toward the car. Theodore's grip on her arm was firm yet protective. Bella's mind raced, the tension of the confrontation still fresh. She glanced at Theodore, his expression unreadable but determined.

Once inside the car, Theodore finally spoke. "Don't let Zack or Ivy get to you. Focus on your work. You have a lot to accomplish."

Bella nodded, still reeling from the tension.

Theodore's eyes softened slightly. "Let's get back to the office and finish what we started."

As the car pulled away, Bella took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. The encounter with Zack and Ivy had left her shaken, but she couldn't afford to be distracted by petty jealousies and power struggles. She had to impress Miss Willow with her creations.

The ride back to Theodore's office was shrouded in an oppressive silence. As soon as they entered the CEO's office, Theodore commanded, "Resign from Zack's company and come work for me."

Bella blinked, momentarily stunned. "Resign? Why? Why would you want me to do that?"

Theodore's gaze was unwavering. "You're my wife, Bella. You shouldn't be working for another man. You can work here, with me. I'll offer you a better salary than Zack ever could."