William Hale's sudden appearance was unexpected for everyone present.
Even Zoe Bell was stunned for a few seconds.
Brandon Stone's face turned deathly pale, given that the term 'misbehaving man' had come from his own mouth.
The Bells' faces became even more embarrassed, while Mina Bell, not recognizing him, looked bewildered yet impressed, for the man before her was truly outstanding.
Young but exuding a maturity and restraint uncommon among his peers.
Broad-shouldered, slim-waisted, tall and long-legged.
Indifferently haughty, like he could handle anything thrown at him.
"Just now, everyone was so certain, why has no one anything to say now?" William Hale said with a genteel tone.
"I merely happened upon Miss Bell and thought, since I've been in business talks with President Stone lately, and knowing that she is engaged to the son of the Stone Family, I saw her dressed thinly on a rainy day and kindly looked after her, not expecting to cause such a misunderstanding," William Hale did not mention the near mishap with Zoe Bell, and offered a simple rationale.
Nobody dared question the truthfulness of his words; with his status, he had no need to lie.
Brandon Stone was rigid all over.
He did remember his father mentioning recent meetings with William Hale and had even told him to behave recently, warning him not to do anything improper and to introduce him to Hale when the opportunity arose.
If he could garner Hale's favor and receive an introduction to the Circle of Capital City or even Hale's support, it would be like a giant leap for the Stone Family.
Who would have thought...
If his father found out about this or if the business cooperation was ruined, his father would likely kill him!
"Mr. Hale, it was a misunderstanding, I was just having a little disagreement with my fiancée," Brandon Stone said, terrified.
At this moment, Kevin Bell also hurriedly clarified, "Since it's a misunderstanding, let's just clear it up. Zoe, you really should've said something when you met Mr. Hale."
Zoe Bell sneered, "I did, no one believed me."
"And I need to correct one thing..."
"Brandon Stone, I am no longer your fiancée!"
Brandon Stone cursed inside.
With William Hale appearing out of nowhere, when so many would stake out at his hotel entrance just for a glimpse and never expect him to personally deliver clothing to someone,
Zoe Bell was on some kind of lucky streak today!
Inside, Brandon Stone was seething with resentment. Zoe Bell really wasn't giving him any face.
Just as the atmosphere turned awkward, Kevin Bell quickly dragged his biological daughter over, "Mina, this is Mr. Hale from Capital City."
Mina Bell's face bore a smile as she spoke in a pinched voice, "Hello, Mr. Hale."
"This is my long-lost daughter Mina Bell, whom I've just reclaimed."
"I've heard, congratulations, President Bell," William Hale said with a neutral expression.
Kevin Bell laughed, "In some time, I plan to throw a welcome back party for my daughter. If Mr. Hale is still in Greenland, we would be honored if you could grace us with your presence."
William Hale did not respond.
His gaze just casually swept over the father and daughter.
After a few seconds, he remarked, "Very much alike."
"Do you think we look alike?" Kevin Bell smiled sycophantically and eagerly, "Everyone says that, that our eyes and eyebrows are the same."
"Mm," William Hale nodded, "Both lacking manners."
"..."
"If you weren't lacking manners, how would you take the initiative to kiss someone else's fiancé?" William Hale's gaze bore down on Mina Bell, "Right, Miss Bell?"
"For a father and daughter who have not reunited for long and never lived together before, to be so alike, could it be..."
"Lack of manners is hereditary?"
Zac Cruz nearly laughed out loud; they had really kicked an iron plate this time.
Mina Bell had never encountered someone as imposing as William Hale and panicked instantly.
Seeking help from her parents with a look of frantic helplessness, she didn't refute, which meant:
What William Hale said was true!
He and Mina Bell were complete strangers and he had no reason to discredit her.
The color drained from the faces of Kevin Bell and his wife in an instant, and although they dared not offend the man before them, they were unsure of the truth of the matter. If they refuted and were contradicted, it would only lead to further embarrassment.
Zoe Bell frowned, he had seen it all?
When did he appear?
Zac Cruz added at this moment, "It's true, I saw it with my own eyes."
Zoe Bell suddenly realized that it must have been his assistant who accidentally heard about the dress and disturbed this god-like figure.
Otherwise, with Mr. Hale's status...
He definitely wouldn't be interested in gossip or making a fuss over things.
He probably disdains listening to others whispering in corners.
"Oh my goodness, Mina Bell kissed Brandon Stone? No wonder Zoe Bell is angry and wants to call off the engagement."
"Brandon Stone is the real sleaze, he's been hanging out with Mina Bell lately, I knew there was something fishy between them, and who knows what they've been up to behind closed doors."
"The Bell Family, in order to protect their biological daughter, actually threw dirt on Zoe Bell, she is pitiable."
...
The surrounding murmurs burst forth, Mina Bell was so anxious she wanted to cry, and Kevin Bell and his wife had ashen faces, dying of embarrassment.
Brandon Stone wished he could find a hole to crawl into!
William Hale, however, didn't care about them at all. He strode over to Zoe Bell, "Miss Bell, I'm really sorry that a piece of clothing has caused you so much trouble."
"You're taking it too seriously," Zoe Bell did not dare to look directly into his eyes, "You had good intentions."
His gaze was too sharp,
Fierce like a wolf or a tiger.
Seemingly calm and nonchalant, he looked like he could devour someone.
William Hale did not stay long. Someone as important as him taking the time to clarify things for her, Zoe Bell was very grateful. Before he left, he said to her,
"Miss Bell, against shameless people, manners are the most useless thing."
This statement both praised Zoe Bell and put down the three members of the Bell Family and Brandon Stone.
——
Because they didn't dare to offend William Hale, even when ridiculed by him, they had to accompany it with a smile.
The meal ended unhappily.
Brandon Stone received a call from his father, telling him to roll back home.
Mina Bell was scared by William Hale, and feeling humiliated by being shamed in public, with people around whispering and criticizing her indecent behavior, tears streamed down as she cried. Kevin Bell and his wife were busy comforting her, naturally they couldn't take care of Zoe Bell, and even when she didn't return home, the Bell Family didn't look for her.
After leaving the hotel, Zoe Bell went straight to the nearby hospital for an IV to relieve the pain.
It was already late, the hospital was quiet with few people around, and she sat alone in the emergency room, her silhouette frail.
It might have really been the rain that made her catch a cold; she felt slightly dizzy, sneezed several times, and then leaned against the back of the chair and fell into a drowsy sleep.
The outside rain provided an enveloping sound, the best lullaby.
Until she felt someone pressing on the back of her hand, and as the IV needle was removed, she felt a bit of pain and opened her eyes groggily to just make out the superior profile of a man, his sharp jawline and Adam's apple; this was...
"Gentle," the man's voice was extremely soft.
Such a soft voice couldn't belong to that powerful figure.
That powerful figure shouldn't be here either.
Zoe Bell, feverish and with a leg pain, drowsy from the sleep-inducing medication in her IV, could barely open her eyes and felt light as a feather, falling into a warm embrace.
Zac Cruz followed behind, holding Zoe Bell's bag, staring as his boss carefully and gently picked her up, treating her with such care and tenderness, that he stood dumbfounded.
"Sir, Miss Bell is technically still engaged; if someone sees..."
Talking idly is bad for everyone.
William Hale glanced at him, his voice cool, "Didn't you hear what she just said? The engagement is off."
Off?
Such a matter couldn't be decided by Zoe Bell alone.
But Zac Cruz didn't dare say any more, for fear of angering William Hale.
In the cold, rainy wind, the hospital was filled with chill, but at this moment, Zoe Bell was wrapped in warmth. Instinctively, she wanted more...
She snuggled into his chest like a little kitten.
William Hale held her tighter, as if he never wanted to let go.