Have you lost your mind?

Li Hua’s father, already seated in the cabin, rose as she stormed in. His voice was calm yet cautious as he said, “Hua, what’s wrong? Why are you so upset?”

Li Hua didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she lashed out, delivering a sharp kick to the work desk, sending it crashing against the wall. Her tone was cold, her words deliberate. “Dad, I want Bella Richard dead. Can you make it happen—without the Chairman finding out?”

Her father’s face turned pale, his eyes widening in shock. For a moment, the room was consumed by a heavy silence.

“Hua,” he began, his voice trembling slightly, “do you even realize what you’re saying? Do you have any idea who Bella Richard is? She may no longer hold an official position at Rockwave, but she’s still untouchable. She is the Chairman’s confidante, and her influence in the High Chair remains undeniable.

“You might have earned the title of Vice President, but you haven’t yet come close to the respect or loyalty she commands. For ten years, she was the backbone of Rockwave. Cast aside this reckless thought before it destroys us all. That’s the only way to protect yourself—and our family.”

Li Hua closed her eyes, her beautiful face betraying a storm of emotions: rage, helplessness, fear, and desperation.

When she spoke again, her voice was low but resolute. “Dad, Bella Richard knows my true identity. I don’t know how she discovered it, but she has. If anyone else learns the truth, it’s over for me. I’ll lose everything—my title, my place in Rockwave. And if they enforce the rules… they’ll kill us both.”

Her father’s expression hardened as the weight of her words settled over him. The lines on his face deepened, etched by anxiety and dread.

Rockwave was an empire built on five unyielding pillars:

Wealth, which silenced the strongest dissent.

Power, boundless and absolute.

Fear, a weapon to crush the spirit.

Secrets, guarded fiercely, desired by all.

The Rules, immutable and ruthless, the foundation of Rockwave’s dominion.

To break the rules was to invite death.

Bella Richard knowing the truth about Li Hua was a grave breach of those rules.

If the High Chair discovered this secret, they would not only strip Li Hua of her position but ensure her family paid the ultimate price.

Ever since Bella had called her by her real name, fear had taken root in Li Hua’s heart, growing with every passing moment.

Rehabilitation Center,

In the visiting room, Bella and Sameer sat across from each other.

Sameer, around twenty-eight years old, shared strikingly similar black-and-white eyes with Bella. His sharp, attractive facial features always reminded Bella of their father, which explained her soft corner for him. Among all, Bella had a special affection for Sameer.

Thanks to a disciplined diet and a well-toned physique, Sameer looked five or six years younger than his actual age.

For the past half hour, the siblings had sat in silence, neither of them breaking the stillness between them.

Bella, finally deciding to ease the tension, spoke gently, “Next time I visit you, we’ll leave together and go home.”

Sameer gave a faint nod, his gaze flickering briefly with hope. Then, after a moment’s pause, he asked in a low voice, “How are Mom and Grandfather?”

Bella smiled softly. “They’re fine, but they miss you a lot. Get better soon, and we’ll surprise them together. They’ll be so happy to see you again.”

Sameer responded with a weak smile. Bella continued talking to him, her voice filled with warmth.

Meanwhile, Kartik sat in the observation room, separated by the glass, his eyes fixed on Bella. A cigar rested between his fingers, its smoke curling lazily as his hand lounged on the armrest of his chair.

He looked both effortlessly careless and irresistibly commanding.

After an hour, Kartik glanced at his wristwatch, then stood up, loosening his tie. Striding with his usual air of authority, he opened the door to the visiting room.

His face was partially covered by a mask, concealing his identity. Sameer’s sharp gaze lingered on him, trying to discern who he was.

Kartik approached Bella, gently holding her wrist. His voice was calm but firm. “Time’s up. Let’s go.”

Bella nodded silently and stood.

Sameer’s piercing eyes remained fixated on Kartik’s hand—the one holding Bella’s wrist.

Bella turned to Sameer with an affectionate smile. “I’ll see you next week.”

Sameer hesitated briefly before speaking, his voice unsure yet urgent. “Shreya Di(Sister), I need to talk to you… alone.”

The emphasis on the word “alone” was unmistakable.

Bella glanced at Kartik. “Please, wait for me outside. I’ll just take two minutes.”

Kartik cast a cold, assessing gaze at Sameer before silently stepping out.

Turning to her brother, Bella asked gently, “Yes, Sameer? What is it you wanted to say?”

Sameer hesitated, his voice faltering. “Um… Shreya Di, I think you should maintain some distance from that man. People might misunderstand… I mean, they might misjudge your relationship with him.”

His hesitant words deepened Bella’s concern. “Sameer, did someone say something to you?”

Instead of answering, Sameer averted his gaze.

Bella’s voice grew firm. “Sameer, I asked you something.”

Still avoiding her eyes, Sameer finally whispered, “Here… people talk about you and the Chairman. They gossip about your relationship. I don’t like it. I hate the idea of anyone questioning your character.”

For a moment, Bella was rendered speechless. But she knew she had to respond. Taking a deep breath, she said gently, “Sameer, don’t pay attention to others’ words. There’s nothing improper between me and the Chairman.”

Sameer said nothing further. He rose from his chair and embraced Bella tightly.

Bella patted his back with a soft smile. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

“Hmm.”

When Bella stepped out, her gaze immediately found Kartik, leaning casually against the wall.

Ignoring him, Bella walked ahead. She couldn’t visit Neha, as her condition had worsened—she attacked anyone who came near, clawing and biting at them in fits of rage.

Bella had barely taken a few steps forward when Kartik, without warning, swept her off her feet.

Startled, Bella clung to his shoulders instinctively, trying to steady herself.

The guards nearby froze, shocked by their Chairman’s unexpected action. But none dared to stare for long. They quickly averted their eyes, bowing in submission.

Bella glared at Kartik. “Chairman Sir! Have you lost your mind? Why did you pick me up like this? What will people think if they see us like this? Put me down right now!”

Kartik remained unfazed, ignoring her protests entirely as he walked purposefully toward the elevator they had arrived in.

Bella was torn between embarrassment and frustration. She didn’t care about public opinion, but Sameer’s perceptions troubled her deeply. She couldn’t bear the thought of her brother misunderstanding her.

As Bella continued pleading with Kartik to let her down, they reached the elevator. Just then, the adjacent elevator opened, and Li Hua stepped out, accompanied by some High Chair members.

The moment Bella saw them, she instinctively buried her face in Kartik’s chest. But hiding was futile; Bella’s striking persona was unmistakable.

Li Hua and the other members were momentarily stunned, seeing their Chairman carrying Bella Richard in his arms. But they quickly composed themselves, bowing respectfully.

“Good evening, Chairman.”

Kartik acknowledged them with a mere glance before stepping into the elevator with Bella.

As soon as the doors closed, whispers erupted among the High Chair members.

“Is there something going on between the Chairman and Madam Richard?”

“Didn’t it seem obvious? Of course, there’s something!”

“But how is that possible? Madam Richard is married. Could it be an extramarital affair?”

“Perhaps. It’s highly plausible. Madam Richard is breathtakingly beautiful, after all. Maybe even the Chairman couldn’t resist her.”

“But still… she’s married.”

“So what? Affairs aren’t uncommon these days. And honestly, if someone like our Chairman shows interest, why would any woman stay with an ordinary husband?”

“True. But do you think Madam Richard knows the Chairman’s true face? I mean, if she’s this close to him…”

“Of course, she must have seen it. I’m sure the Chairman removes his mask in bed.” One member chuckled suggestively.

Li Hua clenched her fists, her composure slipping. She stormed off, unable to endure the overheard gossip. Their words seared her like molten lava.

Opera Palace

Kartik carried Bella straight to his bedroom, setting her down on the bed.

Bella glared at him fiercely. “Do you even realize what you’ve done, Kartik? Do you know what people might be thinking about us now?!”

Kartik began untying his tie, his expression unreadable. “They’re thinking exactly what’s true, wifey.”

Bella’s temper flared. “I know that! But they shouldn’t be thinking about it at all! What if they figure out your real identity? How could you be so reckless, Kartik? You didn’t even think to ask me before doing something like this!”

Kartik froze mid-action, his fingers stilling on his shirt buttons.

His intense blue eyes locked onto Bella’s.

Kartik leaned closer, his gaze darkening with an intensity that made Bella’s heart race.

Unintentionally, she leaned back, her breath hitching.

In a low, icy tone, Kartik murmured, “Did you ask me, wifey? Did you ask if I wanted to leave that observation room before you made the decision for both of us?”

Bella’s sharp black-and-white eyes narrowed as his words sank in.

What will happen next?

To know…

To Be Continued…

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