The Pierson family was only elegant and beautiful from afar. If one focused only on their wealth, their status, the accessories they wore, the bags they carried, and the jewelry on their bodies, it could easily mislead anyone about what the family truly was.
Behind the glamour, the display of wealth, and the graceful smiles and laughter were wicked intentions deeply rooted in their hearts.
"Zoren’s running late," Belle pointed out. "And so is Uncle William."
"It’s Uncle Zoren," Dean corrected lazily. "This is a family gathering. Be careful. Sothing as small as this can be used against you."
Belle chuckled. "Zoren is our cousin."
"But the family registry says otherwise. Even if he doesn’t mind it, everyone would see this as an opening. Or... did you forget about that as well?"
"Right." Belle raised her brows briefly, maintaining her poise despite having stood for quite so ti now.
"Why don’t you sit down?" Dean suggested, casting her a glance. "You’re pregnant. You shouldn’t be standing this long."
"What do you know about pregnancy?"
"Not much, but I know you shouldn’t be wearing those." He briefly glanced at her heels, making her peek down and smile. "You said you wanted your family safe. Those high heels tell a different story."
Belle chuckled as she shifted her attention to him, only to see him look away. "Are you saying I should’ve co to this event in flats?"
"What’s there to worry about?" He shrugged. "You’ve already co here to abandon your last shred of dignity. Wearing sothing that doesn’t suit the dress shouldn’t matter."
"It shouldn’t, but at least I can pretend that I still stand tall. It’s foolish, but I’d like to believe that this way, I won’t look too small tonight."
"What an irrational reasoning."
"Irrational, but believing — even if it’s impossible hope — is better than nothing at all," she remarked aningfully. "Zoren used to say that."
Again, Dean stayed quiet, his interest in talking to her having already faded. He didn’t want to dwell on Belle or her affairs. It was unfortunate, but this situation had happened many tis before — not just to Belle, but also to other mbers of the Pierson family.
Belle had long moved far away from the Pierson family. Usually, when a mber of the family married, regardless of whether it was a man or a woman, the other party would marry into the Pierson family and take the family na.
Belle didn’t do that. She married and moved away like everyone else, taking her husband’s family na. Her only remaining connection was her small share in the company.
This was why Dean didn’t question why she was here or pry into what exactly had happened to her. Her last connection to the Pierson family was the reason.
"You’re making that face again," she pointed out, leaning forward, head turned to Dean. "Are you worried about ?"
"Not a chance."
"That’s heartless, Dean."
"Belle, leave alone." This ti, he faced her with a stern look. "If you think teasing or talking to will gain you sympathy or an ally, you’re wrong. I know that whatever happened to you must be cruel, especially considering you’re carrying a child. But you, of all people, knew this was coming."
The smile on her face slowly faded as Dean’s face hardened.
"Refusing to give up your shares or sell them earned you what you’re going through today," he added. "You should have known that, and you should have prepared better. If you had, you wouldn’t need to pester just to distract yourself from the impending embarrassnt you’re about to put yourself through."
Belle held his gaze quietly, her smile gone. "You know... you can be such a jerk. I know you an well, but you could’ve said things more nicely. It wouldn’t hurt to say things in a less insulting way."
She forced a smile but failed, taking a step back. "Fine," she said. "I’ll leave you alone. Enjoy talking to yourself, Dean."
With that, Belle took a deep breath and turned around, walking away. Dean, on the other hand, kept his gaze on her back and sighed.
"I could’ve said it more nicely — that’s true," he whispered, peeling his gaze from her figure to the sa scene before him. ’But then again, what I said and how I said it... is just a taste of what you’re about to go through once you surrender the only card that gives you value to these people.’
---
Belle held back her tears, searching for a place to breathe and possibly sit. Since the venue was a historic mansion, she soon found herself outside. However, even the open hallway was occupied by so people.
Exchanging polite smiles with the people she passed, she kept walking. It was still too early, and knowing Zoren, he would be late. This was the one eting Zoren was always late for, as if he would purposely make everyone feel a pang of hunger before he arrived.
Soon, Belle found the garden and saw an empty bench in a dimly lit area. She quickly picked up her pace, but walked carefully until she reached it and sat down.
"Hah..." she breathed out, squeezing her legs as she felt a slight ache in her back. "He’s right. I should’ve worn flats tonight."
A bitter smile crept onto her face as tears started to coat her eyes. Staring at her white stilettos, she reached out and took them off. Without a second thought, she threw them away with as much force as she could.
"How upsetting," she murmured, holding her tears back as she balled her hands into tight fists. But just as her tears fell, she flinched at the voice of a woman beside her.
"You shouldn’t throw things like that, you know?"
Belle nearly jumped, grasping the bench’s armrest as she turned her head to the side. The other person was just sitting on the other end of the bench. Her eyes widened slightly and her brows furrowed as she saw a woman with a neat low ponytail and a black ribbon around her neck.
"Since... since when have you been there?" Belle stuttered, taken aback.
"Before you," the woman, Penny, blinked innocently, cupping her face as if sulking. "This place is a little dark, so you probably didn’t notice ."
"Oh." Belle nodded, realizing that was the reason she’d chosen this spot. "I can’t believe I didn’t notice you."
"Mhm."
Belle studied Penny’s side profile, the lines between her brows deepening. "I haven’t seen you before. Are you a new family mber?"
"Mhm."
"I see." Belle nodded, unsure of who Penny’s husband was since she hadn’t kept up with her relatives’ marriages. "What are you doing here?"
"Sulking."
"Sulking?"
Penny shot her a frown that sohow made her appear even more adorable. "Why was I dropped off in the kitchen? I was told there was a party here, but I ended up helping in the kitchen. I only cook for my husband — now I sll like onions."
Belle listened to Penny’s complaint before letting out a chuckle. ’She’s probably recently married into the family,’ she thought. ’Well, she looks like a young, pampered heiress. This treatnt surely upset her.’
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