The Clutches Of Hell Novel

Chapter 144

The Japanese food on the table looked scrumptious, but neither Christian nor Bella had the appetite to enjoy such a delicacy.

The corner of Christian’s lips curved up, but there was not a hint of joy in his eyes. “I’m afraid I can only apologize. Daisy is one of the employees in my Delta Club. I’m not going to hand over an employee to become the partner of an old man almost on his deathbed.”

“Are you threatening me, Chris?” Bella squeezed out a forced smile as her body tensed up.

Christian calmly replied, “I’m just reiterating the facts.” The conversation seemed so familiar, but their roles had changed.

She froze for a moment, then smiled, clenching her fist tightly, and said softly, “I came here today looking for Daisy because my grandpa has asked me to. So it’s not a big deal if this doesn’t work out. But I may decide to sue Victoria due to disappointment if you aren’t agreeable.”

He looked at her darkly and sat down.

“You’re a smart person, Chris. You should know what to do.” Bella had regained her composure as she drawled out the words.

“Is that so?” Christian narrowed his eyes.

She laughed. “At least, I think you’re smart.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you then.” He glanced at her coldly. “You have two choices now. First, you take Daisy with you, and I’ll treat Victoria’s legs. The second is that you sue Victoria, but I’ll be exposing Old Mr. Ford’s affairs online.”

A shocked Bella froze in horror but still maintained the slight smile on her face. “What if I take Daisy with me and still don’t agree to treat Victoria’s legs?

“That’s not possible,” Christian refuted.

She could no longer keep her smile at his words. “Chris, do you really think my grandpa cares about his name?”

“Does he not?” He smiled and stood up. “Good for him, then.” With that, he turned around and left.

Bella’s mind whirled when she saw his resolute back and bit her lips as she called out in a panic, “Chris!”

However, he did not even pause, nor did he respond to her.

“Miss, what should we do now?” When the maid saw that Christian was almost out the door, she got anxious. “If this matter regarding your grandpa and Miss Torres is exposed, it won’t look good on the Ford Family, and our name will be dragged through the mud!”

Menace flashed in her eyes as she assured the maid, “Don’t worry.”

She waited until Christian was at the door, ready to push it open, before speaking, “Whatever it may be, Victoria was a friend of mine. I’ll be glad to see her legs healed.”

“You’re a smart person.” Christian stopped in his tracks but did not turn his head and returned the praise to her.

Bella’s hand tightened on the armrest as she smiled. “Since that’s settled, why don’t you sit and join us? It’s a waste to order and not eat the food.”

“I have different preferences. You guys can go ahead as I’ll be leaving now.” Chrisitan pushed the door and left without looking at her.

Bella’s red lips parted slightly and trembled when she saw the empty doorway. Then, her head drooped as pain and bitterness filled her eyes.

After Christian left the Japanese restaurant, he took a taxi to Jill’s noodle house. Jill was cleaning a table with her back facing him as he walked into the shop. “Hi, what would you like? Hang on a minute, and I’ll be right over.”

She turned around only to see Christian standing there, and the smile on her round face froze. Then, she swiftly set aside the broom and dustpan and told him, “Oh my, the food this humble shop serves can’t possibly be appetizing for Mr. Thatcher. If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather not waste food.”

“It’s been a while, Jill,” he greeted her.

“Well, of course.” She smiled, but her tone was snarky. “You’re the president of the great Thatcher Group. I’m just the owner of a little noodle place. We—” She pointed at the sky, then at the ground. “We are like heaven and earth. It’s natural that we don’t meet often. Just like today, it’s unusual that you’re here. It’s making my heart pound in fright!”

“Is the seafood noodle available? I’d like to have one, please.” Christian looked down and pulled the chair out before sitting down.

“Oh well, I wouldn’t dare to make it for you.” She was still laughing. “What if you find a hair or a fly in it and close down my shop? It’s safer for me to decline this sale of yours. Don’t you think so?”

Christian knocked lightly on the table twice. “I think that even if there weren’t any hair or flies, you’d pluck some hair or catch some flies and add them in.”

“Haha, that’s a funny joke, Mr. Thatcher. I wouldn’t dare.” Jill picked up the broom and continued sweeping the already clean floor. “If you knew about that and hurt me, who could I ask for help then?”

He raised his eyebrows a little and asked, “If I didn’t find out about it, would you continue to do so?”

She stopped sweeping and chuckled while looking at him with the broom in her hand.

“Dr. Walker’s your nephew, right?” Christian dropped the act and asked her directly since Jill was not being very welcoming. They would be talking in circles forever and never get to the point.

“Yes, he is,” Jill answered. “But he’s bad-tempered and doesn’t have a close relationship with me. So if he doesn’t want to treat Bella’s legs, it’s no use for you to look for me.”

Christian then asked, “What if he refuses to treat Victoria’s legs then? Can I come to you?”

Jill paused for a moment and then let out a laugh. “You don’t need to worry about this. He returned from Pancada a few days ago, and I’ve talked to him about treating Tori’s legs. He will do it for free until she’s healed.” She let out a chuckle. “Tori’s got quite a temper and draws a clear line between love and hate. She doesn’t like to accept people’s help easily as well. If you care, I’d like you to leave her alone.”novelxo.com fast update

“That’s great. Thanks, Jill.” His eyes darkened as his slender fingers tapped on the table lightly. Finally, he stood up to unbutton the top button of his shirt, but the weight on his heart did not lessen.

Jill replied, “You’ve mistaken. I’m doing this for Tori, not you. So you don’t need to thank me.”

“I’ve got something to do. I’ll take my leave now. I’ll visit you when I have the time.” His brows furrowed slightly as he got ready to leave.

“Wait a minute!” Jill held up the broom against his knee to stop him as the smile on her face disappeared. “I don’t care about the truth about you breaking Tori’s leg two years ago, but thank you because she would have a life sentence if that were not the case. This doesn’t mean that I like you, though. I can’t accept the things that you’ve done to her. If you want to repent, I’m begging you to let her go and leave her alone. As her auntie, I’ll thank you on her behalf.”

Christian glanced at the broom before moving his gaze up to Jill and mocked, “How did you know that it wasn’t her who did me wrong?”

“Huh?” Jill was taken aback. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

He stepped over the broom and strode out of the noodle house before biting back harshly, “You’re in no place to interfere with mine and Victoria’s matters.”