Bella Hawthorne propped up her chin and let out a light laugh. The soft voice belonging to a girl now carried an inexplicable teasing tone. The phone on the table suddenly buzzed, and a message popped up on the lit screen. [Vera, I’m really sorry for what happened that day. I’d like to apologize in person. If it’s convenient for you, let’s meet at Green’s Restaurant tomorrow at 1 p.m., okay?] Bella Hawthorne picked up her glass of water, drank a sip, then glanced at the unfamiliar text message. She didn’t reply immediately and instead pushed the phone aside to start her meal. At Green’s Restaurant. It had been exactly an hour past 1 p.m. before Bella Hawthorne finally arrived fashionably late. Currently, she didn’t have any works or fame to worry about, so she didn’t mind not being in full disguise. "There was a traffic jam," Bella explained indifferently, then called over a waiter to order an Americano. Miyi Yates, despite her growing anxiety, could only smile at her and then pushed a beautifully packaged gift box towards Bella. Wearing an apologetic and regretful expression, she said to Bella, "Vera, I’m really sorry for that day. I must have scared you, didn’t I?" "It really wasn’t my intention," Miyi Yates said somberly. "I grew up without a mother, and being a premature baby, I’ve always been frail and sickly. My dad felt sorry for me but barely spent any time with me, less than even my nanny." Bella remained silent, sipping her coffee quietly. Miyi Yates lifted her head, her eyes already moist, "I’ve always yearned for family companionship since I was little. Later, perhaps heaven heard my plea, I genuinely gained someone to be with me — my second personality." "You might think I’m shirking responsibility, but that’s not it," Miyi Yates said firmly. "The person who spoke harshly to you that day and even pushed you wasn’t me but my other personality, who’s more bad-tempered..." As she delved deeper into her explanation, Bella, sitting across from her, showed a flash of sharp light in her eyes. Before Miyi could finish, Bella leaned back casually with a hint of sarcasm in her eyes, "So what you’re saying is..." At these words, Miyi Yates could barely keep her expression intact. "You..." Miyi Yates took a deep breath, "Vera, whether you believe it or not, I really have no intention to harm you, let alone using that incident to attack you. I hope to earn your forgiveness." With that, Miyi Yates stood up and bowed to Bella, expressing her apology. Bella, being naturally kind-hearted, soft-minded, and not one to hold grudges, could easily be swayed by someone playing the pitiful card and exposing their weaknesses. Miyi Yates knew her character well, so when Cyrus Hawthorne didn’t come to trouble her for a long time, she already guessed. Bella Hawthorne hadn’t tattled on her to Cyrus Hawthorne about the incident! After all, she’s just a young girl, feeling embarrassed, and given what happened, how could she even articulate it? — Yet, Miyi Yates still didn’t receive any response from Bella Hawthorne. Miyi Yates bit her lips, straightened up, showing a reluctantly lonely smile, "I know you might still..." "You want my forgiveness?" Bella touched her chin with her fingertips, staring intently at Miyi Yates. For some reason, Miyi Yates felt a sense of authority and regality emanating from Bella Hawthorne at this moment... a feeling reminiscent of Cyrus Hawthorne. But such an aura seemed entirely impossible on someone as pampered as Bella Hawthorne. In the next second, Miyi Yates heard Bella Hawthorne coldly say with her soft voice. Miyi Yates’ face instantly changed, unable to maintain even the slightest smile, "Vera, you should really think it through; offending me won’t do you any good." "So you’re threatening me now?" Bella gave her a half-smile. "It’s not a threat, just hoping to make peace with you." "Then I guess you’re not thinking clearly," Bella said calmly. "If you were clear-minded, you wouldn’t foolishly think that just because you apologize to me, I would forgive you and fear that you have something against me, causing me to always obey you." Miyi Yates frowned, but just as she was about to speak, Bella interrupted her. "Back then, you probably used the same tricks to threaten her...my mom, using her to get that marriage certificate. And now you want to use the same means to make me work for you." "Miyi Yates, do you really think everyone is a fool?" With every word Bella spoke, Miyi Yates’ expression worsened, for her response was far beyond her expectations. Considering Bella Hawthorne’s personality and her reaction that day, it shouldn’t have been possible for her to have completely let go of that incident... But what Bella said was not to show off; she genuinely didn’t care about Miyi Yates’ threats, picking up her phone as she got up to leave. "You better not regret this." Miyi Yates’ gaze was as cold as an icy snake, fixated on Bella’s departing silhouette. After spending the entire night looking at the passenger list on the tourmaline cruise, Ann Vaughn’s temples were throbbing painfully when she woke up in the morning. After dropping Kenny off at school, Ann Vaughn made a detour to the First Hospital. "Annie’s here," Old Master Hawthorne greeted Ann Vaughn cheerfully, beckoning her over, "That rascal left just half an hour ago, he brought me lots of nice stuff, come join grandpa for a meal." Ann Vaughn’s eyes curved, "Thank you, Grandpa. Grandpa, how are you feeling today? Is your heart still hurting from time to time?" Old Master Hawthorne was about to shake his head when he suddenly clutched his chest and lay back down, looking weak, "It’s still uncomfortable, oh dear." Ann Vaughn suddenly became anxious; he seemed fine just now, how did he suddenly start hurting again? Before she could step forward to check Old Master Hawthorne’s pulse, she heard him weakly say, "Grandpa feels chest pain, no medication helps, the doctor said I need to maintain a joyful mood for a quick recovery..." "But whenever I think about your and Cian’s marriage still up in the air, my heart just starts aching and I’m unable to feel joyful." Ann Vaughn wasn’t worried anymore, and she couldn’t help but chuckle slightly. To hurry along the marriage, Old Master Hawthorne even started acting. "Grandpa, when Bella visited you these past few days, hasn’t she been teaching you her acting skills?" Ann Vaughn calmly sat down and began peeling an apple, "Keep it up, and maybe one day you and Bella could win an award together." Old Master Hawthorne wasn’t fazed even when caught, his expression only grew more melancholic, "Just unsure if I’ll have the time to see that day come."