Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)
Chapter 351 Is That Fair

Dominic smiled a bit, feeling a mix of disappointment and resignation. "Okay, see you later..." As she watched him leave, Bella stood at the door, taking a while to calm her racing thoughts.

His scent lingered on her lips, stirring something deep inside her. They were so familiar with each other's bodies, yet managing to restrain themselves while spending long periods together seemed nearly impossible. She already felt drained.

At Sawyer Manor, Leonard and Pierre sat in the living room, glancing at each other. Daniel and Xavier were having a private discussion upstairs, and it was filled with tension.

...

Leonard frowned, and Pierre casually asked, "Worried about Xavier?"

Leonard didn't answer directly. "Is this about what happened at the hunting grounds? How did Dad replace out?"

Pierre seemed unfazed. "Dad has eyes everywhere. If it's about you, he knows everything. What do you think about Xavier's actions?"

Leonard clenched his teeth. "Pierre, you make me feel like you're an outsider. You're too calm and detached."

After saying that, Leonard left Pierre and headed upstairs to check on the situation.

As he reached Daniel's door, a bodyguard blocked his way. The guard flatly said, "Your father said no one is allowed in right now."

There was nothing Leonard could do, so he waited outside the door.

Suddenly, Daniel's furious voice erupted from inside. "If Leonard dies, I'll donate his share of the inheritance to the Red Cross Society! None of you will get a dime! I'm telling you now that all your schemes are useless!" Xavier erupted in rare defiance. "I just have one question. Why can Leonard do things that I and Pierre can't? Is that fair?"

Was that fair?

Those words escaped Xavier in a hysterical shout.

Daniel scoffed. "Are you talking about women? You can't change anything, and I don't owe you any answers, Weren't you unwilling to give up your status and assets as a е Sawyer family member for the

woman you loved? You made your choice from the beginning. You

chose that, so who can you blame?"

Before long, Xavier stormed out and saw Leonard. He didn't say a word and brushed past him like he was a stranger.

Leonard decided not to confront Daniel at that moment. Both of them were too angry, and going in wouldn't calm anyone down or change anything.

It was easy to understand Xavier's

Qu

mindset. Leonard enjoyed the privileges of being a Sawyer family member and Daniel treated him with far more leniency. Such obvious favoritism was bound to create resentment between brothers.

Diane was still unaware of all this. Otherwise, things would have been much more complicated.

...

The following day, Bella arrived at the hospital and went straight to the department head's office.

She knew a storm was about to hit. After she had requested leave in such a rushed manner last time, he was probably still simmering with frustration.

He was humming a tune while

drinking water and admiring the

cactus on the windowsill. When he

saw her, his expression quickly

zenet

, and he looked serious.

soured, a

you know how to come, Where

have you been, and how dare you

take leave without notice? You really have no sense of rules."

Bella knew it was her fault and replied politely, "I'm sorry. Something urgent came up, and I didn't have time to inform you in advance."

She couldn't exactly say she had gone out for fun. That would likely infuriate him even more.

She expected to get scolded, but to her surprise, his expression softened considerably. "Actually, you can talk to me about anything. If Ethan hadn't mentioned your situation, I would've thought you were ignoring your dad. "Anyone with a father like yours would feel like they're unlucky. I understand. Just come back to work as usual."