Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)
Chapter 357 Woof

Dominic chuckled at Bella's challenge. "Whoever makes a move is a dog?"

She kept a serious expression. "Exactly!"

With a mischievous glint in his eye, he leaned in close. He slightly opened his lips and whispered in a soft, magnetic voice, "Woof..."

Bella's heart skipped a beat. How was he always so effortlessly charming?

Before she could gather herself, he flipped her onto her back. She turned her head away, flustered. "Hey! You're breaking the rule... Don't!"

His lips brushed her cheek as he teased, "I already barked... At least let me make it worth it."

After a while, he finally rolled off her. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Fine. Sleep!"

With her cheeks flushed, Bella adjusted her rumpled shirt. She then closed her eyes and forced herself to fall asleep. He hadn't taken things too far, but he certainly hadn't made it easy on her.

...

The next morning, she was woken by Dominic's phone ringing. He quickly grabbed it and stepped outside to answer, but Bella was already half awake.

In her half-dreaming state, she thought she heard him say he had to leave.

He came back into the room to check on her. He found that she was still asleep, so he didn't wake her up and quietly closed the door behind him.

Bella glanced at the time, realizing she still had a little while before work. Thoughts of the previous night lingered, and she found herself blushing over a dream that had gone much further than reality. The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she felt. It was all his fault she had dreamed about that kind of thing...

...

The serene atmosphere at Royal Cuisine was perfect for morning tea.

Dominic sat across from Victor with a table full of exquisite and fragrant dishes between them.

Accustomed to traveling with bodyguards, Victor didn't look out of place in the exclusive setting.

Dominic took a sip of the strong tea in front of him. He frowned slightly because he wasn't used to its intensity. "You're up early, Mr. Morse. Did you come here just to have breakfast?"

Victor smiled faintly. "Actually, I was hoping to enjoy it with you. I hope I didn't interrupt anything. You look a bit tired... Didn't sleep well?"

Dominic avoided the personal question, keeping things polite. "Not at all. You haven't been around here lately, though. I imagine business has been keeping you busy?"

Victor dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin.

"You're too modest, Mr. Miller. We're the same kind of people. I reached out to you as soon as I arrived because don't just see this as a business relationship. I'd like us to be friends. Even though I'm a bit older, I think I can keep up with the younger folks."

Dominic offered a slight smile as he looked downward. "We've always been friends."

After a pause, Victor changed the subject, bringing up an old topic Dominic had asked about before. "You once asked if I knew your parents did, but that was a long time ago. I've traveled a lot sincé then, and looking back now, it's strange how much things have changed. Time flies... It's a bit nostalgic."

This time, his response was different from before. His response was filled with the quiet regret of someone who had lost a dear friend.

Dominic narrowed his eyes. "The fact that you took a photo with them together shows you guys must've been close."

Victor sighed. "We were, indeed. It's

rare to meet people you truly connect with. I don't bring it up because reminiscing often brings only sadness. I have to say, the next generation is certainly impressive. You've outshone your father, no? You took down the Klein family... I have high expectations for you."