Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)
Chapter 420 You Can't

Gloriana eagerly helped him remove his shoes at the nearby hotel and offered him a glass of water. She purposely arched her back when she knelt, presenting an enticing curve in front of him, her movements exaggerated and deliberate. She stood up, boldly straddled his lap, and slowly ran her hands up from his chest to wrap around his neck. "Mr. Miller..."

Dominic's gaze remained calm and unfazed, his eyes like a tranquil pool without the slightest ripple. He allowed her to move around on him momentarily before he finally spoke, his tone low and detached. "Haven't you realized that you can't turn me on?" Gloriana froze, her body stiffening with embarrassment and humiliation. She had thought that she was doing everything right, putting on her most seductive act, yet all she received was rejection.

Sitting so close to him, she couldn't help but notice that he genuinely showed no physical reaction. A drunk man's body was typically the most honest. She had been the center of attention among many young, talented men before, always able to draw their interest. She couldn't help but wonder why she didn't have the same effect on him.

Her frustration simmered, and they remained locked in the tense silence until Dominic spoke again, his voice cold. "Do you want me to throw you off?"

Crushed, Gloriana reluctantly pulled away, her lips quivering as she bit them. "What's wrong with me? Tell me. I can change..."

Dominic didn't respond. He merely said, "Since I brought you out here, I'll pay you what you deserve. You can leave now."

Without saying another word, he walked straight into the bathroom, not sparing her another glance.

Gloriana stood there, stamping her foot in frustration. She didn't want to humiliate herself further, so she left the hotel. Instead of the "charity" he offered, she genuinely wanted to win him over.

The next day, Bella woke up and instinctively checked her phone. The first thing she saw was a trending news headline. Its bold words almost stabbed her eyes, stating, "Dominic, president of Miller Corporation and the Klein family's second daughter, suspected of a

hotel rendezvous".

A wave of dizziness hit her, and her chest felt tight. She opened the window for some air before continuing to scroll through the article.

The story included several photos. From the angles and details, it was clear that the paparazzi took them. They were people who made money off scandalous shots without morals or shame. What frightened her was the possibility that these weren't fabricated but real.

Looking at the photos of Dominic and Gloriana, Bella didn't feel sadness or anger at him being with another woman. Instead, she felt a strange calm, like something inside her had drained her emotions.

QUMS

Dominic being caught in a tabloid scandal with Gloriana wasn't new. The last time it happened, he claimed it was just for show. But what about this time?

She suddenly found it laughable. He didn't even need to lie. With his words, she didn't need to care. The truth was the truth. She had never had the right to manage his life.

Lia's arrival snapped Bella out of her thoughts. She put her phone away and went to wash up. It seemed that Lia hadn't seen the news yet, as she wasn't angrily ranting about it.

Lia followed Bella into the bathroom,

looking weary as she spoke. "I had an episode last night. Leonard stayed with me all night and left

before dawn... Do you think we'renet

being a little too... close? I didn't mind before because he never made abig deal out of it, but now I can't help feeling something's off..."

Still distracted by her thoughts, Bella didn't immediately process what Lia had said. "What? You and Leonard... Did you two?"