Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 127

It took Bella a few seconds to realize what Victor thought she was.

Sebastian’s face was equally grim.

Did Victor think he was a pimp?

Just as Victor was about to slam the door, Bella pushed it open, forcing an awkward smile. “Sir, you’ve misunderstood. We’re from the Blake Group. This is our CEO, Sebastian Blake, and I’m Bella Ward, the head of our tech projects.”

Bella was furious.

She had a reputation in the industry, and she was often featured in news reports. It was one thing for Victor not to recognize her, but to mistake her for *that* kind of woman was insulting.

Did *that* kind of woman look as sharp, intelligent, and attractive as she did?

What a joke.

Victor sized up Sebastian with his eyes and nodded slightly. “Oh, you’re quite dedicated, coming out to recruit people yourself. Sorry, I’m not interested in other companies.”

“You don’t even know what I can offer you,” Sebastian said. “Why be so quick to refuse?

“Even if you don’t want to join my company, we could still be friends, couldn’t we?”

Victor really wanted to slam the door, but he had heard a rumor at the office that Li was apparently married to this Mr. Blake, or something along those lines.

That piqued his interest.

“What are the terms? And how do we become friends?”

Sebastian glanced down the hallway. Standing in a hotel corridor, with a woman beside him, talking to a half-naked man, was bound to attract attention.

Besides, Victor wasn’t in a presidential suite but a standard room, which meant there would be a lot of foot traffic on this floor.

He gestured inside. “Can we talk in your room?”

Victor stepped aside. Once they were inside, he didn't offer them water or anything.

Bella had to ask, “Could I have a bottle of water?”

Victor glanced at her. “You can go buy one yourself. There’s barely enough in the room for me.”

Bella was stunned. This...

Did this man genuinely dislike her, or did he simply have no social graces?

Sebastian said, “It’s fine. You can wait in the coffee shop downstairs if you want.”

Of course, Bella wasn't going to miss this opportunity.

She shook her head. “It’s alright.”

Victor went to change and came out a moment later. “Alright, Mr. Blake, let’s hear it. I’m curious to see what you can offer me.”

Sebastian seemed prepared. He immediately took out a check and a contract, then placed a car key on top of the contract, pushing them all toward Victor.

Victor glanced at the numbers on the check, then at the property deed.

“A high salary, a car, a villa... Hmm, you’re very generous, Mr. Blake.”

Hearing this, Sebastian’s expression finally softened.

But then Victor asked, “However, Mr. Blake, do you know what my compensation package is at Ms. Mercer’s company?”

“You want me to introduce you to Mr. Li...?”

So the outside world thought Li was a man?

Victor was only slightly surprised and didn't dwell on it.

She had never been one for the spotlight, so it was normal that the world didn't know her identity, or even her gender.

But having heard some gossip about Sebastian and Lillian, Victor was curious about this man who didn't even recognize his own wife's alter ego.

After a moment's thought, Victor shook his head.

This man was no good.

No wonder their companies were separate ventures. A divorce was probably not far off.

After Sebastian confirmed his request, Victor didn't answer directly but asked a question of his own. “I heard that you and Ms. Mercer are husband and wife. Is that rumor true?”

At this, Bella reacted first: Who started that gossip?

Sebastian didn't avoid the question. “Yes, that’s correct.”

“In that case, I can’t help you,” Victor said. “Ms. Mercer and you are competitors. I can’t exactly side with you, can I?”

With that, Victor stood up, clearly intending to show them the door.

Sebastian had made his request, and now that he was being kicked out, he had no choice but to leave.

As they left the hotel, Bella stated bluntly, “The problem is still Lillian.”