Chapter 227: Chapter 219: Little Girl, So Easy to Fool

Although Bella Woods brought a revengeful amount of extra spice for this hot pot,

it’s freezing outside while the hot pot is boiling inside the room.

It’s intense and satisfying.

The charm of spicy numbing lies in the boiling heat and the sweat-inducing spice, with chopstick after chopstick without pause.

Ashton Marshall wiped Bella Woods’ mouth with a tissue and switched her ice-cold cola for a room-temperature one.

“I want it cold,” Bella protested as the spice overwhelmed her.

“You’ve already drunk half of it.” No room for negotiation.

Bella was not happy at all.

The extra spicy hot pot today was meant to ‘get back’ at Ashton Marshall, but he ate without flinching, while she was the one overwhelmed.

“Be good, eat more meat,” Ashton said, giving Bella some meat.

Although Bella was not pleased, she didn’t refuse the meat that was given to her.

Despite being deprived of her ice-cold cola, she obediently served meat for Ashton and dipped it in her special spicy sauce.

“Uncle, eat more meat. You’ve lost weight lately, and I feel sorry seeing that,” Bella said with a giggle.

Ashton looked at the piece of bright red meat, somewhat helpless: “You.”

Bella watched as Ashton put the piece of meat in his mouth and his face immediately turned red from the spice. He grabbed Bella’s cola and drank from it.

Bella finally saw the man’s embarrassed look and was instantly delighted, her displeasure dissipating.

Happily, she served more meat for Ashton.

But no more pranks.

Ashton wiped his mouth, suppressing a smile, and deliberately said: “I’m not sure I can eat more.”

“You promised to eat with me,” Bella stared at him.

“Alright, alright, I’ll eat,” Ashton, looking completely helpless, started eating the meat.

But he was still smiling.

Little kids, easy to fool and easy to coax.

Although Bella intended to prank Ashton, she didn’t persist stubbornly. After he ate a few pieces of meat, she didn’t force him anymore.

After that, it was Ashton cooking meat for her, and she ate obediently.

Halfway through the hot pot,

Bella, having finished her cola, went to the fridge and took out two bottles of beer for Ashton, opening them.

Ashton pampered her, wiping the bottle’s mouth, and then opened the can, pouring the beer into a glass for Bella.

Bella raised her glass: “Even though I know you can handle spice, and you were just pretending to make me happy, it still made me happy. Mainly because I feel you spoil me, and I really enjoy this feeling.”

It’s a feeling where, even if unreasonable, someone will accompany you, and it’s quite exhilarating.

“Ashton, thank you for taking care of me.” For all the many things you give me.

Love and importance.

Even if it’s short-lived.

It is still a vivid part of Bella’s life.

Ashton smiled and clinked glasses with Bella.

After finishing her drink, Bella said: “But I have another thing to tell you today.”

“Mm, go ahead.”

“This morning, Rose Woods returned to the Woods Family for a meal. As she saw me off, she told me she knows about our relationship,” Bella said, “and used it to threaten me. She wants me to meet Elder Thompson tomorrow night at a hotel room she arranged.”

Ashton frowned, eyes filled with menace: “Is she courting death?”

“I’ll handle this, you don’t have to worry.”

After that, Ashton added: “I know you don’t want the Hughes Family to know about our relationship.”

“I’m not telling you to stop her, but because I’m in a dilemma,” Bella expressed. “This morning, Rose was filled with resentment as she spoke of her experiences with Elder Thompson, and it was unsettling.”

“I’m no saint, and I remember how she hurt me. But deep down, I can’t bear my own sister telling me her pain, which is related to me.”

It was Bella who swapped the problematic dishware with Rose, leading the Woods Family to send Rose to Elder Thompson as a bargaining chip.

“I don’t know how to describe my feelings, I…”

Bella’s arm, which was on the table, was suddenly grasped by Ashton.

His voice steady: “I know your struggle. The kindness in your heart makes it hard for you to be ruthless and ignore Rose’s situation.”

Bella looked at Ashton, feeling somewhat wronged.

But she was indeed distressed.

“I’m glad that when you face difficulties and issues, you tell me.”

Ashton stood up, embracing Bella from behind, kissing her forehead softly.

“I don’t know what to do.”

“Tomorrow evening, go back to the Woods Family for dinner,” Ashton reminded. “Rose will be there, and I’ll handle it for you then.”

Bella pulled down Ashton’s arm, turning to face him, looking up: “How will you handle it?”

“Give Rose a choice,” Ashton said, “whether to stay by Elder Thompson’s side or to leave.”

Ashton bent down, patting Bella’s head: “She’ll have a choice. No matter what the outcome of her choice is, it’s not your concern. You won’t have to suffer a guilty conscience.”

Bella didn’t know what ‘leave’ means for the choice Ashton gave to Rose, feeling it’s not that simple, but she accepted Ashton’s suggestion.

“But won’t you think I’m being a saintly fool?” she couldn’t help asking.

Ashton shook his head: “I think it’s good. You keep your conscience intact, but know to protect yourself first.”

He stood up, pulling Bella into his embrace again.

…

The next day.

Bella had a full morning of classes, so Ashton took her to school and carried her professional toolkit to the activity room for her.

Considering Bella didn’t want him to be ‘seen,’ Ashton removed his suit, wore a simple pure black tracksuit, a baseball cap, and a mask.

Fully armed, his face was unrecognizable.

After putting her tools in place, Ashton didn’t linger.

Despite this, quite a few people arrived in the activity room, and seeing this, everyone looked at Bella with curiosity.

“Bella, was that your boyfriend just now?”

“Did you break off your engagement with Young Master Oliver, and find someone better?”

“Even though that man didn’t show his face, with that height, those long legs, and that aura… so captivating… Bella, is he your boyfriend?”

Almost everyone gathered around Bella, asking this question, insisting she give an answer.

Bella thought for a while and finally gave an excuse: “Just a helping relative.”

Just as she said this, Bella’s eyes scanned to the door, where the man who should have left was standing.

Tall and slender, leaning against the door, holding the paint box Bella had just put down; though masked, his expression was unclear.

But his gaze at Bella carried a hint of chill and a deeper meaning.

Bella felt a shiver within her!