Chapter 2 Warmth and Indifference

Bella glanced at Zoe in confusion. The usually kind and caring middle-aged woman seemed a bit tense and fearful today.

"Ms. Gray, Mr. Windsor is back. He’s in the study on the second floor," Zoe said, pointing upstairs.

Bella's face instantly paled. Zoe comfortingly patted her shoulder.

"He said to find him in the study when you return. Be careful," Zoe added, giving Bella an encouraging look before she left.

Bella took a deep breath, staring at the stairs. She didn't want to go up, but she knew she had no choice.

She slowly walked toward the study, each step filled with dread. What excuse would Sterling use to punish me this time?

Finally, she reached the door of the study. She hesitated for a few seconds, took a deep breath, and gently knocked.

"Come in." Sterling's cold voice came from inside.

Bella opened the door and stepped in, but she didn’t venture far from the entrance. She stood at a distance from the desk, afraid to move closer.

Sterling was engrossed in work documents. When he looked up and saw her, his brow furrowed, irritation evident in his eyes.

Bella took another deep breath and walked toward the desk. Her strides were large, and she quickly reached the desk, seemingly in protest.

Sterling appeared to disregard her defiance. He set down the documents and looked at her.

"If I remember correctly, you’ll be an adult in a few days, right?" he suddenly asked.

At his words, Bella trembled. What does he want? Is he planning to take my virginity? Is this the price I have to pay? she thought, even though she had suspected it, she was still unprepared.

A handsome boy's face flashed through her mind.

Noticing her silence, Sterling frowned again. His gaze fell on her tattered school uniform.

"Are we so poor that we can't even buy decent clothes?" he said, frowning.

"I don’t want your charity!" Bella suddenly lifted her head and retorted, meeting his gaze with hatred and defiance.

Even though she lived in Sterling's house and was cared for by Zoe and others, she still refused to accept his kindness. She wanted to protest, to prove that Lucas was not the person the rumors made him out to be.

A flicker of anger crossed Sterling's eyes at her rebuttal. His cold gaze made Bella's courage waver.

The study was filled with a tense atmosphere. Just as Bella prepared to face her punishment, there was a knock at the door.

"Mr. Windsor, it's time for dinner," came the voice of the butler, Owen Reed, from outside, giving Bella a momentary reprieve.

After dinner, Bella returned to the storage room where she lived.

In this cramped space, she felt her spirit was free. She looked out the small window at the falling snowflakes. It was snowing again this winter.