Chapter 342: Chapter 342

Steven was deeply aware of Ralph’s harbored prejudices against him. Ralph thought that every man

who showed excessive attention to his sister had bad intentions.

“Ralph, you’re too cautious. Steve is not a stranger,” Bella said helplessly with a smile.

“He may not be a stranger, but he’s still a man,” Ralph retorted. His eyebrows furrowed slightly. He cast

a cold glance at Steven and added, “You should find a female secretary tomorrow. I don’t like the idea

of you having a male secretary.”

Bella waved her hand dismissively and squinted her eyes. “Come on, you’re such a suspicious cop.

You see everyone as a potential criminal.”

“It won’t hurt to stay vigilant and alert,” Ralph replied.

Ralph assisted Bella into the car and closed the door. As Steven bowed to him before leaving, Ralph

stopped him.

“Wait.”

“Is there anything else, Mr. Ralph?” Steven asked with a calm expression.

“As Bella’s secretary, you’re with her 24/7. While supporting her, remember to maintain your

boundaries,” Ralph instructed.

Ralph’s gaze carried a chilling fierceness. “What doesn’t belong to you won’t ever be yours. Don’t

harbor any inappropriate intentions or cross the line. Unlike my older brothers, I won’t tolerate your

presence around Bella. I was born with a suspicious mind, and I’ve witnessed too much evil in this

world. So, I never assume the best in people.”

Steven took a deep breath and clenched his fists.

“In short, don’t entertain any improper thoughts you have about Bella. Don’t you dare take a single step

beyond the boundaries, or else I won’t go easy on you.”

“Mr. Ralph, I understand the rules. While the rules can control actions, they can’t control one’s

feelings.” Steven asserted, forcefully suppressing his inner grievances.

Steven’s eyes got a little teary as he bluntly revealed the emotions that had been suppressed for too

long. “I won’t do anything to Ms. Bella because I genuinely admire and respect her. But

you can’t ask me to stop loving her. Loving someone is not a crime.”

Ralph’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. Although he did not like Steven, he found his words surprisingly

straightforward.

“You’d better remember what you said today.”

“Hey, what are you guys talking about? Are we leaving or not? I’m exhausted!” Bella lowered the car

window, squinting her eyes.

“I’m coming, Ms. Bella.” Steven turned back and smiled warmly at her.

“Bella, give me a call when you get home.” Ralph seemed a bit concerned and made a gesture

mimicking a phone call.

Bella made an “OK” gesture, waved to him, and left with Steven.

Ralph smiled as he watched his sister leave but did not immediately follow. His eyes lost their

playfulness and scanned the opposite side of the road. He turned and walked away.

Across the road, Ian’s black Porsche was discreetly parked. He had just sent a location to Justin, and

within seconds of Bella leaving, both she and the “gigolo” had disappeared.

“Strange… Where did they go?” Ian muttered to himself.

Ian was puzzled. He muttered to himself when suddenly the car door was violently yanked open. In an

instant, he felt his breath hitch as a rough and powerful hand firmly seized his collar. He was

effortlessly pulled out of the car as if he weighed like a feather.

“Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?!”

Ian, shocked to see Ralph appear out of nowhere like a ghost, panicked and shouted, “Don’t mess

around! We have laws in this country! I’ll report you to the police!”

“No need for all that trouble.”

As the words fell, Ralph’s expression turned cold. He pulled out an ID from his pocket and flashed it in

front of Ian. “The police are here to catch people like you who have slipped through the cracks of this

law-driven society.”

Ian involuntarily gasped, his head buzzing.

Bella sat in the car, yawning several times and feeling drowsy.

At that moment, her phone rang.

“Ralph, what’s up? I haven’t reached home yet. You’re…”

“Bella, do

you know who Ian Harris is?” Ralph’s hoarse voice came through.

Bella’s drunkenness disappeared immediately, and she sat up straight.

“What’s going on, Ralph? Why did you suddenly mention this person?”

“Bella, where did you meet this creep? His phone is full of photos he secretly took of you! I caught him

red-handed!”