At last, Cindy learned about that. She ran to the studio, threatening and cursing the boy madly. Scared by the two girls, the boy flinched and dared to say no words.

Since then, Cindy and Bella had become good friends. Later, Cindy introduced her classmate Sophia to Bella, and the three formed an inseparable trio.

Cindy, Carl, and Henry had been classmates at junior high school. While Cindy was admitted to No. 7 High School, an elite one, Carl and Henry continued to study at No. 13 High School because of their poor academic performances.

Every weekend, Cindy took Bella to No. 13 High School to play with them.

Troy was Henry's cousin. Although they had been in the same junior high school, Troy was two grades higher than Henry. As for the story between Bella and Troy, it began with vigor but ended hastily. But Cindy thought it was an accident that hurt Bella. Whether it was a story or an accident, Bella didn't want to recall it, and no one dared to mention it in front of her.

"When will he arrive?" Henry asked Carl who was sitting next to him.

"He said he was on the way and would be right here."

"Who else is coming?" Cindy asked Henry.

"An important figure," Henry said mysteriously.

"Humph, whatever!" Cindy rolled her eyes and watched Sophia play Happy Clearance.

"Who is this man?" Cindy looked at the empty seat and couldn't help asking again. Being an impatient woman, she wondered who could keep them all waiting here.

"You'll know when he comes," Carl said.

Getting no satisfactory answer, Cindy rolled her eyes for umpteen times.

Just then, Carl's phone rang.

He took up his phone and left.

There was weirdly deafening silence in the room.

Eddy snuggled up on Troy's shoulder softly. She was endowed with soft charm, gentleness, and attraction; even a woman would have tender affection for her, not to mention Troy.

Cindy's stare was as sharp as a knife; she was going to "kill" people!

Head lowered, Bella was playing with her phone, not caring about what was going on around her.

Footsteps were heard from outside, and then the door was pushed open. Carl came in, followed by a tall figure.

Bella felt that someone was getting closer and closer to her. Then, he sat down next to her.

"Handsome guy, it's you!" Cindy was surprised and delighted to see the man. The world was so small that they met again!

Feeling that Cindy was pulling at her sleeve, Bella finally looked up in confusion.

Cindy's winks made her even more puzzled.

Only after a while did she notice a man sitting beside her.

Why did he look so familiar? Oh my god! It was him–the white-shirted man who she had met in the bar.

Seeing Bella's expression change from confusion to surprise, Thomas smiled and said, "Hi, nice to meet you again!"

"H-hi!" Flustered, Bella looked away hurriedly.

Thomas curved his lips slightly and maintained his usual gentleness.

He was wearing a black shirt with a dark floral pattern that could only be seen from a close distance.

His skin was fair, his hair shiny black, and his facial features as delicate as those for a Greek god.

Bella had thought that Troy was handsome enough, but only now did she know that a man's beauty could be so much enviable.

"Do you know each other?" Carl noticed the meaningful look on Cindy's face.

"Sure. He's Bella's boyfriend." Cindy smiled and winked at Bella, while sneaking a look at Troy.

"Don't say so," Bella whispered. Her face was as red as boiled shrimp, and her head was lowered deeply.

"Thomas, you're so capable! You're just back, but you've won our great painter's heart. I thought you didn't like women; now I know you've been leaving the chance to our Bella!" Henry said with a smile.

Bella: "Ah–"

Smiling at Bella's hesitant expression, Thomas didn't admit or deny anything, "It's called fate, isn't it?"

Bella was stunned.

"This is my friend, Mr. Hodder." Carl introduced.

Mr. Hodder...

Bella drew back her attention.

Gracefully, Thomas glanced around all the people and then landed his gaze on Bella's face.

Bella's eyelids drooped slightly. Feeling his gaze, she felt warm and cozy.

"Please serve the dishes," Carl said to a waiter.

"Mr. Hodder, it's so hard to see you. Let's have a hearty drink tonight."

Henry opened a bottle of wine and filled everyone's glass. When he came to Eddy, she said shyly, "I can't drink alcohol."

After saying that, she looked at Troy pitifully.

But Troy had been pulling a straight face.

"It's okay, but someone present must drink for her."

Cindy glanced at Troy and tried to break his silence.

Bella dragged Cindy's sleeve, but Cindy still stared tightly at the two opposite her. Beside them, Henry was holding the bottle, ready to pour wine.

"Troy, I..." Eddy whispered with watery eyes.

At this moment, all the people were looking at Troy. When Bella glanced at him, she met his eyes that were filled with mixed emotions. She looked away immediately and regained her indifference.

"Okay, I'll drink for her," Troy said gently as he shifted his gaze from Bella to Eddy.

"Great, Troy. Let's get ourselves drunk tonight!" Everyone knew Cindy could drink like a fish; not a man was her rival in this aspect. So as she said that, they all felt sympathetic for Troy.

"Troy, I'm sorry. Cindy, it's all my fault. Please don't make it hard for Troy." Eddy had a caring look at Troy and then begged Cindy in a gingerly way.

"I'm not making it hard for him. He offered to drink for you; I didn't force him. Besides, the wine is also food, not poison." Cindy shrugged her shoulders.

"We're here to have fun together. Let's drink as much as we can." Carl tried to mediate.

Henry filled Troy's glass and then the others'.

Soon, he walked up to Bella.

"Bella, I haven't drunk with you for a long time. Let's have a good drink tonight."

Bella smiled. "Okay. Feel free to fill my glass."

Her forthrightness won her cheers and whistles. This was Bella Halty, the same type as Cindy.

"My silly girl, you can't be like so. You should be gentle and delicate. Only this way will a man love you."

Cindy's exaggerated tone amused almost all the people. But then, they understood who she was referring to and stopped laughing at once.

Ears reddened, Eddy smiled with embarrassment. As for Troy, his face became sour as he glared at Cindy, but Cindy wasn't afraid of him at all.