The first thing Bella typed into the search bar was Christian Hampson.
Her stomach dropped at the suggestions.
• Christian Hampson's girlfriend
• Christian Hampson's wife
• The woman behind Christian Hampson's smile
With trembling fingers, she clicked on the third link.
Her world tilted.
There it was: photos of her and Chris at the Statue of Liberty. Photos of them eating together the night she wore Hailey's dress. Photos of him kissing her in his car. Photos of Chris hugging her on the street, holding her when she tried to fling open the car door. Even the moment she had run after him at Westbengal Resort was frozen in cruel clarity.
And then the headline:
"The Woman Behind Christian Hampson's Smile."
Bella's chest tightened. "Where... where did they get these?" she whispered, scrolling in horror.
It got worse.
Another link splashed across her screen, calling her a gold digger. A prostitute. A woman who preyed on wealthy men. Her hands shook harder as new images filled the page this time of her with Neil. The shot of him blowing gently on her bruised hands after the bullying incident. The hug at Westbengal Resort. And then one that nearly made her faint Neil leaning close at the Manchester restaurant, whispering in her ear. But in the photo it looked like they were kissing.
Bella's heart hammered. "No... no, that's not true. He whispered something he didn't kiss me. I didn't kiss him!"
Her voice cracked as the comments scrolled by:
• "She slept her way to the top. Typical gold digger."
• "No wonder her dad left he knew what kind of woman her mum was."
• "You deserve to die, you slut."
Bella's eyes blurred. She didn't realise she was crying until hot tears fell onto her screen. Her chest rose and fell in shallow gasps.
Chris, watching her from the driver's seat, immediately pulled the car over. "Bella, what's wrong?" He gently pried the phone from her hands and his expression turned to stone as he read.
His phone buzzed. It was Elliot. Chris answered, his voice like ice.
"What the hell is this, Elliot? Why didn't you stop it from breaking?" His tone was sharp, furious. "I want the source traced. Every single blog that posted these photos, I want them sued. And every IP that posted slander drag them to court for defamation. You have until tonight."
"Yes, sir. I'll handle it."
Chris hung up, his jaw still tight, but when he turned to Bella his voice softened. He pulled her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her like he was afraid she might shatter.
"Bella... I'm sorry. I never wanted this. I only wanted to show you how much I love you. You're not what they say. I know the truth, and I need you to believe me when I say I don't care what anyone else thinks. Please don't listen to them—listen to me. To us."
But Bella kept crying, hiccupping through her words. "I didn't kiss him, Chris. I swear I have nothing to do with Neil. I wasn't expecting him at Westbengal, and today... I just ran into him again in Manchester. That's all. I swear"
Chris cupped her face, his thumb wiping her tears. His violet eyes burned with sincerity. "I know, Christal. I believe you. I believe you."
Something inside her cracked. Heart pounding, she leaned forward and crashed her lips onto his. He froze in shock at first but then kissed her back with the kind of hunger that made her toes curl.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Chris whispered, "I love you, Bella."
For the first time all day, she smiled.
Her phone rang. Mum.
"Hello, love. Where are you? Kayden said Christian picked you up," Vera's voice sounded anxious.
"Yes, Mum. I just... I saw the posts," Bella admitted, voice shaky.
"Are you okay?"
Bella glanced at Chris, who was still watching her like she was the most fragile, precious thing he'd ever held. "Yes, Mum. I'm fine now."
"Don't come home, darling. The reporters are everywhere, we can't even step out."
"I'm sorry, Mum. I didn't mean to drag you into this mess."
"Ella, it's fine. Just stay safe. Go with Christian. His house is the only place they can't touch you."
"Yes, Mum."
"The twins and Raquel say hi."
Bella sniffed a laugh. "Tell them hi back."
Chris's mansion loomed as they drove in, lights from the fountain glinting across the polished driveway. Bella had been here once before, but this time she noticed everything, the grand chandelier through the window, the sweeping marble staircase, the way every piece of furniture seemed designed for royalty.
Inside, a warm voice greeted them.
"Welcome home, sir." Claret, the housekeeper, smiled at Chris.
"Thanks, Claret. Ask Bella what she'd like for dinner."
Claret turned with a polite bow. "Any preference, ma'am?"
Bella waved her hands quickly. "Oh, no please don't call me ma'am. Just Ella."
"Of course. Any allergies, Ella?"
"Mango," Bella said with a small smile.
"Alright then." Claret dipped her head before heading toward the kitchen.
Bella exhaled, glancing around the vast home that now felt like both a safe haven and a gilded cage. Chris caught her eye, his own gaze softening.
"Welcome home," he said again, but this time it was only for her.
Chris's smile was disarming. His dimples, his eyes, the warmth that softened the sharp angles of his face it all pulled Bella in before she even realised what was happening. Their bodies seemed to move on their own, closing the space between them until only inches remained.
His gaze dipped to her lips. He hesitated, waiting for her permission. Bella's breath caught. She leaned in, closing her eyes, and then his mouth claimed hers.
Her heart raced, her skin flamed. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. It was nothing like she had ever felt before every nerve in her body alive, every moment burning with longing. She wanted him. She wanted Christian Hampson.
Her legs slid over his lap, straddling him, feeling the undeniable press of his body beneath her. His hands gripped her hips, hers tugged at his shirt, desperate for more. The fire only grew hotter.
When his lips trailed to the sensitive spot behind her ear, a soft moan escaped her throat. His fingers unhooked her bra with practiced ease, and her breath shuddered as his mouth marked her skin with urgent kisses.
"Bella..." His voice was hoarse, strained with desire. "You drive me insane."
She arched against him, heat coursing through her veins. His lips closed around her breast and she gasped, pleasure rippling through her body. When he laid her gently on the bed, she instinctively tried to cover herself, but he caught her hands.
"You don't have to hide from me," he murmured, eyes dark with need. "You're beautiful. All of you."
He stripped off his shirt, revealing broad shoulders, sculpted muscles, and abs carved to perfection. Bella's eyes roamed over him, breathless, caught between awe and desire.
His mouth travelled lower, worshipping her skin with every kiss. When his lips reached her thigh, he looked up at her, silently asking. She nodded, nerves and anticipation sparking together. In a single movement, she slipped off her shorts, surrendering herself to him.
And Chris showed her just how much he had been holding back.
Bella woke the next morning sore in places she never thought possible. Chris had been gentle, but she was still so new to intimacy. This was only her second time that her body ached from the intensity of it all.
Chris was still asleep, his features relaxed, almost boyish. His hair was tousled from her fingers, his lips slightly swollen from the endless kisses they had shared. He looked nothing like the ruthless tycoon the world saw just a man, peaceful in her bed.
Her heart swelled. She tucked closer to him, and he instinctively pulled her in, even in his sleep. Bella smiled, drifting back into dreams.
The next time she opened her eyes, it was to the soft brush of lips on her forehead.
"Good morning, sunshine," Chris said, his dimples flashing as he stood dressed sharply in a navy Armani suit, white shirt, and polished Prada shoes.
Bella sat up, pulling the blanket against her chest. "Good morning," she murmured, blushing at the memory of the night before.
"You don't have to go to work today," Chris said smoothly, adjusting his tie. "I already spoke to Mrs. Henshaw."
Bella blinked. "What do you mean you spoke to her?"
"I told her you won't be coming in until further notice. Not until this scandal dies down."
Bella froze. Then anger surged like ice through her veins. "You what?"
"I called her this morning," Chris explained, showing his call log. "It's better this way. Reporters won't hound you at work, and the company avoids unnecessary drama—"
"You meddled in my job without even asking me?" Bella cut in, her voice rising.
Chris frowned. "Bella, I was only trying to protect you"
"Protect me?" Her laugh was bitter. "No, Chris. You weren't protecting me. You were protecting your business. You didn't even give me the chance to speak for myself! Do you know how this looks now? Like I am exactly what the media says a gold digger who only has her job because she sleeps with her boss."
"Bella, no"
"How dare you decide for me? How dare you take away my choice?" Her hands shook as she yanked on her clothes. "You've made it worse, Chris. Even if the rumours clear, no one will ever believe I got here on merit."
His expression darkened with frustration. "So what then? Do you still see me only as your boss? After everything we shared last night?"
Her chest ached, but anger burned hotter than heartbreak. "Maybe I was a fool to think you cared about me as a person and not just as another problem to manage."
"Bella, what I feel for you is real. Deeper than business, deeper than"
"Enough," she snapped, raising a hand to silence him. Her eyes shimmered with hurt. "You've always seen me as convenient. A project. A distraction. Maybe even a charity case. But I refuse to be anyone's business decision."
She tore her wrist from his grasp and walked to the door.
"Bella, please"
"You disgust me," she whispered, and slammed the door behind her.