Chapter 10 Jude Bell " Jude , you interested ? " 林 78 % +10 Free Coins Maurice Rowse had noticed her too - the girl on the dance floor , moving like she owned the place . Tilda was magnetic , lit up like a queen under the flashing lights . But what really caught Maurice's attention wasn't Tilda . It was Jude . Jude was watching her . Not a passing glance . Not idle curiosity . He was watching with a kind of focus that was rare for him - cool , distant , and reserved as he usually was . Jude Bell , the elusive and powerful CEO of DY Group , never gave women a second look . Yet now , his gaze hadn't left Tilda for a single second . Half his face was lost in shadow , the other brushed with dim light that caught the sharp set of his lips - firm and unyielding . His nose was straight and proud , his features too striking to be dulled by the darkness . Even hidden in the half - light , his eyes seemed to cut through the night like arrows tipped in fire . Jude didn't answer Maurice's question , but his eyes still flocked to Tilda . His silence spoke volumes . There was something about Tilda that pulled at him - something familiar . Jude saw something in Tilda that felt familiar - like he'd finally found someone cut from the same cloth . His gaze was razor - sharp , and it was nothing like anyone else's . It went deeper . It searched . It stripped away layers , looking for the person beneath . And Tilda felt it . Her attention shifted , her eyes following that invisible thread to the fourth - floor glass wall . The glass was treated so no one below could see in - but she knew . Someone was watching . When the music ended , she walked back to Una , breathless and glowing from the dance . " Tilda , that was wonderful! " Una clapped , eyes bright with excitement . 4 ||| 1/6 23:21 Thu , Sep 4 Chapter 10 Jude Bell Tilda chuckled and reached over to ruffle Una's hair . She was about to speak when- " Hey , gorgeous , feel like joining us for a drink ? " 18 % +10 Free Coins A man swaggered up , dripping in flash and ego . Gold chains . His blonde hair was slicked back as if he had just stepped out of a fashion spread . Early twenties . Cocky grin . Still , he wasn't bad - looking . A thick gold tag hung from his neck . It read : Bell . Tilda didn't even glance his way . " Not interested ." Instead of being offended , the man laughed . " Feisty . I like that . Listen , babe , getting noticed by me ? That's your lucky day . Name's Preston Bell . " He reached out to touch her . " Don't touch Tilda ! " Una darted between them , arms spread wide like a tiny lioness protecting her cub . Her big eyes glared up at him , fierce and adorable . Preston's gaze slid to Una , and his eyes lit up . His interest shifted instantly . Didn't expect the friend to be this pretty . She had that innocent look . Probably never been kissed . A perfect contrast to Tilda's bold , fiery energy . Jackpot . Tonight really was his lucky night . " Hey , Wade , " Clive muttered , nudging his friend . " Your sister's got some creep on her . " He squinted . " Hmm , looks familiar . Wait - is that Preston ? From the Bells ? " " I saw him , " Wade said through clenched teeth , though he didn't notice much else . Preston Bell was the notorious playboy of the family , a relative not from the main branch- rich , reckless , and completely without shame . The kind of guy who showed up at parties with a different girl every night , surrounded by friends who fueled his every whim . He was the spoiled rich kid everyone loved to hate . He once stole another man's girlfriend right in front of a crowd , but no one dared to call him out . O 4 ว ||| O < 2/6 23:21 Thu , Sep 4 \ Chapter 10 Jude Bell Because behind Preston stood the Bells - Slosa's untouchable elite . 78% +10 Free Coins And above them all was the one man nobody in the city would dare cross - the elusive CEO of DY Group . Even the powerful Jensons thought twice before challenging the Bells . " This isn't good ," Clive muttered . " Preston's got his sights on Tilda . If she doesn't lose him fast , things could get messy . " He glanced at Wade . " Are you stepping in or what ? If you do , I've got your back ." Clive wasn't exactly the kind of guy who'd risk making enemies with the Bells for a stranger . But if Wade moved first , that was another story . It all came down to whether Wade cared enough about his sister to get involved . Right now , Wade still hadn't made up his mind . " I'm just trying to make some friends , ladies . No need to get all worked up ," Preston drawled , his tone dripping with sleaze . He didn't notice the way Tilda's expression hardened . Before he could finish his line , she snapped her leg up and drove her foot straight into his gut . Preston went flying like a rag doll , crashing into a stack of tables and chairs . The crack of ribs breaking echoed through the bar . Gasps erupted from nearby patrons . Most scrambled out of the way , while a few stayed , eager to watch the drama unfold . Clive let out a low whistle . " Holy cow ! Wade , your sister's something else ! " Wade froze . He'd been about to jump in - but now ? Tilda didn't need saving . She could fight . This wasn't the girl he remembered . The timid , insecure Tilda who used to fade into the background was gone . In her place stood someone fierce , confident ... dangerous . 2 Before the dust had even settled , Tilda reached out and gently covered Una's eyes . She didn't want her to see something so violent . O 4 111 O 3/6 23:21 Thu , Sep 4 Chapter 10 Jude Bell 78 % +10 Free Coins " Tilda , what just happened ? Are you hurt ? Don't be scared ; this place has great security . They won't let anything happen to us , " Una said , her voice shaking . She had never experienced something like this ; rattled , she was still trying to protect Tilda . Warmth stirred in Tilda's chest . " I'm fine , Una . I'll handle it . " " Mr. Preston ! " A few of Preston's lapdogs rushed over to pull him to his feet . Blood streaked his face , and pain twisted his body , but his glare stayed locked on Tilda - wild and furious . " Bitch ! You're out of your mind ! You dare lay a hand on me ? Get her ! Now ! " " Yes , Mr. Preston ! " " Back off ! " The shout snapped Wade out of his daze . He stepped forward without thinking , his voice hard . Tilda's eyes widened . Wade ? What is he doing here ? Is he standing up for me ? Preston's eyes burned red , and he roared , " Who the heck are you ? Trying to play hero . Get him too ! " " Yes , Mr. Preston ! " Clive grinned the moment Wade stepped forward . Of course he wasn't going to just stand by now . The two of them moved in together , and within seconds Preston's crew was sprawled on the floor , groaning in pain . They might've looked tough , but against Wade and Clive - both trained from childhood as heirs of powerful families - they didn't stand a chance . In their world , knowing how to fight wasn't a hobby . It was survival . Tilda stayed off to the side , arms crossed , watching with a faint smirk . What is this - Wade playing the hero now ? 4/6 4 ||| O 23 . Sep Chapter 10 Jude Bell Please . By then , security had been alerted , and guards finally rushed in . 78 % +10 Free Coins After confirming what had happened , security moved in fast . They grabbed Preston and his crew on the spot . " I'm warning you ! " Preston barked . " Don't touch me ! I'm a Bells ! " The head of security at Nightingale Bar wasn't the kind of man to be easily intimidated- especially not by someone like Preston . He let out a cold scoff . " My boss is a close friend of Mr. Bell . If he finds out you stirred up trouble here tonight , you'll be lucky to walk out in one piece." Jude's ruthlessness was legendary across the city . Anyone who crossed him - family or not - paid the price . Preston's face drained of color . He'd clearly chosen the wrong place to throw his weight around . If that devil of a man heard Preston had been using the family's influence to bully people , he'd be done for . The bar manager stepped forward as Preston was dragged away . His tone was smooth , almost polite . " Now , let's discuss compensation . " He turned to the guests and offered a respectful bow . " We're deeply sorry for the disturbance . As an apology , all charges for tonight will be waived . " Then he approached Tilda and Una . " We've reviewed the situation thoroughly . On behalf of Nightingale Bar , please accept this Elite Diamond Card . It gives you 70 percent off every visit , plus a 500,000 dollar credit already loaded ." It was an unbelievably generous offer . Una's jaw dropped . " Is this really for us ? " The Elite Diamond Card wasn't something you could just sign up for . You had to spend at least three million a year here to even qualify . Tilda had only applied for a regular membership . " I understand . " She accepted the card without fuss , calm as ever . She was satisfied with how the bar had handled things . O 4 @ D 5/6 TIL O く Sep Chapter 10 Jude Bell 4. + 78 % +10 Free Coins As for Preston's disgusting stunt ? She'd already moved past it . That one kick would keep him in a hospital bed for a month . And tonight's bill ? He'd be paying it in full . The people behind Nightingale Bar weren't the type to swallow a loss . They'd make sure Preston paid - literally and financially . Once everything was settled , the staff moved quickly , restoring the area like nothing had happened . In the grand scheme of the night , the little scene that had played out was barely a ripple . Everyone went back to drinking and laughing . In a place like this , fights weren't exactly rare . The difference was how the bar handled them . And Nightingale Bar ? They'd wiped a tab worth at least a hundred grand without batting an eye . That was power . And that was why people kept coming back . Wade stood there , eyes locked on Tilda , his expression tangled with emotions . He'd been torn about stepping in , but the moment he shouted and moved forward , he realized he already had . Tilda gave him a glance before turning away . She took Una's hand and headed for the door . She couldn't stay here - not with Wade around . Even breathing the same air as the Jensons made her skin crawl .