Belle emerged from the shrubs where she had been hiding for a long time, nodding at Natalia. "Not bad, you kept your word and didn't bring anyone with you."
Natalia shook her head, surprised at Belle's cunningness. She had been watching from the sidelines to see if Natalia would bring anyone to capture her.
Belle had been hiding for a long time, her aura radiating an intense malice. Like a rat, she had been hiding in the most dangerous places, avoiding the pursuit of Chase and James. But Belle knew that she was safe as long as she had the antidote that would save Magnus.
Natalia had a hard time hiding her disdain for Belle. "Belle, why did you poison Magnus? How could anyone be as cruel as you?"
"I'm cruel?" Belle laughed, hugging her arms. "You're right, Natalia. I'm cruel, and not just cruel, I'm filthy! Do you know who I am, Natalia? Do you know how much I wanted to strangle you when I saw you and Magnus together?"
Belle's words left Natalia confused. When had she offended Belle? "Belle, who are you?"
"Who am I?" Belle laughed again. "I'm Isabella, Natalia. You've been living a peaceful life for too long, you've even forgotten about me. You never saw me as your opponent, did you?"
Belle looked resentfully at Natalia, wishing she could claw that enchanting face of hers. "Natalia, how am I inferior to you? Tell me! Why did Magnus treat me like dirt just because you appeared?! You disappeared for five years, but do you know where I was?! Do you know what kind of life I've been living?! Huh?! You don't know. You don't know anything! You're protected by Magnus so thoroughly, from even the slightest harm!"
Natalia was taken aback. She never expected Belle to be the long-missing Isabella.
"Why you? Isabella!" She wanted to laugh, but she couldn't. "You loved Magnus, didn't you? Why destroy him? Why poison him?"
Even though Isabella was cruel, she had always loved Magnus. Natalia knew this.
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