Belle's Confrontation

"That's right, call Belle out!"

"Lily Evans, are you too scared to call Belle? Feeling guilty, aren't you!"

"I already said Belle is mine, but you all wouldn't believe me. Look at Lily Evans, she's so scared she won't even let Belle come out! Hahaha!" Ernie Lee suddenly seized the upper hand and grew smug again.

Lily Evans bit her lip and clenched her fists. "Belle caught a chill last night and fell ill. She can't get out of bed, let alone see anyone!"

Ernie Lee burst into loud laughter. "What a coincidence that she got sick last night! If you ask me, her legs went weak after I treated her so well yesterday! Hahaha! Belle, my dear Belle, come out! Where's that wild energy from last night?"

The two sides squared off. Ernie Lee and his group insisted Belle come out, while Lily Evans refused to back down.

The villagers started to get suspicious. Why was Lily Evans so adamant about not letting Belle come out? Even if she was sick, this was a matter of chastity—surely they could help her outside with someone supporting her.

So the villagers started to gossip:

"Why do you think Lily Evans won't agree to let Belle come out? Is she hiding something?"

"I think so. Otherwise, why haven't we seen Belle at all?"

"Exactly! Belle is out in the fields every day, so why can't she come out now? Could Ernie Lee be telling the truth?"

Lily Evans listened to the villagers' gossip, her expression growing darker. But she was determined—no matter what, she wouldn't let Ernie Lee get his way.

Just as the confrontation reached its peak, someone suddenly shouted, "Hey, Belle's here!"

Lily Evans was startled and turned around to see Belle, pale-faced, walking out with the help of Guyu.

"Greetings, Madam." Belle bowed gracefully to Lily Evans, her face looking terrible.

"Why... why did you get out of bed?" Lily Evans quickly supported Belle and said to Guyu, "Hurry and help your sister back inside. She can't catch a chill now!"

"Madam, there's no need." Belle took a deep breath, lifted her head, and forced herself to face that terrifying villain, Ernie Lee, her nails digging into her palm beneath her sleeves.

Ernie Lee grinned lewdly at Belle. "Oh, Belle, you've come. Can't bear to leave me, huh? You haven't forgotten what happened last night, have you?"

Lily Evans bit her lip, worriedly watching Belle. This was Belle's own inner demon—she had to overcome it herself.

But could Belle conquer her inner fears? Could she overcome the ancient notion of a woman's chastity?

Belle's lips trembled, and Lily Evans could feel her shaking, as if she might collapse at any moment. But Belle finally took a deep breath, forced her teeth to stop chattering, and said, word by word, "Ernie Lee, stop spouting lies and slandering my reputation! I was home serving my mistress last night—I never saw you, so what 'nightly event' are you talking about?!"

Ernie Lee was stunned for a moment, not expecting Belle to deny everything.

But Ernie Lee wasn't about to let this fat sheep slip away. He stepped forward and said, "Belle, you've seen how I've treated you these days. My feelings are real! Last night, I just couldn't help myself—our feelings were mutual, don't be shy. I'm here to propose marriage. If you marry me, you'll be my wife and no one will gossip."

"Pah! Who's real to you? Take a good look in the mirror—why would I ever fancy you?" Belle spat angrily, her face pale, then raised her voice to the villagers: "Ernie Lee is after my mistress's property and has always tried to cozy up to me. But I've ignored him, so now he wants to ruin my reputation! Don't believe a word from Ernie Lee. We can't let a scoundrel like him succeed!"