In the parking lot, Brad was still angry and slammed his fist on the steering wheel. "I should have listened to you and not gone to apologize. I just set myself up for more frustration. She's really being pampered too much."
Kori, sitting beside him, quickly chimed in, "I told you that she's just playing mind games and deliberately putting on airs. If you don't set the rules now, I'm sure that she'll have you wrapped around her finger after you get married to her."
Brad paused and turned to look at Kori. "So, what are you suggesting?"
Kori masked the fleeting satisfaction in her eyes with a concerned expression. "I heard Miss Shaw's legs can't move now. I have an idea that can both treat her legs and curb her spoiled behavior."
Brad's eyes lit up. "Alright. I'll go with your plan."
Meanwhile, Bella hesitated but eventually told Juliana about her intention to break off the engagement after Brad left.
It caused quite a stir. Several elders from the Simpson family visited Bella in the hospital room. They showed great deference and expressed concern for Bella.
Juliana held Bella's hand and gently dissuaded her. "Brad was indeed out of line this time, but he truly cares for you. Considering the history you have had, please think it over."
After much deliberation, Bella found herself wavering.
Juliana was right. She and Brad shared a wonderful and sweet past.
Before Kori's appearance, even though they had different personalities and interests, they always managed to compromise for each other and maintain harmony in their relationship.
Although he was sharp-tongued and harsh, he was attentive to Bella.
He remembered all of Bella's preferences. As long as she mentioned a popular dessert in front of him, it would appear on her desk the next day.
For her piano recitals, he would arrange the most lavish flower tributes; he sponsored every performance of her dance troupe, and on her coming-of-age birthday, he even arranged a city-wide fireworks display in her honor.
He once went skydiving from the tallest building in Bexwell just to unfurl a specially commissioned support banner for Bella.
"To the future prima ballerina, Bella, happy 18th birthday."
All those memories flooded Bella's mind whenever she closed her eyes.
After a long moment, she sighed deeply and decided to hold on to Brad's rare sincerity.
After Juliana left, Bella took a short nap. She was startled awake by the noise around her.
She found herself tied to a wheelchair, being pushed into a basement by several people.
"Who are you? What are you doing?" Bella's face was full of panic.
The people were surprised by her sudden consciousness. They cursed, "Damn! We didn't use enough sedative. How did she wake up?"
Bella tried to scream for help, but her mouth was gagged. Her eyes were blindfolded, and she was lifted onto the backseat of a car.
When she could see again, she realized she had been brought to a private room in a club.
She was surrounded by a crowd with predatory gazes. Bella shivered with fear.
"Mr. Simpson says there's a million-dollar reward if you can make Miss Shaw's legs feel anything, no matter what method you use."
Bella's eyes widened. "What? No!"
Mr. Simpson?
Was it Brad? Why would he do this? Why would he hurt her in such a way?
Bella was completely panicked and shouted at those people around her, "I won't allow this. I want to see Brad. Let him come to me."
But they ignored her and started to choose their tools in the room.
Some picked up bottles, others skirts, lighters, and even long knives. They looked eager to try them on Bella.
As the crowd closed in, Bella was filled with terror. "I can give you more money. Two million, no... I'll give you five million. Just don't touch my legs."
Yet her desperate cries did nothing to stop those crazy people.
The next moment, a heavy stick struck her calf.
Though she felt no pain, she clearly heard her leg bone breaking.
Bella was utterly in despair. She had never regretted meeting Brad more than at that moment.
When Kori arrived at the private room, Bella lay in the wheelchair, and her tears had long dried.
Kori laughed suddenly. "So much for being the best young woman in Bexwell. You're still defeated by me."
Sensing something, Bella shot a fierce glare at Kori. "You will... get your comeuppance..."
Kori raised her eyebrows. "After I become Mrs. Simpson, Brad will protect me. What can the Shaw family do to me?" After savoring the despair on Bella's face, Kori pulled out a dagger and raised it.
She was about to plunge it into Bella's legs and deliver the final blow when suddenly, the door was kicked open with a splintering crash.
The scene inside the room shocked the few people at the door.
A surge of anger shot through James. He rushed forward and kicked Kori away with a blow to the chest.
Holding Bella in his arms, James was full of guilt. "I'm sorry, Bella, but I was late."
As he was about to leave with Bella, Brad reached the doorway and tried to explain the situation. "James, listen to me. I was trying to treat Bella..."
James kicked Brad hard and sent him crashing into the corridor wall, unable to get up for a while.
With a cold face, he said to the bodyguards beside him, "Break the hands and legs of anyone who laid a hand in this room just now."
Bella leaned against James and watched Brad, who was still worrying about Kori even after taking a hard kick. "James, if you have any issues, come at me. This has nothing to do with Kori..."
Bella was completely disillusioned. She said in a calm tone as she had given up hope, "James, break off the engagement with the Simpson family. From today on, I have nothing to do with Brad anymore."
