Under the intense effects of altitude sickness, Bella didn't even have the strength to call for help.

After Kori left with her friends, there was only Bella left in the cold place.

Her outer coat had been violently stripped away, and the thin layer underneath was instantly robbed of all warmth.

Her exposed limbs quickly lost heat, and soon she began to lose feeling in them.

Bella grew conscious, with the cold wind slicing at her like knives.

No. She couldn't just sit there for death.

In a few hours, she would surely die.

She struggled to turn her head and saw the satellite phone that had been kicked away. It hadn't fallen into the water but had instead landed on a block of ice.

In what seemed like a last burst of strength before death, Bella crawled to the lake's edge and reached out for the satellite phone.

Thankfully, luck was on her side. She took it in her trembling hands. As her vision blurred, she managed to dial an emergency number.

"Help... me..." she whispered.

But before she could finish, her hand slipped, and she fell into the bottomless, icy lake along with the phone.

When Bella awoke again, it was five days later.

From Juliana's explanation, Bella learned about what had happened after she passed out.

She had just set out for the snowy mountain when her brother, James Shaw, who had just returned to the country. As soon as he received the news, he rushed to the mountain in a frenzy.

Fortunately, he was there. Upon receiving the distress call, he immediately dispatched a helicopter to search the mountain.

When they found Bella, she was submerged at the lake's bottom, barely alive.

She was resuscitated for 12 hours, receiving multiple critical condition alerts.

Martin was furious. He whipped Brad severely and forced him to be on his knees at the hospital room door to pray for Bella's recovery.

Juliana sighed, "Brad must have been bewitched by Kori. Even when he was on his knees at the door, he kept defending her, insisting that it was an accident due to your inexperience..."

"Juliana." Bella quietly interrupted her complaints. "Is there something wrong with my legs?"

Since waking up, Bella could feel that her legs seemed completely numb.

Juliana's face froze, and she dared not speak.

Her silence confirmed Bella's worst fears. She seemed to have been struck by lightning.

She had learned classical dance since childhood, and she joined the prestigious national dance troupe at ten. She dreamed of performing at Vienna's Golden Hall. How could she lose her legs?

"The doctor says the frostbite is severe and has damaged the tendons and nerves in your legs. They might not be able to recover for some time..." Seeing Bella's tearful face, Juliana quickly reassured her. "Don't worry. James has gone abroad to find the best doctor. It's said that the doctor specializes in treating frostbite. As long as you take good care of your legs, there's hope."

Bella let out a sigh of relief. She gently touched her legs and couldn't imagine how devastated she would be if she could never dance again.

Perhaps because of the mess Brad had made this time, the Simpson family covered all expenses during her recovery. They even brought a lot of expensive supplements to her hospital room.

Brad visited Bella on the sixth day after Bella woke up.

His injuries hadn't healed. He grimaced in pain as he sat down. But he still tried to reach for Bella's hand. "Bella, I'm sorry for what you've been through. I'll be more careful next time..."

But before he could touch her fingers, Bella expressionlessly moved her hand away. "There won't be a next time."

Brad's smile froze. "Come on. Don't be mad. Kori was careless this time. She thought you were faking your altitude sickness to slack off and wanted to go down early. You're generous. Please don't hold it against her. She's just immature..."

He was clearly showing blatant favoritism towards Kori.

He didn't even make a sincere apology or explain why Bella had been left on the mountain alone.

He seemed to be certain that Bella wouldn't be angry with him. He spoke as casually as if they were discussing the weather.

Bella suddenly found it absurd. "Do you know that I almost died?"

Brad paused and then grinned. "But you didn't, right? Stop jinxing yourself. Okay, okay, I know you're upset. I'll make it up to you later."

Seeing Bella remain silent, he assumed she agreed with his request and leaned in with a smile. "But you have to put in a good word for me with Grandpa. He's furious because of you and says I can't go out with Kori anymore. This whole thing started because of you, so you have to help me fix it..."

Bella stared at Brad in disbelief. She couldn't believe he could say such things.

"Brad, Kori abandoned me halfway up the mountain. She even took all my supplies and stripped me of my winter clothes. I'm lying here because of her, and you want me to speak for her?" Bella let out a cold laugh. "Sorry, but I can't do that. And don't drag me into your extreme sports anymore. I can't afford to risk my life."

Brad froze.

Bella had always spoken to him with gentle and accommodating words, going along with his every wish. No matter how serious his mistakes were, the mere semblance of an apology from him would be enough for her to meekly make amends.

It was the first time she had spoken to him so coldly.

Brad believed that he had already humbled himself. He had felt disgruntled by Martin's scolding before. So his anger flared. "Fine. You just don't like Kori, don't you? You make it sound all high and mighty. Aren't you just jealous and deliberately picking on Kori?

He sneered, "If it weren't for the arranged marriage between our families, I would never be so patient with you, such a pampered woman."

As Brad stormed out, Bella found herself questioning for the first time whether the marriage between the two families is really necessary.

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."

After the incident at the club, Brad was on edge for quite some time.

He kept thinking about the scene when Bella was carried away by James. Her face was pale, and blood streamed from her legs. She was like a lifeless ragdoll.

He rushed to the hospital overnight and intended to explain things to Bella, only to be told that she had already been discharged.

Brad immediately wanted to call Bella to ask what was going on, but Kori called him at that moment. "Brad, please, come and help. Bella's brother has gotten a lawyer to sue me. They claimed that they were going to send me to jail."

By the time he arrived at the police station, Kori was already in custody. She was about to be taken to jail. Seeing Brad appear, she burst into tears.

"Brad, please help me clear up. I can't go to jail."

Brad hurriedly stepped forward. He stopped the one restraining Kori and shielded her behind him. He paused and then said to James, who had remained silent on the opposite side.

"James, Kori had good intentions, but things went awry. She only wanted to help Bella with her leg treatment. For my sake, could you let her off this time?"

"Did she help Bella with her leg treatment?" James almost laughed. He coldly stared at Brad and said, "Who do you think caused Bella to lose sensation in her legs? Do you know that I had already found the best leg injury expert for her? She could have continued to stand on the stage without any issues, but her legs suffered irreparable damage because of you. Do you understand that Bella could have been paralyzed forever if I had arrived just a bit later?"

Brad's heart skipped a beat. He wanted to speak, but Kori was quicker. "But she's not paralyzed, right? As long as she's able to walk, that's fine. Maybe her legs regained sensation because of my stimulation. And she should thank me for it... Ah!"

Before Kori could finish, James picked up a water glass and hurled it at Kori's head.

It hit hard and left a large gash on her forehead. Blood gushed out instantly.

She clutched her forehead and cried pitifully. She desperately hid behind Brad. "Brad, help me. He's going to kill me."

Brad's expression darkened. He stood in front of James and gazed at the latter icily. "James, out of respect for the years of friendship between our families, I am polite to you, but don't push it too far."

Having said that, Brad seemed to realize his attitude was overly harsh, so he softened his tone a little bit. "This incident was meant for Bella's good, and I didn't expect it to go wrong. I can apologize to you, but Bella's legs can be healed now, so just let this go."

He smiled at James. "After all, we're going to be family. Bella has always been broad-minded. Don't make a big deal of it."

James almost laughed with anger. He slapped the table and was about to speak when his phone suddenly rang.

After he finished the call and returned, his face was grim. He glanced at Brad and Kori and then left without a word before slamming the door behind him.

His assistant quickly gathered up his belongings and followed him out.

Kori was still angry. She couldn't help but mutter, "He must just be bluffing. I doubt he'd dare do anything to me..."

But Brad wasn't listening. He stepped forward to ask James, "James, where's Bella? I didn't see her at the hospital. She just had surgery and needs a good rest. I've already told my grandfather to prepare the best care team for her..."

James glanced sideways at him and sneered, "Brad, the biggest regret of my life was that I didn't realize what a scumbag you were when our families arranged your engagement."

Brad's face changed instantly. He instinctively wanted to argue with James, but James had already left.

Brad thought the matter would end there, but a few days later, Kori came crying to him.

She said that the people they had hired before had all been sent to jail by James and were now serving at least three-year sentences.

Their families dared not do anything against James, but they knew Kori was the instigator. They gathered in large numbers outside the apartment Kori rented, leading to her eviction by the landlord. She was now forced to live in hiding, unable to afford even a hotel.

Kori had escaped legal punishment from James that day, so she thought she had gotten away scot-free.

However, she learned that James had sent her doings directly to her company and even to her alma mater.

Due to the severity of her behavior, she was fired, and her degree was cancelled.

Without academic credentials, she couldn't find a decent job.

Brad had considered confronting James, asking him not to push things too far, but his parents had warned him.

The Shaw family was furious and had canceled all their collaborations with the Simpson family, causing irreparable damage to the Simpson Group.

Brad himself was overwhelmed with work at the company.

With no other options, Brad tried every means to contact Bella, only to find that she had blocked him on all platforms. The Shaw family's residence had been empty.

When he considered asking Juliana for information, Kori stopped him.

"Can't you see what's happening? Miss Shaw is just trying to make you chase her. It's the same old trick. She is waiting for you to apologize to her."

Brad paused, and suspicion clouded his face. "But it really was my fault this time. Bella was seriously injured..."

"Haven't you done enough? Her brother crippled our people's hands and feet, not caring about your face in the circle. Isn't that a slap in your face?

Besides, we both got hit by him and apologized. What more do they want? Bella just can't dance anymore. Do they want to take our lives to pay her?"

Brad recalled James's words before leaving during the confrontation at the police station.

His face darkened. Seeing the change in Brad's face, Kori felt a surge of joy. She leaned closely to Brad and said, "I think we should act like we're in a good relationship. Miss Shaw loves you so much and gets jealous easily. If we act like we're in love, she won't be able to stand it and will definitely come out."