Zoe Bell awoke again to find herself lying in a hospital bed with a nurse making her rounds, taking her temperature, "Your temperature is back to normal. You had passed out from the fever after receiving fluids in the emergency room."
"Is that so?" Zoe Bell said, smiling at her in gratitude.
A blurry profile flashed through her mind…
"You're welcome. You'll need to continue receiving fluids today, and your leg needs more rest," the nurse said.
"Thank you."
"In a few days, Dr. Peter Lewis will be coming to our hospital for a consultation," the nurse mentioned.
"Peter Lewis?" Zoe murmured the name, "Is he the renowned orthopedist? Hasn't he retired?"
"Exactly, because he's retired he has time to visit places like ours to consult and guide our work. If he hadn't retired, it would be difficult to even get a chance to see him, as his appointments are hard to secure," the nurse replied with a smile. "When he holds a consultation, you should come and see him. It'll be good for you to have him adjust your treatment."
Zoe nodded, glancing at her right leg.
Her injury from the accident years ago hadn't healed properly, and she had planned to seek a consultation in Capital City.
But at that time, her primary doctor had already told her plainly that it wouldn't matter even if it were Peter Lewis or if Hua Tuo himself were brought back to life, her leg couldn't be fixed.
Additionally, Peter Lewis had already retired then, and she had no means to contact him.
During that period, her spirits were at a low, and it was thanks to Brandon Stone busying himself contacting doctors and caring for her.
She had never been treated with much kindness growing up, so naturally, she was touched by the attention. Coupled with her adoptive parents matchmaking, she understood that she had never had a say in her own marriage. So, the two of them ended up together.
Initially, everything had been fine until she repeatedly refused physical intimacy with Brandon and didn't want to spend nights out with him.
Then Mina Bell came back…
And everything changed.
The nurse left after a few more reminders, and Zoe, her thoughts foggy, picked up her phone to discover that it was already after 10 o'clock the next morning. Last night…
William Hale?
Was it him or was her memory mistaken?
She didn't have time to ponder because her phone was nearly exploding with calls from her adoptive parents, who, unbeknownst to her, had set it to silent mode, resulting in her missing all the calls.
At that moment, Kevin Bell's call came in again. She pressed the answer button and before she could speak, she was barraged with a scolding: "Not answering your phone? Zoe Bell, you're very bold, daring to stay out all night. Where did you go?"
"I'm at the hospital."
"Don't give me that nonsense. What exactly were you doing?"
"Really, at the hospital. You can check that," she replied.
"The hospital?" Vivi Lange's voice came through as she had taken the phone, "Zoe, what made you run off to the hospital? Are you not feeling well?"
"My leg hurts."
"Why didn't you say something about your leg hurting earlier? Are you okay now?"
"I'm fine now."
Zoe couldn't help but find the concern amusing. These issues with her leg were chronic, and everyone around her knew it. They simply never took her situation to heart.
"Fine, if you're okay, come home early. There's something I need to discuss with you," Kevin said, then hung up.
—
Bell Family
By the time Zoe Bell returned home from her IV treatment, it was already dark. The rainy season always brought earlier evenings.
The housekeeper informed her that Kevin Bell had instructed her to find him in the study as soon as she got back.
Following the chaos from the night before, the Bell Family was in disarray.
Everyone had heard that Kevin Bell and Mina Bell's reputations had been tarnished in public by William Hale, all to gain favor with the Hale Family while distancing themselves from their own family.
Kevin Bell was beside himself with fury.
He inwardly cursed Zoe as a jinx.
But since Zoe had already made an impression in front of William Hale, he didn't dare to give her too hard a time for now.
The Stone Family had also made a call, with Brandon's father, Ethan Stone, saying outright, "Brandon will certainly not marry Mina Bell. Zoe Bell is the daughter-in-law our family has recognized. Don't let Mina cause any misunderstandings."
Kevin and his wife were furious.
When they had first brought back Mina Bell, the Stone Family had tacitly allowed her to get close to Brandon. Now they were speaking as if their daughter was at fault.
"The Stone Family really are despicable, ready to sacrifice our daughter to please William Hale!"
Surrounded by crises, Kevin Bell's blood pressure skyrocketed.
"Mina will definitely be heartbroken once she knows. She cried all day today, and I've just managed to soothe her to sleep," Vivi Lange fretted, pacing around the house.
Mina Bell felt humiliated and had not dared to leave the house all day, hiding in her room wiping away tears.
She also mentioned wanting to go back to her original home, which naturally filled Vivi Lange with both heartache and urgency.
"This William Hale really, it's almost as hard as reaching the sky to see him ordinarily, but last night, how so coincidental, so many people try every possible way and may still not be able to see him."
Vivi Lange sighed, "Who knew that girl would run into such good fortune."
Kevin Bell was just about to speak when the door to the study was knocked open.
Zoe Bell stood at the door.
Vivi Lange hurriedly put on a smiling face and said, "Zoe, how is your leg?"
"It's alright."
"Oh, where did you run into Mr. Hale yesterday? Are you... very familiar with each other?" Vivi Lange asked tentatively.
"It was just a chance encounter, not familiar at all."
"How could he recognize you?"
"I had seen him once before when accompanying Brandon Stone to an event."
"Just one meeting, and he remembers you?" Vivi Lange raised her eyebrows skeptically.
"Maybe Mr. Hale has a good memory."
Kevin Bell snorted, "Just as I thought, a chance encounter. People like Mr. Hale, are they the kind that just anyone can see whenever they want?"
With a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth, she thought others meeting him was taken for granted, but if she ran into him, it was considered a stroke of luck!
Everyone felt she was unworthy, unworthy of having good things, even...
Unworthy of knowing someone like William Hale.
"You're still smiling, are you satisfied now?" Kevin Bell scoffed, "Not saying a word when you ran into William Hale, making us look foolish, causing Mina to lose face, while you still get to marry into the Stone Family—this must be your plan."
"I want to say, have you ever given me a chance?" Zoe Bell responded helplessly, "Besides, I've said..."
"But no one believes it."
All they think is that she's not only glib-tongued but also vain and social-climbing, deliberately lying.
Zoe Bell's smile was bitter, "In your heart, am I really so disgraceful?"
"Back then you..."
Kevin Bell's words reached his lips but then got swallowed back, and he changed tack, "Now that the Stone Family has named you specifically, you must be very happy."
"I have already decided to do as you wish and call off the engagement," Zoe Bell stated firmly.
"The Stone Family..."
"I won't marry!"
Her tone had never been so resolute!
"What did you say! You won't marry?"
Kevin Bell's anger was uncontrollable!
His business ruined, his own daughter's reputation damaged, his perfect plans fallen through—he was already seething with rage.
Seeing Zoe Bell so calm and composed only fueled his anger, "You've racked your brains trying to marry into the Stone Family. I'm telling you, don't overplay your hand."
"Enough, stop fighting." Vivi Lange hurriedly intervened to smooth things over, pulling Zoe down to sit, "Zoe, I know, ever since Mina came back, your dad and I have neglected you, and you hold a grudge in your heart, but you must understand us. Mina has been adrift for so long; we always want to give her the best and have overlooked your feelings."
"The Stone Family has already made it clear. As long as you..."
"Mom, I've already thought it through," Zoe Bell interrupted her.
But Vivi Lange spoke with a light smile, "Don't bet your lifetime of happiness on a whim of anger. Everyone knows about your engagement, especially Director Hall. She has been looking forward to your wedding."
"Do you have the heart to disappoint her?"
"She hasn't had it easy, has taken special care of you, and even said that to thank our family for the donations, she wants to give you a big gift when you get married?"
Zoe Bell's breathing grew heavy.
That was the teacher who had looked after her at the orphanage, who is now the director, and the two had a very good relationship and had always kept in touch.
Vivi Lange's words were not a persuasion, but a threat.
As the Bell Family is currently the orphanage's biggest donor, donating a large sum of money every year, the consequences would be dire if the Bells stopped their contributions.
"Zoe, life is long, there's no need to strive over momentary emotions, don't you think?" Vivi Lange said with a smile, stroking her hair, "In a few days, the Stone Family is hosting a dinner party, and I have prepared your dress and jewelry."
As long as Zoe Bell appeared and put on a show of affection with Brandon Stone, it would naturally quash any rumors of the engagement being called off.
In the face of William Hale, they would only mention the hotel incident as a misunderstanding; someone of his stature wouldn't hold onto such a trivial matter.
Over time, Mina Bell would naturally be able to clear her name.
Zoe Bell just felt a chill throughout her body.
Zoe Bell returned to her room shivering, where a gown and a set of jewelry were already laid out on the bed. She mocked herself silently, laughing at her own helplessness for being so easily manipulated.
No matter how challenging it was, she was not afraid.
Why involve innocent people?
Was this what her life had come to?
A sense of helplessness welled up inside her.
In the following days, Mina Bell was in a bad mood, Vivi Lange accompanied her to go out to clear her mind, and Kevin Bell was busy dealing with the company affairs.
Zoe Bell took a leave of absence from work due to leg pain, which was quite peaceful for her.
The day of the Stone Family's dinner party, which also coincided with Dr. Peter Lewis's consultation day, arrived quickly.
There were many people there for a consultation. Zoe got up early and got a number, but she still had to wait until the afternoon to see him.
When she entered the office with her medical record, she saw an elderly man with white hair, accompanied by two young doctors who were helping him with the records.
"Dr. Lewis, hello," Zoe Bell said politely.
Dr. Peter Lewis pushed up his glasses and scrutinized her, "Have a seat."
"Thank you, this is my medical record," Zoe handed over her medical record.
The old man flipped through it briefly, then asked her to roll up her pants leg and place her right leg on a stool beside her for examination.
"How did this happen?" he pressed his fingers against Zoe Bell's right calf and ankle to examine it.
Zoe Bell bit her lip, "An accident."
"From dancing?" He could tell from the wear on her feet.
Zoe Bell nodded.
Dr. Lewis continued, "Did you go through conservative treatment at the time without having surgery?"
"Yes, the doctor said surgery wouldn't make much of a difference."
"Absolute nonsense!" Dr. Peter Lewis suddenly raised his voice, startling Zoe Bell, and even the two young doctors responsible for taking the notes jumped.
"Dr. Lewis, what's the matter?" a young doctor asked.
"Her leg could have been normal by now if it had been operated on promptly back then. It isn't a big problem; even a non-expert or non-orthopedic authority could see it. Who is this incompetent doctor who told you that your leg was beyond help…"
Zoe Bell felt a buzzing in her ears and didn't hear a single word of what Mr. Lewis said after that.
At the time of her injury, when mobility was compromised, her foster parents had helped her see many doctors, and Brandon Stone also said he would help her contact orthopedic specialists both domestically and internationally—those doctors…
All said it was untreatable.
They said surgery was pointless and might even lead to complications.
She had also visited several hospitals, received the same outcomes, so she gave up on surgery and consequently on dancing.
She stopped participating in competitions, ended her professional career, and thus completely altered the trajectory of her life.
The doctors had no reason to deceive her; it had to have been her foster parents and Brandon Stone…
In Greenland, they had the means to do it!
Yet she had been touched because, during the time of her injury, her foster parents had been kind to her, and Brandon Stone had taken great care of her—turns out it was all a facade.
It appeared they had never planned to let her return to the stage and had used her injury to achieve their own goals.
Brandon Stone got to date and engage her as he desired;
The Bell Family got their desired alliance with the Stone Family.
Her life was not supposed to be like this!
Why?
A chill enveloped her from all directions, wrapping around her entire body.
It was terrifying!
So terrifying that her whole body trembled.
She knew her foster parents didn't really love her, and Brandon Stone's affection might have been because she was beautiful, but she had never imagined that to achieve goals, human nature could be so vile.
Zoe Bell wandered out of the hospital in a daze, the sky during the rainy season was the color of smog, much like her life…
Heavy clouds obscured the sun, leaving no trace of light.
She even forgot to take her medical record.
Still, Dr. Peter Lewis's assistant caught up to her.
"Thank you, it's been a bother," Zoe Bell squeezed out a slight smile from the corner of her mouth.
The smile shattered like a fragile flower in the wind.
"Mr. Lewis said that if you want to undergo surgery, you can contact him. Because your leg has been delayed for too long, he can't guarantee that it will allow you to successfully perform on stage again, but at least it might mitigate the pain during damp weather."
After thanking him, Zoe casually found a place to sit down, her movements slow and heavy, feeling suffocated with every inch of air she breathed in.
As people came and went, she seemed like a wandering spirit in this world...
No place to depend on, nowhere to go.
Meanwhile, across the street, someone had already been accompanying her for a long time.
Zac Cruz sighed, "Grandfather, bringing this up is too cruel for her."
William Hale's gaze locked onto Zoe Bell, "I've waited too long, I really don't want to wait anymore."
If this storm is bound to come,
Let it be quicker and more fierce.
----
As the sky darkened and her phone vibrated, Zoe Bell checked it and saw it was a call from Vivi Lange. She took a deep breath and tried to stay calm.
"Hello, Mom?"
"Where are you? The Stone Family's banquet is about to start, you should hurry over."
Zoe Bell replied, her mind a mess at that moment; she wanted to confront them, asking why they had treated her this way.
She didn't wear a gown or jewelry, just rushed straight into the hotel where the Stone Family held the banquet, and a waiter led her to the door of a private room.
The moment she pushed the door open...
She hadn't even recovered when suddenly "bang bang—" a burst of colorful fireworks came right at her...
She instinctively squinted her eyes and when she regained her senses, the center of the room opposite the door was surrounded by countless balloons and flowers.
Brandon Stone, in a white suit, held flowers and smiled at her brilliantly.
In the room, besides Brandon Stone, there were his parents, including Kevin Bell and his wife Mina Bell, some other relatives and friends, and sitting not too far away was William Hale!
Zac Cruz glanced at the man sitting on the sofa from the corner of his eye...
Seemingly casual.
But his gaze fell on Zoe Bell at the doorway, his fingers tightening on his lap, knuckles slightly whitening.
Zoe Bell wasn't a fool, she clearly understood that tonight's so-called banquet...
Was actually a carefully planned proposal by Brandon Stone.
"Miss Bell, what are you spacing out for, hurry over," someone pushed her forward.
The rest of the people in the room were egging them on, the atmosphere vibrant, only the Bell family wore forced smiles, especially Mina, who almost burst into tears, yet managed only to squeeze out a slight smile.
"It's okay, Mina, without Brandon, Dad will find someone even better for you later," Kevin Bell quietly consoled his daughter.
Mina Bell's lips turned pale from biting, she nodded silently.
"You and Brandon might have had a chance, but..." Vivi Lange, watching her daughter in distress, full of sympathy, "The Stone Family wants to please William Hale, to enter the Circle of Capital City through him, they must maintain a good image in front of him."
"So whether Brandon wants to or not, since the engagement is set, they can't leave William Hale with the impression of a man who abandons commitments."
Mina Bell froze, looking toward her mother, "So... Brother Brandon didn't want to propose?"
Vivi Lange patted her daughter's shoulder, "In the face of family interests, his wishes don't matter."
Mina Bell bit her lip, saying no more.
Meanwhile, Brandon Stone, holding the flowers, slowly walked toward Zoe Bell, the melodious music filling the air.
Drawing closer, kneeling on one knee, he took out a red box from his pocket and opened it, revealing a diamond ring that sparkled brilliantly under the light.
"Zoe, a lot has happened recently, I know you're disappointed in me, but I truly like you. From the moment I first saw you, I fell deeply in love with you..."
The music stopped, and Zoe Bell lowered her head to look at the person in front of her, her heart a mix of emotions.
Thinking about all his previous kindness, all founded on destroying her life, she felt like she was submerged in cold water.
A chill to the bone!
"I promise, from now on, I will wholeheartedly protect you, cherish you, and never let you suffer the slightest harm."
"Zoe..." Brandon Stone, unaware of her apprehension, continued earnestly.
"Marry me!"
Anda mungkin juga menyukai
Komentar Paragraf
Fitur komentar paragraf sekarang ada di Web! Arahkan kursor ke atas paragraf apa pun dan klik ikon untuk menambahkan komentar Anda.
Selain itu, Anda selalu dapat menonaktifkannya atau mengaktifkannya di Pengaturan.
MENGERTI