That was absolutely unacceptable.

"As for the marriage, didn't you profit from it as well? Bella, I won't say the same thing a second time."

"This agreement—sign it if you’re willing. If not,"

He let out a cold snort, "bear the consequences yourself."

Linda was the one Mason wanted to protect.

He had the ability and the means to clear away all her troubles, including evidence.

Bella had no choice but to sign.

If she signed, she at least had the money.

If she didn't, she would become a liability.

Enduring the pain, she flipped through the pages of the document one by one.

Not only did she have to prove that she had violated traffic rules and "staged" the accident herself, but she also had to certify that Linda was a "Good Samaritan" who had saved her life and rushed her to the hospital.

"Mason, what a fine example of calling a stag a horse and twisting black into white."

"I’m just being cautious. I don't want Linda to face any trouble."

Bella had no option.

Even if she fought it, it would only be others sent to prison; she couldn't harm a single hair on Linda’s head.

For Linda, Mason truly had no bottom line.

She bit the bullet and signed this humiliating agreement.

Mason took the document and turned to leave.

Bella called out to him: "Mason."

Mason stopped without turning back.

"After the birthday banquet, I hope you keep your word. A person with nothing to lose isn't afraid of someone with everything to lose. If there are any more ripples, I may be powerless, but I still have my life."

Mason’s back stiffened for a moment.

"Rest assured, I, Mason, keep my word."

The hospital door closed.

Bella lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, tears streaming down her face against her will.

She didn't want the money; she only wanted justice for those who had hurt her.

But clearly, in the eyes of the powerful, she wasn't even worth that.

Chapter 7

After Mason left, his assistant arrived shortly thereafter.

His attitude was respectful, his words earnest:

"Madam, please don't take it to heart. Mason... he is actually a very loyal person."

"If it weren't for you and Miss Linda, Mason would surely have stood by your side."

"He feels guilty toward you. He personally ordered me to find these tonics; they are very good for your injuries."

Bella merely glanced indifferently at the exquisitely packaged gift boxes and curled the corner of her lips:

"Is that so? Loyal, indeed. Then please thank Mason for his 'loyalty' on my behalf."

The assistant felt awkward but struggled to maintain a smile:

"Please set your mind at ease. What Mason promised you, he will certainly fulfill. That land will definitely be yours after the birthday banquet. During this time... please bear with it."

Bear with it?

Bear with his coldness and injustice, bear with his repaying kindness with enmity, bear with him helping Linda humiliate her, and bear with his slaps and private slanders?

Bella found the remark utterly ridiculous, but she said nothing more.

Before long, once she secured that land, she would have absolutely no connection to them.

The next day, Linda walked into the ward alone.

She casually waved the nursing assistant away.

"Bella, do you think Mason still cares about you to some extent?"

Bella remained silent; she really didn't want to waste another word on this lunatic, Linda.

Linda had no intention of letting Bella speak anyway, continuing on her own.

"Mason and I are childhood sweethearts; Mason puts me first in everything. If it hadn't been for that old hag standing in our way, Mason and I would have been together long ago."

"I thought the old lady would choose a noble, prominent daughter for Mason; I never expected it to be someone low-born like you."

"I hate her! I can't do anything to that dead old hag, but dealing with you is a piece of cake."

Bella opened her eyes, looking at Linda’s twisted face.

"Linda, doing this—aren't you afraid Mason's grandmother will find out? It will only make her block you and Mason even more."

Linda burst into laughter. "That dead old hag—how many more years can she live? How many more years can she stop me?"

"Linda, that is Mason’s grandmother. To disrespect her like this—aren't you afraid Mason will be disgusted by you?"

"Ha-ha," Linda laughed again.

"Disgusted by me? Mason is my dog. Even if I don't hold the leash, he’ll still circle around me. Bella, you should focus on recovering. Later on, I have a big gift to send your way."

After Linda left, Bella felt a wave of panic.

She didn't know what kind of madness Linda would engage in next, or how she would treat her.

She called Mason.

But every call was hung up on her.

She wanted to call her parents, too.

But in the end, she held back.

She couldn't let them worry.

Bella was discharged from the hospital, trembling with fear.

Linda didn't cause any more trouble, which allowed her to relax quite a bit.

Tomorrow was the birthday banquet for the Old Madam Quinn.

Once the banquet was over, and she received what she wanted, she could get far away from these two lunatics.

On the day of the banquet, Mason finally appeared.

Bella opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat as usual.

She joked with a smile,

"Mason, don't worry. I will stand my last watch faithfully; there’s no need for your supervision."

The tone was playful, just like the past three years.

She had thought things through during these last few days.

An arm cannot twist a thigh.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, it was better to enjoy every day.

She hoped that her usual attitude would make Mason recall a bit of their old friendship.

If Linda tried to attack her again, perhaps he would offer some protection.

Hearing her words, Mason was momentarily dazed.

Without realizing it, a faint smile actually appeared on his face.

He handed over a box.

"Wear this."

Bella took it and opened it. Inside was a sapphire necklace, shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.

She handed the box back. "There’s no need. Anyway, after today, I won't be Mrs. Quinn anymore."

Mason didn't take it back: "Wear it. Consider it... a gift for standing your last watch."

Bella eventually put on the necklace.

She would be free tomorrow; there was no need to anger Mason.

The birthday banquet was held at a hotel under the Quinn family’s name.

Almost all the elites of the city had arrived, and there were dozens of media outlets present as well.

Bella held onto Mason’s arm, smiling as she exchanged pleasantries with the guests.

Her performance was flawless; no one could tell that this elegant and proper Mrs. Quinn had been slapped just days prior and hit by a car, hospitalized, and injured.

Grandma Quinn was very happy, clutching Bella’s hand and refusing to let go: "Bella, you look so beautiful today."

"Happy Birthday, Grandma." Bella presented her gift—a "Hundred Longevity" tapestry she had embroidered by hand, taking her three months to complete.

They might never meet again; she wanted to give her heart to this old lady who had treated her well.

Grandma Quinn’s eyes reddened with emotion: "Good child, Grandma likes your gift the most."

At the banquet, Bella saw Linda.

In a white gown, she looked like a pure white lotus, laughing and talking with guests beside her father.

Their eyes met in mid-air, and Linda flashed her a meaningful smile.

Bella looked away; she would stay far away from this lunatic in the future.

Halfway through the banquet, Bella felt a bit dizzy.

"I’m going to touch up my makeup," she said to Mason.

Mason nodded: "Come back soon. Don't let Grandma worry."

The hallway on the second floor was quiet, a sharp contrast to the clamor of the grand hall.

Bella had just stepped into the restroom when the world began to spin, and she had to lean against the vanity to steady herself.

"Are you feeling unwell?" A woman’s voice sounded from behind her.

Bella turned around; it was Linda.

She immediately became vigilant.

"What do you want? Linda, this is the birthday banquet for Mason’s grandmother. If something goes wrong, Mason will definitely be angry!"

"Angry? Bella, do you think I’m afraid?"

Linda took a step forward, closing in on Bella.

"Even if I were to anger that old hag to death, do you believe Mason would still stand by my side?"

Bella tried to push her away, but found her body completely devoid of strength.

"You..." She realized something was wrong. "What exactly are you trying to do?"

Linda smiled, her expression sweet yet malicious:

"Nothing much. Someone as wonderful as me—how could I ever anger an old lady to death? Only a bitch like you is capable of making her die of anger."