Mason’s expression was ugly as he spoke with difficulty, "I have already made the best plan for you; what else do you want?"

Bella threw the agreement back at him.

"I don't want 'what else'; your words make it hard for me to believe you anymore. Since you want to compensate me, don't be stingy. I want 10% of Mason Enterprises' shares. Only long-term income can make me feel at ease."

This was the share she and Ethan had discussed.

Getting 10%, plus what Ethan had in his hands—if Mason Enterprises became even more turbulent, Ethan would be able to scheme against Mason.

Mason looked up abruptly, the guilt from just moments ago vanishing into thin air: "What did you say?"

"10% of Mason Enterprises' shares," Bella repeated. "Consider it making up for your conscience."

She knew Mason would hesitate, but she bet he would agree.

Because over these three years, she understood Mason to some extent—he wasn't a bad person; on the contrary, he was one of the rare people in that circle with a conscience.

He had his own principles and bottom line.

But for Linda, he had broken his bottom line time and again; he must not be feeling good inside.

She bet on his guilt, bet that for the sake of peace of mind, he would agree.

Mason was indeed struggling.

10% of Mason Enterprises' shares—he hadn't expected Bella’s appetite to be this large.

But if he didn't give it, he would live in guilt for the rest of his life.

"Sorry," he finally said. "I can't give the shares. But I can give you even more compensation. This money is enough for you to spend for several lifetimes..."

Chapter 12

Before she could finish, the ward door was slammed open.

Linda rushed in, her eyes red and swollen; she had clearly been crying.

"Mason, have you fallen in love with Bella? Why did you pull the trending search down?"

She demanded an explanation, filled with immense grievance.

Mason frowned: "Linda, Bella didn't do anything wrong, yet she suffered all this because of us. We can't just..."

"You’re feeling bad for her, aren't you?" Linda interrupted him.

"You said those three years of affection with Bella were all an act. Were you lying to me? In these three years, have you fallen in love with her long ago? Haven't you?"

Mason felt a surge of exhaustion.

He had done so many unscrupulous things for Linda; why did she still not trust him?

"I haven't," he said. "Linda, don't be unreasonable."

Linda looked at him in disbelief: "You’re snapping at me. You swore to me that you would only love me."

"Linda, the only one I love is you. My feelings for Bella are just guilt; she didn't do anything wrong..."

"How is she innocent?" Linda screamed.

"For three years, she enjoyed your kindness. True or fake, it was her fault!"

"That was all put on for Grandma to see!"

"Then prove it to me. Prove that you don't like her."

"I’ve already done so much. Isn't that proof enough?"

"The last thing is to ruin her completely. As long as you agree to that, I’ll believe you."

Mason looked at Linda’s frantic eyes, then at Bella’s calm face, and suddenly felt that he might never have truly understood these two women.

"I’ll say it again: today, you have to choose between her and me," Linda said.

"If you choose her, I’ll leave immediately and never see you again for the rest of my life. If you choose me, you make her reputation go up in flames."

Mason closed his eyes.

Three years ago, he had faced a similar choice—Grandma or Linda.

He had chosen Grandma and lost Linda.

Three years later, the same choice was laid before him again.

Was he going to make the wrong choice again this time?

"Fine." He opened his eyes, his gaze filled only with fatigue.

"I’ll agree to it."

He picked up the phone and dialed his assistant.

"Stop suppressing the popularity."

After hanging up, he looked at Bella:

"I agree to the demands you made. The condition is that you must release a statement admitting you cheated, admitting that all the faults are yours."

Bella smiled, a desolate smile:

"You drugged me, found an AIDS patient to defile me, and now you want me to issue a statement admitting I cheated and that I’m to blame? Mason, Linda, you are going too far."

"And so what if we are?" Linda said triumphantly.

"You are just someone who would sell even your marriage for money. It is your honor to be a stepping stone for my and Mason’s marriage."

"If you know what's good for you, sign the agreement quickly. Otherwise, I’ll have Mason kick you out directly. Even if we hit you with a car or drugged you and let an AIDS patient defile you, what can you do to us?"

"Do you think you can fight the Lin family or the Quinn family? Don't count on Old Madam Quinn to help you; you cheated on Mason, and Grandma Quinn hates you to death."

"I advise you not to be ungrateful. Otherwise, you’d better believe that Mason and I have the ability to make you even more pathetic."

Bella’s whole body was trembling; she looked at Mason.

"Do you think so too?"

His expression was grim, as if he were忍受 (enduring) something, yet he still spoke up.

"Bella, I also advise you not to be ungrateful. I have given you enough; don't push your luck."

Bella smiled. She liked their ruthlessness.

This way, she would have no burden when she took her revenge.

She nodded. "Fine, once all the agreements are signed, I will release the statement immediately."

Linda contentedly wrapped her arm around Mason’s arm:

"Mason, let's go. From today on, we can finally be together openly."

Mason was pulled away by her. When they reached the door, he turned back to glance at Bella.

Bella sat on the hospital bed, her face pale, but her back was straight, her gaze icy cold.

In that moment, Mason felt a faint sadness in his heart.

They had spent three years together; he thought they could be friends for a lifetime.

But in the end, that was impossible.

As for Bella, watching their retreating backs, she laughed.

She had been acting ever since Mason walked into the ward.

Acting out her magnanimity, acting out her pitiful state.

But thankfully, her goal had been achieved.

If Mason had sent her to the hospital back then, or even found her a clean man, she wouldn't have hated them so much.

Since you are heartless, don't blame me for being unrighteous.

Chapter 13

After Mason and Linda left, satisfied, the ward finally fell silent.

Bella watched the direction they had left in and slowly reached under her pillow for her phone.

On the screen, the recording interface showed that the recording she had just finished was saved.

She hit play, and Linda’s sharp, triumphant voice played clearly:

"And so what if we are? You are just someone who would sell even your marriage for money. It is your honor to be a stepping stone for my and Mason’s marriage!"

Bella smiled. Who said she had to be at Mason’s beck and call forever?

Once she got that land, she would definitely seek justice for herself.

The moment she hit save, Ethan walked in.

"Is it settled?" he asked.

Bella nodded: "10% of the equity. He agreed, on the condition that I admit to cheating and completely ruin my reputation."

Ethan raised an eyebrow: "And you agreed?"

"I agreed," Bella said, shaking her phone. "But I think they might not be able to bear the consequences."

Bella played the phone recording. Her own voice came through:

"You drugged me, found an AIDS patient to defile me, and now you want me to issue a statement admitting I cheated and that I’m to blame? Mason, Linda, you are going too far."

"And so what if we are?" Linda’s voice followed.

...

Ethan nodded, "Well done."

He played with the USB drive in his hand. "With what I have, it's enough to send them to prison and ruin them completely."

"No rush," Bella said, gripping the phone. "We have to wait until that land is completely in my hands."

Ethan looked at her with admiration in his eyes: "Once they go bankrupt, that land will still end up in your hands."

Bella just smiled.

She wasn't about to pin her hopes on a man.

Especially not a man who was using her to topple the Quinn family.

Ethan didn't try to make small talk.

"What else do you need me to do?"

"Help me find a reliable lawyer," Bella said.

"No problem. I guarantee they won't be any worse than the Quinn family’s team."

"After I get the shares of Mason Enterprises, I will transfer them to you. After that, all matters concerning Mason Enterprises will have nothing to do with me."