Chapter 2202
Christopher's expression grew colder by the second, casting a chilling shadow over the rose garden. The air around them seemed to grow frosty. Bella stared at the pebbles by her feet through tear-soaked lashes before turning her head to look at Jace.
Snap.
Crunch, crunch.
Jace stared at Bella's red and swollen eyes as he took a bite of an apple, chewing noisily.
A powerful surge of emotion ran through her. Her shoulders trembled violently as she summoned all her strength to stand and walk toward him.
With a loud crash, the wheelchair tipped over, sending her tumbling to the ground along with it.
"Bella! Are you okay?!" Christopher rushed to help her up, only to be pushed away in a fit of hysteria.
"I don't need you... I can do it myself!"
Bella gritted her teeth, her fingers digging into the muddy ground. Despite her disheveled state, she was determined to rise again. Christopher was left in utter disbelief.
He had injected her with a sedative last night. Her limbs should still be weak and paralyzed. Theoretically, she should not have been able to move at all. Perhaps Jace's presence had sparked an extraordinary willpower within her frail body, allowing her to miraculously overcome the effects of the drug. As he watched the girl stubbornly rise from the ground, Jace paused mid-bite, his cold, emotionless eyes deepening for a fleeting moment. Bella gazed at Jace, her eyes shimmering.
"Hugh... It's you, isn't it? My brother doesn't like the sea, and his favorite food is apples, so it must be you, right?"
"What are you doing here?" Christopher glared at Jace with a hostile expression.
"Just passing through."
Jace shifted his gaze from Bella's pale face to the beautiful rose garden. "The scenery is nice, but somehow, it feels dull." Christopher narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"It's obvious that Ms. Thompson doesn't want to marry you. This garden full of roses is just a field of unripe fruit."
Jace finished his apple and tossed the core into the rose bushes.
Christopher flared with anger as he clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white with the effort.
"Mr. Bailiff, you've always been one to follow the rules set by the Boss, never speaking more than necessary. Why is it that you have so much to say today?" Jace smiled-a rare occurrence. "Normally, that's true. But when I see someone I dislike, I can't help but talk more."
Bella blinked slowly, her heart pounding harder. Hugh may not have been as cold and blunt as this, but he was straightforward and genuine, a trait she shared with this man.
né
Christopher's face darkened, and he let out a cold laugh. "Even if you disagree, it doesn't change anything. Bella and I will get married, and she will become my wife."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Jace responded.
Bella's eyes lit up, her heart swelling with hope. However, Jace's next words doused her hopes with cold water.
"Perhaps our boss will have that chance too."
Christopher's heart dropped, his
anxiety surging beneath his
He
m
composed exterior. Xie wasnafraid
of Justin or Bella's brothers coming after him, but he was terrified of Grant.
He was well aware of Grant's
methods. To this day, there wasm nothing Grant/wanted that he hadn't gotten.
"But our boss isn't as shameless, despicable, or vile as you are."