Ch. 2241..2250

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2241-The Department of Justice, where Axel worked, had officially received Christopher's case. Once the court accepted the case, they were expected to deliver the verdict within two months. Without any unexpected developments, the death penalty seemed inevitable.

On a gloomy day with a steady drizzle, a woman in a white lab coat and high heels walked calmly to the entrance of the detention center.

She held a black umbrella to shield herself from the rain.

"Dr. Amaryllis, we really appreciate you coming here despite the rain." The warden greeted her with a smile.

Lifting her umbrella, Clarice revealed her serene and elegant face and responded with a faint smile.

"Even prisoners deserve their rights. As a doctor, my duty is to heal patients, regardless of who they are."

The warden quickly agreed. "You're absolutely right."

With a slight curve of her eyes and a subtle tone, Clarice added, "Organizing a free clinic for the prisoners shows that you're a kind-hearted man, Warden."

After his meeting with Bella, Christopher surprisingly slept well for several days.

Someone broke his gold-rimmed glasses. So he discarded it.

After all, it was no longer necessary since he was no longer the esteemed Chairman Iverson. He was merely a condemned man awaiting his sentence.

Christopher no longer needed those superficial disguises.

Prisoners in his cell block were called one by one for a medical check-up until it was finally his turn.

Handcuffed, Christopher walked out of his cell and through winding corridors until a guard brought him into a sealed, dimly lit room.

The heavy iron door creaked shut behind him.

A sole desk lamp illuminated the entire room, casting a cold, solitary light.

Christopher narrowed his eyes slightly. "You…"

"It's been a while, Chairman Iverson."

With her back to him, Clarice slowly rose from her seat at the desk and turned to face Christopher. A faint, mocking smile played on her lips.

"Clarice…" Christopher's spine stiffened, and his heart sank heavily in his chest.

Clarice let out a soft, derisive chuckle. What's with that look? I've gone through all the trouble of coming here. I've seen all the stinky inmates just so I can see you. Aren't least bit moved?" Christopher's dry, pale lips trembled as he rasped hoarsely. "Did the Boss send you here to rescue me?"

Clarice blinked. She paused for a moment before bursting into a loud and uncontrollable laughter.

The sharp, maniacal sound echoed throughout the dark room, amplifying the atmosphere of hellish despair.

"Christopher, are you still clinging to the dream of walking away et scot-free? Have a few days in prison. turned your brain to mush?" Clarice crossed her arms, her laughter subsiding as her gaze fell on him with the disdain reserved for a worthless insect. "Even if I got you out, your body's ruined and the Iverson Group has collapsed. You're completely useless. What can you possibly offer the Boss now? He gave you plenty of chances. But in the end, you just weren't up to the task." Christopher lowered his eyes, a faint, bitter smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Perhaps, now that death was so near, he felt a strange attachment to the world he had once faced without fear.

"However, the Boss did send me here with a message for you." Clarice's eyes turned cold and emotionless as she delivered it mechanically. “He thanked you for your contributions to his business over the years. Your efforts will never be forgotten." With those words, she placed a syringe filled with a clear liquid on the table in front of him.

Christopher stared at it, his voice cracking. "So… The Boss sent you to silence me?"

"This isn't silencing. It's just crisis management." Clarice shrugged nonchalantly. "None of the Boss's men can fall into the police's hands. That's just the rule for anyone who works for him."

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2242-Christopher's shoulders trembled uncontrollably. His entire body seemed ready to shatter at the slightest touch.

"I don't even have much time left… Does the Boss even deny me this final moment?"

“Christopher, you should actually feel grateful." Clarice shook her head. "If the Boss hadn't saved you back then, you and your mother would have long disappeared in Sentania, unnoticed and unremarked. How could you have enjoyed your successes these past few years? The Boss gave you your life. Now that the Boss wants to reclaim it, you shouldn't harbor any complaints. This drug will stay in your system for 48 hours once injected. Think about it. You'll die peacefully in your sleep. It's far kinder than facing execution or dying from a sudden illness."

A few minutes later, Christopher slumped to the ground, his face ashen, having undergone an injection that felt like a cruel punishment despite its painless nature.

Clarice tucked away the syringe and slipped her hands into the pockets of her white coat. She cast one last disdainful glance at the man on the floor before walking toward the heavy iron door.

"Rosalind Gold!" Christopher suddenly called out another name.

Clarice's step faltered for a moment. However, she did not turn around. She spoke in a cold and dark voice. "Who are you calling? You must've made a mistake."

"Do you think you can get what you desire by just following the Boss like a ruthless killing machine and committing every atrocity?" Hunched over, Christopher let out a mocking laugh. "No matter how many faces you change, no matter how many times you start over… Justin's heart belongs only to Bella. He will never look at you! Let alone love you!"

"Is that so? Perhaps not." Clarice laughed, too. Her gaze was sharp like a blade ready to kill. "Besides, how would you know if I haven't already received what I wanted? Being by the Boss's side is exactly what I desire. I will only move forward and never look back."

After leaving the detention center, Clarice immediately drove back to her villa. She indulged in a long bath with aromatic oils, cleansing herself of the day's unpleasantness.

After drying her hair and donning a red silk robe, she pushed open the door and was startled.

"Ms. Amaryllis." Jace stood rigidly at the door, his expression emotionless as he looked at her. “Please come downstairs. Boss is waiting for you." Clarice bit her lip. "Alright, I'll freshen up and change my clothes…"

"There's no need for that. It doesn't matter whether you're dressed or not. What you're wearing doesn't matter to him either." Jace turned to leave. "Hurry up. The Boss doesn't like to wait."

Suppressing her frustration, Clarice followed him closely.

Downstairs, Grant lounged on the sofa, his elegant fingers pouring tea into a dainty cup.

"Boss, why did you come all the way here? I planned to shower, change, and then report to you." Clarice approached him gracefully, her eyes lingering on his refined, timeless features. "I know you value cleanliness. I couldn't meet you after Visiting such a filthy place without freshening up." Grant smiled faintly. “I just happened to pass by and thought I'd check in on you."

"I took care of everything. Christopher will suffer cardiac paralysis and die in 48 hours. With his already compromised organs, they won't find anything unusual even with an autopsy." Clarice's gaze darkened.

Grant nodded slightly. "You've worked hard, Clarice."

"I looked into it. Before I went to see Christopher, Ms. Thompson had visited him. The fact that she suspected you so quickly might mean Christopher told her something." Clarice's lips Curel into a cold smile. "Fortunately, you acted wisely and dealt with this potential threat." out ก "Christopher won't speak. It's not that he doesn't want to. He just fears me and doesn't dare to rat me out. Grant lifted his teacup, holding it near his nose to savor the aroma. "He never understood me. But saw through him completely. That's Where his fear comes from." Clarice did not understand this man either. However, she still felt relieved.

"Regardless, even though the experiment failed, the potential threat in Savrow is gone. You can relax now."

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2243-"No. Not yet."

Grant took a sip of tea. His gaze was dark and deep. It was like a hidden current in a deep abyss. "I think… Justin should be waking up soon. He has Ms. Thompson by his side, along with capable friends. This disaster may not be as unavoidable as I initially thought."

Clarice leaned in, lowering her voice. "So, you're suggesting that we…"

"I've heard that Ms. Thompson has a rather skilled brother-in-law, a specialist in neurology?"

Clarice blinked in surprise. "Are you referring to Arnold, the youngest son of the Larson family?"

Grant lowered his gaze and continued sipping his tea, his voice cold and detached. "That man cannot remain in Ms. Thompson's team, nor should he stay by my brother's side."

Grant's words piqued Jace's interest immediately. "Do you need me to take action against him?"

"We don't always have to kill someone to remove them."

Grant toyed with the teacup with his fingertips. A faint smile played on his lips. "Breaking his spirit will be just as effective."

After Gregory brought Justin back to Savrow, he secretly sent him to a top-tier private hospital for treatment.

Gregory strictly ordered that no one except his immediate family could visit Justin and especially emphasized barring the Thompsons from seeing him.

Every day, Bella would wait outside the hospital all day.

After heavy rain, the weather grew colder.

Bella stared up at the hospital, watching the windows glow softly in the night. She had no idea behind which one Justin lay peacefully asleep.

She blew warm air into her hands, which suffered from frostbite. Her cheeks and the tips of her ears tinged red from the cold.

"Ms. Bella, why don't you wait in the car? You've been standing out here for hours!" Steven handed her a steaming cup of coffee, his eyes filled with concern.

"Justin used to do the same thing. He used to wait outside my house for me, time and time again."

Bella's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her smile bittersweet. "This time, it's my turn to wait for him."

Steven lowered his head, unsure how to comfort her. Words felt hollow, completely inadequate.

He knew how badly she wanted to help Justin.

However, since she could not see him, she could do was wait. Įt agonizing, helpless whet filled with silent prayers. It felt like the hardships Justin faced while pursuing her were now repeating in her life.

Was she really destined to endure the same pain?

That seemed far too cruel for her.

Just then, Steven's phone rang. He quickly answered.

After a split second, his expression shifted in shock. He stared at Bella with wide eyes.

"Ms. Bella! Something terrible has happened! Christopher died suddenly in his cell from card arrest. By the time the guards found him, his body had already gone stiff." “What did you just say?!" Bella's pupils constricted in disbelief.

Cardiac arrest?

On Rose Island, he coughed up blood every day and still clung todife. How could he suddenly die within just days of returning to Savrow? It did not make sense! Before she could process the information, another call came in. It was Nigel.

"Grandpa Nigel!" Bella answered the call immediately. A cloud of anxious breath escaped her lips.

"Anna! Justin has woken up!"

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2244-Hearing that Justin had woken up, Bella burst into tears. Her slender body slowly crouched down as she curled into a ball, trembling in the cold wind. "Ms. Bella…" Steven's eyes reddened as he watched her from the side. He felt like his heart was about to shatter.

Ever since Justin fell into a coma, Bella had been living in a daze. Each day felt like an eternity.

Though she was still alive, the vibrant young lady, once as radiant as a rose with her lively, spirited gaze, had disappeared.

Bella carried immense weight on her shoulders. She constantly blamed herself and battled inner turmoil for the incident.

She was awake, yet slipping into madness.

"My dear, why are you crying? Justin woke up! You should be happy!" Nigel's voice came through the phone as he comforted Bella. He could not help but worry about her, too. "My dear, are you outside in this cold weather?"

"Grandpa Nigel… I'm outside the hospital." Bella choked between sobs, warm tears flowing through her fingers.

Nigel was both shocked and concerned. "You're still outside the hospital at this hour? Silly girl, what if you catch a cold?!"

"Grandpa Nigel… I want to see Justin… But… I can't get in…"

"You silly girl. With me here, who would dare to stop you?" Nigel's voice was strong and reassuring, instantly calming Bella. "Matt and I are on our way to the hospital now. Anna, don't freeze out there. Go and wait inside. I'll back you up when I get there. We'll see who dares bully my dear Anna!"

…

Less than half an hour later, Nigel arrived at the hospital, seated in a wheelchair, with Matt pushing him. They quickly met up with Bella and Steven. Together, they rushed to the VIP ward.

Outside the door, the Salvador family's bodyguards stood on high alert, but with the Old Master present, who would dare stop them? Each one of the bodyguards bowed respectfully as they entered.

"Justin! My dear grandson!" Nigel could not wait any longer. With Matt's help, he staggered out of his wheelchair and rushed to Justin's bedside. As he looked at his pale grandson, whose once bright eyes now appeared dim and lifeless, Nigel could not hold back his tears.

"Justin, I'm so glad you woke up! That's all that matters!" Gregory heaved a long sigh of relief.

Although he did not shed any tears, the worry had been gnawing at him for days, leaving him sleepless and exhausted, with dark circles beneath his eyes.

"Y-Young Madam!"

After being absent for some time, lan spotted Bella hesitating at the door, too afraid to enter the room. His voice caught in his throat as he ran over, tears welling up. "Mr. Salvador has woken up! Please come in and see him!" Before stepping into the room, Bella's heart had been pounding with the urgent desire to see Justin. She felt the longing would burst from her chest, shaking her to her core.

But now that she was here, an overwhelming weakness consumed her, leaving her unable to step forward.

She could not bring herself to face the Salvadors.

Their son had ended up in this condition because of her. Guilt and shame overwhelmed her. She felt utterly lost and had nowhere to hide.

"What do you mean by Young Madam? We don't have one in the Salvador family!" Gregory roared, his finger pointing directly at lan's face. "lan! If +ever hear you call her Young Madam again, you're out of the Salvador Corporation! Fired, permanently! I don't care whose favor you're trying to earn!" Biting down hard on his lip, lan tasted blood as it trickled from his lip, swallowing his frustration.

He did not care about losing his job, his million-dollar salary, or the prestige of being the CEO's chief secretary.

Right now with the eldest son suddenly back and Justin awakez though clearly in a weakened state, lan knew he had to stay by Justin's side. Even if it cost him his life, he could not leave his side! "Gregory, I've had enough of your nonsense!" Nigel shouted.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2245-Nigel trembled as he walked over to his son, his cheeks quivering in anger. "Today… I'm laying it down right here. As long as I'm still around, I want to see who dares lay a hand on Anna! I will personally deal with anyone who disrespects her!"

Gregory clutched his chest, his fury evident. "Dad! You're really…"

"Besides, now that Justin has woken up, this matter is over." Nigel's gaze was firm, filled with unwavering protectiveness. "From now on, if you so much as glare at Anna again, don't call me your father! I can't believe you're using your elderly status to bully a young girl. What an achievement!" Although Nigel did not slap Gregory, the sting of humiliation still burned across Gregory's cheeks. It was not that better off from getting a slap. “Anna, go on. Go and see Justin. Go on." Nigel gently urged Bella, his voice soft as he looked at Bella, whose eyes were red and puffy from crying. Steven also encouraged her. "Ms. Bella, you've been waiting for Mr. Salvador to wake up all this time. I'm sure he wants to see you, too. Go on." With trembling, frost-bitten fingers, Bella walked in slow, hesitant steps toward the bedside.

Justin, worn down by his long coma, looked thinner. However, his sharp, strong features only appeared more defined. His handsome face was as striking as ever.

He sat quietly against the headboard, his once bright and lively eyes now dim, void of their former brilliance. It was as if they were bottomless pools of darkness.

“Justin…” Bella sat by his side. However, as soon as she said his name, tears began streaming down her face uncontrollably.

Justin turned his gaze toward her, his expression blank as he watched her sob. He was eerily silent.

Bella's heart twisted painfully, a cold dread creeping through her entire body. Something was terribly wrong.

“Justin, what's wrong?!" Gregory, panic-stricken, rushed over and leaned close to his son's face. "Justin! Look at me! I'm your father!” "Justin, it's Grandpa!"

With Matt's support, Nigel shakily made his way over, his eyes brimming with tears. "Justin, vel Grandpa is here. Can't you recognize me anymore?!" Justin's hollow gaze landed on Nigel. His pale lips quivered as he whispered, "Grandpa…" Overwhelmed with emotion, Nigel cried out joyfully, "Ah! You remember me! That's all that matters!"

Justin then turned his eyes toward Gregory, his voice just as faint. "Dad…"

"My son!" Gregory could not hold back any longer and rushed forward, embracing his youngest son tightly.

It had been so long since he had last held him like this. The last time felt like a lifetime ago.

"Thank goodness, Mr. Salvador hasn't lost his memory!" Relieved lan stepped forward, his voice.

trembling as he added, "Mr.

Salvador, Young Madam is here to see you!" Just as Gregory was about to flare up, Nigel's sharp glance made him hold his tongue.

Justin's unfocused eyes slowly drifted back to Bella's face.

It was a face he had once engraved into his soul, a face he had deeply loved.

“B-Bella…?" Justin's dry lips parted, his voice hoarse and rough.

It was as if he was relearning how to speak.

"It's me… It's me! I'm Bella!" Bella's tightly wound heart finally relaxed She then wrapped her tear-soaked hands around his scarred, weathered hand. However, in the next moment, Justin furrowed his brow slightly and slowly pulled his hand out of her grasp.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2246-Bella's teary eyes widened as she stared at Justin in disbelief! She hung her head, staring blankly at her hands.

In the past, Justin would eagerly reach out and hold her hand.

They would kiss and cuddle, their fingers intertwined in a tight embrace. Justin would whisper soft promises in her ear, repeating over and over that no matter what, he vowed never to let go of her hand.

However, Justin was coldly pulling his hand away from hers.

In that moment, Bella felt an agonizing pain, as if her very bones were being ripped from her body.

When lan saw this, he was shocked, his face turning pale.

No one understood better than him how much Justin had loved Bella before the coma and how deeply they were in love.

But Justin, who had just regained consciousness, though unaffected by amnesia, seemed to have transformed into a different person altogether.

His attitude toward Nigel, Gregory, and even the woman he had once loved was shockingly cold and distant.

"Grandpa, Dad." Justin turned his indifferent gaze away from Bella's eyes and spoke in a low, weary tone, "I'm tired, and I'd like to rest for a while. Can everyone please leave the room?"

Gregory was briefly taken aback for a moment.

Unlike Justin's more sensitive and graceful elder brother, Justin had always been aloof and reserved from a young age. He had always been distant and cold to the people around him, never openly expressing his feelings to others.

However, after regaining consciousness, his personality seemed to have become even colder and more isolated than before.

Gregory nodded. "Alright, alright. You rest well. We'll come see you once you're rested."

Justin did not say a word. He just rolled over onto his side, turning his back to everyone in the room and shutting himself off from the world, even from Bella.

After leaving the ward, Bella ran frantically to Arnold's office.

Although Gregory had forbidden the Thompson family from visiting, Arnold was an internationally renowned neurosurgeon and had been asked by the Salvador family to continue treating Justin.

"Arnold… Why has Justin become like this?!" Bella could barely get the words out between sobs. "He didn't lose his memory; he still remembers me, but he's changed so much… Why is this happening?!"

Arnold held the latest MRI scans and frowned deeply. “Justin's amygdala has suffered severe damage. That's the part of the brain responsible for emotions and feelings. That's why Justin seems so cold and indifferent to everyone because he can't process emotions. It's like a phone cut off from all signals. He's locked himself inside a sealed space, refusing to connect with anyone."

Bella's mind raced, overwhelmed by the devastating news. Shaking, she asked, "So how is this going to affect his life?"

ne "In terms of daily life, not much. He can continue working, perhaps even more efficiently than before, as he's free of distractions and can concentrate better." Arnold couldn't bring himself to look at her, his gaze fixed on the scan. "But… He's lost the ability to care for or love anyone." Bella's heart sank as she asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"He's incapable of love now. In his mind, it's all about himself." Arnold took a deep breath, his eyes welling up with tears. "To him, his family friends, even you-you're all the same. He remembers you, but that's all you are to him, just memories. Nothing more." "How could that be? He hasn't forgotten me. He still holds onto our memories of being in love!" Bella's voice cracked with desperation, her throat raw from crying.

"But his emotions can't respond.

Even if he once in members that you were once in love, what does that change?Arnold looked at Bella and told her the blunt reality, "Bella, memories are just recollections. For someone with emotional disabilities, memories have no real significance." He did not want to sugarcoat it for her. Sometimes, a quick, direct approach is better than a prolonged, painful one.

However, Bella could not accept it, crying as she asked, "Is there absolutely no way to revive his feelings? I won't believe there's no hope!"

"I'll try hypnotherapy in the future. But it's not a guaranteed solution. There's only a 50% chance of success, and we have to proceed with caution, or he could suffer a mental breakdown. There's also electroshock therapy. A strong electrical shock might help."

Bella shook her head firmly. "No… I know about electroshock therapy. It's really tough, both physically and mentally. He had depression as a child and tried it once after coming back from the army to treat his PTSD. I can't let Justin go through that again."

Arnold thought for a moment, then his face lit up. "What if we try stimulating his emotions? Like, getting him really angry, or super sad, or just shocking him. That might help bring his feelings back."

It was an idea, but where would they find a situation like that?

"Bella, I'm telling you this not to discourage you, but to get you ready for the worst." Arnold stood up and gently hugged her. "You're the strongest girl I've ever met. Just take your time, and Justin will get better; I'm sure of it."

After leaving Arnold's office, Bella aimlessly wandered around, feeling lost and empty inside. She did not know where to go.

In a daze, she ended up on a balcony, gazing up at the dark night sky. Memories of her happy times with Justin flooded her mind, one by one.

They had been so deeply in love before. But now, the cruelty of their situation was unbearable.

Bella had tried to keep her emotions under control, determined to face everything bravely. Yet, as she dwelled on her thoughts alone, her heart ached more and more.

Once again, she buried her face in her hands and quietly sobbed.

Suddenly, Bella felt a gentle hand pat her arm.

Startled, she quickly wiped her tears and looked down to see a clean handkerchief being offered to her by a slender, fair hand.

"Ms. Thompson, don't cry. Take care of your eyes," Grant said kindly, sitting in his wheelchair with a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2247-This man, despite his physical flaws, displayed a gentle, refined, and calm demeanor. Grant never wallowed in self-pity or blamed others for his misfortune. But Bella instinctively did not want to be close to him. Even standing next to him made her feel suffocated.

It was an inexplicable feeling, hard to put into words.

"No, I'm fine, thank you," Bella said, raising her arm and wiping the tears from her cheek with her sleeve.

She recalled how, in the past, she would often cry in front of Justin, tears and snot streaking down her face, shattering her usual composure. However, Justin never offered her a handkerchief like this man did. Instead, she would just wipe her tears all over Justin's collar and tie, leaving the usually refined and tidy nobleman looking disheveled because of her.

Yet he would still gently comfort her, kiss her red nose, and hold her close.

Grant tucked the handkerchief back into his pocket, speaking softly. "Justin has regained consciousness, but I've heard his brain injury has altered his personality. I'm afraid even if I found the right medicine, it wouldn't fix the problem. Ms. Thompson, just give him some more time. He'll gradually get better."

"I don't care how he's changed." Bella smiled with a mix of optimism and determination, her eyes brimming with tears. "I'm still young, and time will help him improve. Will a lifetime be enough for that?"

Grant's eyes darkened slightly, but he sighed deeply from his heart. "In my whole life, I've never been jealous of anyone, except Justin."

Bella looked at him again.

He leaned in slightly, a faint, cold scent surrounding her as he said in a low, deep voice, "Because… He has you."

During the drive back from the hospital, Grant's normally poised and composed manner appeared to change, leaving Clarice, who sat beside him, feeling uneasy.

The air in the car felt stifling, making it difficult for her to breathe comfortably.

"Sir, what's wrong?" Clarice's voice was gentle and cautious. "Justin woke up, and he's indeed like a different person, no longer treating Bella as he once did. Isn't all of this within your plans? What you want is to make Justin lose everything, to turn him into nothing more than a useless figure within the Salvador family, so that you can completely rise above him, right?"

Grant looked out the window with a cool, detached expression, his eyes dark and piercing like a blade. "But I believe, even if he loses everything, there's one thing that will never leave him."

Clarice asked, "What's that?"

"Bella's love for him."

"Hmm, from what I see, it's only a matter of time. No woman can endure being treated with such cold indifference day after day. The human heart is fragile, and who you keep jabbing at it, that over once passionate heart will end up full of holes, drained of all its warmth. How could she possibly hold on?" Clarice's voice was cold, as if she had lost her humanity.

"Back then, Bella secretly married Justin, carrying the heavy burden of pressure and enduring the bitterness. from Shannon and her daughter. Her husband was cold and indifferent and she even lost a child. In the end, when his first love returned, didn't she leave Justin in shame? That was only after three years. So rest assured, their fate has only two outcomes. They will either part ways in life or in death."

Clarice brushed off the painful three years Bella had endured as if it were nothing more than a brief moment.

"Once Arnold is out of the way, I'll set you up to get close to my brother," Grant said.

Clarice had always known this was the plan, but the idea of actually putting it into motion still made her feel uneasy.

“Sir, Justin hasn't lost his memory; he has emotional dysfunction. He doesn't care about Bella anymore, so why would he pay any attention to me, a stranger? He'll probably resist my presence.” "I never intended for you to make him fall in love with you. Since he's lost his ability to love Bella, he won't love you either. But your preserice will at the very least, make Bella give up on him completely." Clarice hesitated. "Will it really work…?"

"Do you think Justin's first love was Rosalind?"

Grant closed his eyes slightly, his clear face shrouded in a mysterious allure.

…

After finally getting permission from Grandpa Nigel, Bella could not bear to leave the hospital. Instead, she quietly stayed outside Justin's room.

She was lost, unsure how to awaken the love they once shared.

But she knew that if she gave up in despair, there would be no hope left for them.

She wanted Justin to live well.

And more than that, she wanted them to love each other as they once did, to grow old together.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2248-Bella couldn't waste any time, so she reached out to Ralph. "Ralph, have you conducted an autopsy on Christopher?"

"We have. It was cardiac arrest. But the forensic examiner said this heart arrest wasn't from an existing condition. It was caused by an overdose of injected drugs," Ralph replied.

Bella's suspicions grew, and she spoke softly. "Christopher used to take all sorts of drugs at Rose Island to stay alert, but they never caused him any issues. Yet now, after being in detention for over half a month without access to drugs or injections, he suddenly dies? Doesn't that seem really odd to you?"

Ralph was equally suspicious and said, "We can speculate all we want, but without concrete evidence, we can't do anything… Apart from you, did he meet with anyone else recently?"

"His family has vanished entirely. Who else could have visited him? Look into everyone who interacted with him. Don't overlook even a janitor; investigate them all!" Bella took a deep breath, her swollen eyes sharpening with focus. "Ralph, don't you recall? When James was detained before, he was killed swiftly. That death was even more brutal. It was clearly a murder!

"This time, the culprit was more discreet, doing it subtly and quietly. They may have even injected him while he was sleeping. So look into all the inmates he shared a cell with-anyone who interacted with him. Their identities, backgrounds, and financial records-investigate them thoroughly!"

"Yes, that's exactly what I plan to do." Suddenly, Ralph fell silent for a moment before asking softly, "Bella, are you okay?"

"I'm great, really great." Bella held back her tears, forcing a smile. "Justin has just regained consciousness. As long as he's okay, I'm okay too."

"Stop lying. We all know there's something wrong with Justin's brain." Ralph sighed deeply, his tone heavy with concern. "Bella, I'm going to say something you won't like to hear. If Justin's brain never fully recovers, I don't think you two should keep forcing yourselves to stay together.

"He's in even worse condition now than he was three years ago. Back then, he simply didn't understand love. But now, he's straight-up incapable of it! You and Justin haven't even officially married yet. You don't have to waste your whole life waiting around for him. At the end of the day, it's better to go your separate ways peacefully than to stick it out in a relationship that's nothing but mutual suffering. Won't it be better for you both to just live your lives apart from now on?"

Better? Could it really be better?

Justin had lost the ability to love, but Bella felt like her own heart had been carved out.

"This won't last forever, Ralph. Arnold said Justin has a chance of getting his emotions back."

Bella's determination was unwavering, like an unstoppable force. "Don't worry, I won't do anything reckless. If he's forgotten how to love, I'll teach him what it means, bit by bit."

Ralph knew there was no changing her mind. Bella had the freedom to be stubborn and the privilege to make mistakes over and over. They just needed to be her unwavering support.

Everything else was beyond their control and not something they could interfere with. So, they would just let her be.

Bella had drifted off to sleep, nestled in a chair in the chilly hospital corridor, her arms folded around herself. She experienced a string of unsettling dreams where she watched Justin walk away from her without looking back. Desperate, she ran after him through the darkness, repeatedly calling out to him.

Suddenly, Justin vanished from sight.

The ground under her feet also disappeared, transforming into a terrifying abyss.

A taunting voice echoed, "Jump down. Justin is right below. Go on, jump. Do you dare? No, you don't dare."

Bella's eyes filled with tears, her blood running cold. But in the end, she gathered her courage and defiantly shouted, "I'll jump!"

Thud!

Her sleeptalking cry echoed through the empty corridor, and she tumbled off the chair in her sleep.

The pain woke her up.

Bella was drenched in cold sweat, and the ache in her body was so intense that she could not straighten her back, letting out a faint groan of pain.

Struggling, Bella turned over and blinked through her tear-filled eyes. In that instant, her pupils shrunk dramatically.

There, standing beside her in a hospital gown, was Justin. His tall, solid frame hovered over her, his face completely devoid of emotion as he looked down at her.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2249-Their eyes met. Bella's red eyes slowly filled with tears of both excitement and sorrow.

Did Justin know she had been watching over him all this time? If he had come to realize that, did it mean he still had feelings for her? Was she still special to him?

Bella's soft lips parted slightly, her nose tinged with red, as she lay on the ground gazing up at him. Her voice was small, filled with grievance and innocence. "Justin Justin..

Justin's eyes darkened. He looked at her in silence for a long moment before speaking in a raspy voice. "Why are you still here?"

A single, delicate tear glistened on the edge of Bella's eye.

When she tried to speak, all that came out was a quiet sob, as if the words had abandoned her, leaving her helplessly whimpering.

Justin frowned as he watched the tears streaming down her face. "You've been talking nonstop. You woke me up."

"I-I'm sorry…" Bella sobbed, apologizing to him.

She used to be so confident and bold, often causing a fuss in front of him. Now, she was timid and fragile, evoking a deep sense of sorrow.

"Forget it." Justin saw that Bella had collapsed and could not get up on her own. But he could not just leave her there like that.

Justin might not have feelings for her anymore, but he was not heartless. Even if he had forgotten how caring he used to be and how deeply he had loved this woman with an unshakable devotion, he still decided to help her.

So he bent down and scooped up her disheveled form, cradling her in his arms.

"No…!" Bella was mindful of the gunshot wound on his left shoulder, which had only just begun to heal. He should not be exerting himself like this.

"What, do you want to lay here all night?" Justin's left arm throbbed with pain, but he ignored it. He carried Bella into the hospital room. "You can lay there if you want, but I'm ready to get some sleep. I've never met a woman as noisy as you."

Justin had always been cold and indifferent. His emotional distance made him even more blunt than most people.

When they were first married, Justin's sharp words would often leave Bella sulking, too afraid to argue back and risk angering him, so she kept her resentment bottled up.

But Bella was no longer the timid woman she once was.

Gathering her courage, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her blinking almond eyes were soft and enchanting "Oh, it seems like you've had quite a few women in your bed before, huh?"

"I haven't." Justin frowned, refusing to look at her. "But I bet no other woman is as loud as you."

Bella pouted, yet a faint smile flickered across her face amid her tears.

Justin had intended to lay her on the sofa, but it was too firm, and she had hurt her back, so that would have been uncomfortable. In the end, he gently settled her on the bed.

"Let go," Justin said coldly.

She clung tightly to his neck, leaving him hunched awkwardly on the edge of the bed, his tall frame looking out of place.

The storm of emotions he had suppressed for days finally began to break free at that moment.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2250-Bella was never one to back down.

Just as Justin was about to pull Bella's arms away, she gritted her teeth, ignoring the pain, and pressed her soft, warm body against his firm chest.

Her trembling lips landed on his, kissing him deeply.

Justin was taken aback by Bella's sudden, passionate kiss, his body momentarily freezing in a daze.

Though he recalled their past as lovers, those gut-wrenching memories now held no significance for him. He could no longer muster up any feelings of love for her.

Yet he had to admit that he did not hate the kiss.

Seeing that he was still, Bella grew bolder. She knelt on the bed, cupping his sharply defined face, kissing him more passionately-nibbling, sucking, teasing.

They were both still learning when it came to intimacy, especially Justin, who had a natural talent for picking up new skills.

He took the time to discover all of Bella's sensitive spots, and through their encounters, he learned exactly how to please her and drive her wild. Likewise, Bella knew just how to push Justin's buttons, biting his neck or shoulders always drove him crazy.

Determined to turn him on, Bella let go of her pride and self-restraint. She no longer held back.

However, Justin remained steadfast, his expression frigid, like a statue disconnected from emotion and longing.

Growing increasingly anxious, Bella kissed the bridge of his nose, then boldly moved to his throat. Just as she was about to kiss his Adam's apple, he firmly pushed her away.

"Bella," Justin said.

Bella bit her lip, her eyes shimmering with tears that made them look like dewy droplets, soft and captivating.

"I know we were once lovers. After you all left, Grandpa told me about what happened between us." Justin lowered his gaze, avoiding her pitiful eyes. "But I'm sorry. Even though I may have loved you deeply before, I can't love you anymore."

Bella's heart ached so much that she could barely stand up straight. Yet she somehow steadied herself, even as the tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, as if her tear ducts had given out.

She realized then that she had once uttered those same words to Justin.

Only now did she understand how utterly devastating they could be. It was far worse than simply stating, "I never loved you."

What hurt more than never having someone was losing them after having them.

"What I mean is, you shouldn't waste your time on me." Justin looked at her again, her fragile and seemingly scarred face. He was not sure why, but he could not bear to stare at her for too long, so his words came out rushed. "I'm not worth it. You, on the other hand, come from a good family; you're talented and beautiful. You've got plenty of admirers. You should find someone who loves you. There's no point in clinging to something that's already gone."

With that, he got up to leave.

Bella's eyes turned red as she grabbed him fiercely, her fingers digging into his flesh. "Then… Let's start over." Justin turned his head in surprise, meeting her eyes, which now shone with unwavering determination.

He had thought that, with her noble background and strong sense of pride, she would never be able to endure such coldness and indifference from a man.

Yet he had forgotten. His Bella never backed down or admitted defeat.

"Hey there, Justin. I'm Bella." Her hand trailed down his arm, inch by inch, until their fingers intertwined. She tilted her head slightly, holding back the tears in her eyes. "I know you don't love me back, but I'll always love you, no matter what."

With that, she let go of his hand, which had frozen in place. Without hesitating for a second, she hopped off the bed and, despite the pain in her waist, walked out of the hospital room step by step.

Justin stood there, dazed. After a while, he lowered his head and stared at his palm, slowly curling his fingers into a fist.