Ch. 2281..2290

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2281-The next morning, Justin suddenly woke up from his sleep. For some reason, he was drenched in cold sweat.

His breathing was labored as he reached for his phone, squinting to check the screen. It showed over twenty missed calls from Nigel.

Ever since being discharged from the hospital, Justin had been dealing with lingering side effects. His head would ache every night, and he had not gotten a full night's sleep in three or four days.

Last night, he felt like he could not take it anymore, so he took some sleeping pills and slept through the night until morning.

Rubbing his throbbing temples, Justin got up and was about to return Nigel's call when he heard lan's voice outside the door.

"Mr. Salvador, are you awake?"

"What is it?"

"Your grandfather is here and requests to speak with you downstairs."

After freshening up, Justin dressed in a tailored black suit and made his way to the living room while dialing Arnold's number on his phone.

Despite the unpleasant way his last meeting with Amold had ended at the hospital, with Arnold slapping him and storming off, Justin remained unfazed.

Perhaps due to his emotional distance, he was only concerned with regaining his health enough to resume normal functioning at work.

However, after three attempts to call Arnold, it remained off. Justin frowned slightly and put his phone away. In the living room, Gregory and Nigel were already there, and the air seemed tense.

"Grandpa, Dad," Justin greeted them, his deep black eyes shifting toward Nigel "Grandpa, have you been looking for me? What's the matter?"

Nigel was extremely anxious and exclaimed, "Justin, something has happened to Bella!"

Justin's expression remained indifferent, showing no trace of emotion. "What happened to Ms. Thompson?" "She was in a car accident. You need to come with me to the hospital immediately and see how she's doing!" Nigel was anxious and had barely slept all night, the dark circles under his eyes betraying his exhaustion.

Ian, standing nearby, turned pale with fear. His young madam, Bella, was a skilled driver, practically a racecar goddess. It was unfathomable that she would be in a car accident.

She was clearly in a fragile emotional state, consumed by her feelings for him. Ever since he left, her life had descended into chaos.

"Is she badly injured?" Justin asked. His deep and enigmatic gaze wavered slightly, though it was fleeting.

"I called Chairman Thompson. Bella made it through surgery and is awake now. But I heard her car completely flipped over. Her body is so delicate-can she withstand such trauma? You must come with me now to check on her!"

"She has several brothers and her family around her. She doesn't need me." Justin's voice lowered as he looked down. "Besides, given my current status, visiting her wouldn't be appropriate."

When lan heard this, his face grew even paler, his heart sinking.

"Justin! What nonsense are you spouting? That's Bella! The girl you cherished so much that you cried in front of me, begging her to come back to you! How can you be so heartless now? You're breaking my heart!"

Nigel's eyes turned red with anger, and he slammed his cane hard against the floor. "Are you so sick in the head that you've lost all humanity? Bella has sacrificed so much for you, yet you won't even visit her? Do you still call yourself a man?"

Justin felt his chest tighten. His expression was distant and cold as he responded, "Grandpa, Bella and I have ended our relationship. Continuing to hold onto the past will only cause her more pain."

Just as Nigel was about to respond, Gregory chimed in coldly, "Dad, let them go their separate ways. I don't see why that's such a problem."

Nigel's face turned red with anger. "You-!"

Gregory continued, "In the past, they loved each other and went through a lot together. I didn't have anything to say about it back then. But now that Justin no longer loves Ms. Thompson, why must you make him suffer? You can't force someone to feel affection if it's not there anymore."

Gregory took a deep breath, his gaze firm. "Moreover, I think Ms. Thompson never truly loved Justin as much as you think. Maybe she loved him, but I believe she loved herself even more. If she truly cared for him, how could she allow him to repeatedly put his life in danger? How could she bear to see him face such risks without thinking about the fact that he, too, has a family who worries about him? What would we do if something happened to him? Has she ever spared a thought for that?"

"You… Ah!" Nigel was at a loss for words, his nose stinging and throat tightening. Perhaps his old age had slowed his reactions, but this was the first time he could not find the right thing to say Meanwhile, Justin stood tall and proud, like an unmovable mountain, his demeanor cold and distant. Yet as he took in the words, something deep within him stirred painfully, his fingers curling slightly at his sides.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2282-Nigel sank onto the couch, disheartened by Justin's cold expression. 'How could everything have gone back to square one like this?' Even he could not bear this outcome. How could Bella possibly cope with it?

Gregory said, "Justin, you have a meeting in the morning. You should get going."

Justin remained stoic, turning and leaving the room without a word.

Bella was still in recovery, having slept in a hazy daze all morning. She had not eaten breakfast or lunch, and it was not until the afternoon that she slowly woke up.

When she saw her brothers, Asher, Axel, and Ralph, by her side, it brought a touch of warmth to her heart, casing the chill left by Justin.

"Bella, are you feeling any better?" Asher's voice was raspy as he tenderly clasped her frail, bony hand.

Gazing at her eldest brother's once-dashing features, now seemingly aged overnight, Bella felt a sharp pain in her heart.

"Ash, what about you? Are you alright?" Bella asked gently.

"I'm doing okay," Asher said as he forced a stiff smile. But he was not fine at all. He was in terrible shape.

"Ash, leave this to us. You should book a flight to the Meridan and bring Arnold back!" Axel pressed a large hand on Asher's shoulder. "Both of you love each other so much. After everything you've been through, I don't believe a few words from outsiders could tear you apart!

Asher closed his heavy eyelids and shook his head.

He knew too well that the mistake he made this time was unforgivable. Arnold, who had always been so proud, had gone as far as self-harm to break things off with him, completely severing their ties.

Could he really win Arnold back?

Bella noticed the turmoil in her eldest brother and gently persuaded him. "Let Amold have some time to himself. Sometimes, pushing too hard can backfire."

Feeling the uneasy atmosphere, Ralph decided to change the topic.

"Bella, I've already sent that cigarette butt off to the forensics team, and they're going to run a DNA test on it. We should get the results back in a few days."

The hospital could only compare blood samples for DNA but could not analyze physical evidence. Fortunately, the Thompson siblings were influential in their respective fields.

"That's great! As soon as the results come out, we'll finally know if Jace is really our brother!" Bella's heart filled with hope-the first real happiness she had felt in some time.

Neither Asher nor Axel had met Jace before, so they did not know the resemblance between Jace and Hugh But Ralph was overcome with emotion. "If… If Hugh is truly alive, then our family will be complete again!"

Tears filled Bella's eyes as she nodded in agreement.

Axel asked anxiously, *But… If the man you're talking about really is Hugh, how did he survive? Also, why is he tied up with Christopher? Why doesn't he remember a single thing about Bella? Hugh was such a pure- hearted and kind person. Even if he lost his memory in the accident, how could he seem like an entirely different person without a trace of his former self?"

His words sent Bella into deep thought. 'If Jace was indeed their fifth brother, even with memory loss, why had his personality changed so drastically?' Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Axel quickly walked over and opened it, but the moment he saw who it was, he could not hide his displeasure. "Mr. Salvador?"

"Mr. Axel." Seated in a wheelchair, Grant had a thermos on his lap. He lifted his chin slightly and smiled at him. "Is Ms. Thompson awake?"

Axel's eyes flickered with a hint of wariness. "What do you want?"

The man smiled politely, but there was no warmth in his expression. "I brought some homemade soup and side dishes. They're light and nourishing, perfect for her recovery."

"That's not necessary. My sister-"

To Axel's surprise, Bella's soft voice interrupted him. 'Is that Mr. Salvador? Let him in."

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2283-The three brothers were all taken aback.

Bella's expression was softer than usual, and her tone had a noticeable gentleness to it. That usual coolness and distance that kept most men, aside from her brothers and Justin, at arm's length was gone.

Did this car accident lead their little sister to a profound realization that she changed her personality?

Axel gritted his teeth and had no choice but to let the man in.

"Thank you." Grant's smile was as warm and gentle as a spring breeze. He maneuvered his electric wheelchair to Bella's bedside and placed the thermos in front of her bed.

Bella pressed her pale lips together. "Mr. Salvador, I appreciate your effort, but I'm not really hungry right now." Grant's clear, graceful eyes softened with a gentle glow, and he said with a smile, "You skipped breakfast and lunch. Are you really not hungry?"

Bella's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?"

"I've been staying in the room next to yours, waiting for you to wake up." Grant chuckled softly, somewhat embarrassed. "I know you have plenty of people to take care of you. I stayed for the convenience of my follow- up exams and to offer you extra support."

He continued, "Tve already arranged for the best doctors in the country to gather in Savrow for a consultation to ensure you recover fully. You won't have to worry about any long-term complications in the future." The Thompson brothers glanced at each other.

Upon hearing this, Bella replied in a calm tone, "Thank you, but I don't think that's necessary. I am a doctor myself, after all."

"I know, Ms. Thompson. You're the famous Dr. Brown in the surgical world. But as the saying goes, even doctors can't heal themselves."

Grant's lips curled into a relaxed smile, his deep voice both captivating and persuasive. "Ms. Thompson, I know you're incredibly capable and independent-a true goddess in your field. But even someone as strong as you needs to take a break now and then. You should give others a chance to help you and not push yourself too hard. You're exhausted. So why not take advantage of this time in the hospital to rest and not think about anything else? Is that alright?"

Bella's long eyelashes fluttered, and she caught the underlying meaning in his words.

An ordinary woman might have easily been won over by Grant's gentle care and impeccable sense of propriety, but Bella was strong-willed.

His demeanor, while affable, was perfectly measured-not overly attentive nor too cautious. His gestures of goodwill were just right, making people feel comfortable and subconsciously want to get closer.

In a moment of daze, Bella was reminded of Christopher.

To win her over, Christopher had initially approached as a friend, gradually revealing his intentions. Each time he made his move, he gave himself a reasonable, even irrefutable, excuse.

In some ways, Grant's and Christopher's methods were similar.

However, Christopher had ultimately lost his patience. His impatience and ambition led him to hurt her repeatedly, even targeting the people around her.

But Grant was far too mysterious. Bella knew almost nothing about him.

Thus, the only viable strategy was to get closer to him and blend into his world.

"Ash, you guys should leave for now." Bella took a deep breath, her expression showing no hint of weakness. The three Thompson brothers had no choice but to leave the room.

Outside the door, Ralph rubbed the back of his neck anxiously. "Something's different between our little sister and Grant. Has she ever spoken so gently to any man besides Justin?"

"Damn it! What I feared most is happening! Axel muttered, massaging his temples in frustration. "Now that Justin and Bella have broken up, Bella is in her most vulnerable state. This is the time when she needs someone by her side the most. Grant is swooping in right now, so he's got a good chance of winning her over! If Bella lets her guard down for even a moment, Justin won't stand a chance anymore!*

Ralph's heart pounded, and his eyes widened. "That can't be! Bella is crazy about Justin. After everything they've been through, could some random man just waltz in and replace him?"

"Why not?" Asher's eyes were dark and brooding as he leaned against the wall, his tall frame carrying an air of defeat. "Feelings, no matter how deep, can wear thin over time if they're met with coldness and indifference Eventually, they fade, and you let them go. Back then, Bella loved Justin dearly, but in the end, she still made up her mind to divorce him, didn't she?" Only The other two brothers knew that Asher had just gone through the pain of a breakup, so his thoughts were understandably pessimistic.

Ralph broke the tension with his sudden remark, "Ahem… To be fair, Grant doesn't seem like the type to have improper thoughts on Bella. I mean, look at him! His body's been weakened by years of medication, and he's in a wheelchair. I'm not sure if he can even get 'it' up.."

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2284-"Is Grant capable in bed? Our little sister has been spoiled by Justin in that regard. Can she tolerate a man with erectile dysfunction?"

Asher was speechless. "Grant may have some health concerns, but he's still a fully functioning man."

Axel rolled his eyes at him. "Besides, my wife has a saying."

Ralph asked, "What?"

"The way to test if a man is lustful is to check his breath. If he's still breathing, it means he's lustful."

Asher and Ralph were left speechless.

"So, even if Grant is bound to a wheelchair, how could he not be tempted? Bella is so exceptional and beautiful I don't believe it!"

In the hospital room, Grant opened the thermos and poured out a small bowl of warm soup. He even set aside a few delicate side dishes on the bedside table.

Bella smiled halfheartedly. "Thank you, but I really don't have much of an appetite right now."

Grant said nothing, simply offering the bowl of soup to her.

The familiar, fragrant scent filled Bella's nose, and her eyes suddenly brightened.

"This… This is…"

"Made by Wilma herself. She prepared all these." Grant's smile was as gentle as ever. "So, are you feeling a bit hungry now?"

Bella's heart trembled slightly, her voice a little hoarse. "How did you-"

"Don't forget, I'm also from the Salvador family. I grew up in Tideview Manor. Wilma was hired as my nanny, but when Justin and his mother arrived, my father arranged for her to take care of Justin."

Grant patiently held the bowl of soup, his gaze sincere. "So, Wilma didn't just watch Justin grow up; she watched me grow up too. Asking her to make you a bowl of porridge is still something I can manage."

Bella stared at him with her wide, dark eyes, not blinking.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have troubled her. After all, she's Justin's nanny, and she took care of you for a long time. You two are close." Grant was sharp enough to understand her emotions immediately. "Don't worry, there won't be a next time."

For some reason, although he had not done anything wrong, the more he spoke humbly, the more anxious Bella felt inside.

Bella forced down the swirling emotions within and slowly lifted her hand to take the bowl. But her body was still weak, and as soon as she took the bowl, her hand quivered uncontrollably.

At the moment when the bowl almost slipped, Grant quickly steadied her hand. The cool touch of his palm against her skin made her shiver involuntarily.

Suddenly, she thought of Justin.

Justin had big, calloused hands, but they always felt warm to the touch. She loved holding his hands endlessly, especially in winter when they became her personal heaters. But that warmth was gone…

Bella's eyes filled with tears, turning red as her chest tightened painfully.

Grant observed her closely, his eyes narrowing slightly. Without saying a word, he took the spoon, scooped up some soup, and brought it to her trembling lips. "Just think of me as your nurse. Don't overthink it and focus on getting better."

Bella took a deep breath, clenching the fabric of her pants beneath the covers.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

Grant did not take his eyes off her as he calmly called out, "Come in."

The door opened, and the familiar, steady footsteps slowly approached, step by step, entering the room.

Each footstep seemed to echo in Bella's soft, trembling heart.

Soon, Justin came to view in front of her, entering the room while holding a bouquet of lilies.

However, Bella calmly looked away, leaning slightly forward as she sipped the spoonful of soup Grant offered her.

Justin froze, his hand tightening unconsciously around the bouquet. A wave of indescribable emotion clogged his throat.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2285-"Justin? You're here," Grant said, surprise etched on his face as his hand holding the bowl froze mid-air.

Justin slowly snapped out of his trance and greeted him, "Hey, Grant."

"Now that Justin is here, it's not appropriate for me to stay any longer." Grant gently put down the bowl and smiled warmly at Bella. "Ms. Thompson, make sure you eat and take care of yourself. I won't disturb you further. I'll take my leave."

"No!" Bella hurriedly grabbed Grant's arm, trying to hide her distressed expression. "Wait until I'm done eating before you leave."

"But…"

"I don't see what's inappropriate with you staying when Mr. Justin is here." Bella abruptly turned to look at Justin, who was standing rigidly.

She curled her lips into a smile, her long-lost brightness stabbing at Justin's eyes. "Mr. Justin, meeting your own brother shouldn't feel inappropriate, right?"

Justin's lips moved slightly. "No, it's not."

Bella smiled faintly. "Good."

They had once loved each other deeply. But now, they were more distant than a divorced couple.

Justin's chest tightened as he approached her, handing over a bouquet of lilies. His voice was low, his expression unreadable. "Grandpa asked me to come and visit you."

Bella looked down and took the bouquet from Justin's hands, but in the next instant, she angrily hurled the flowers at his feet, her eyes blazing with fury. "Get lost!"

Justin's jaw tightened as he stood there silently.

His eyes narrowed a bit as he bent down to pick up the flowers, but Bella's cold voice cut through the air above him. "Take your flowers and get out of my sight right now!"

Justin felt a jolt of pain in his chest as he looked down at the lilies on the floor, his body quivering slightly. He felt as if his heart was pierced, and blood was trickling down his wound. His once full and vibrant heart was slowly crumbling, and no matter how hard he tried, he could not fully open it up again.

"Ms. Thompson, please take care of yourself." Grant noticed the sheen of sweat on Bella's forehead and her flushed cheeks. His brows furrowed slightly as he advised her in a low voice.

"It was you who said you couldn't love me, and it was you who asked to break up! Then you should follow through and vanish from my life!" Bella panted, her voice hoarse with anger, her eyes bloodshot.

She continued to yell, "Why do you pretend to care no? Do you think I need your sympathy?! Justin… Do you think I'm an idiot? You abandoned me once two years ago, and now this is the second time… Do you really think I want to see your face again? Do you think that without you, my life will fall apart? Did you come here just to see how miserable I've become, to laugh at me?!"

Endless pain, heartache, and grievances surged out of her like molten lava. It hurt so much that even though every word was insincere, her performance was flawless, striking straight at Justin's heart.

"Bella…" Justin's voice was hoarse as he called her name. But it was as if a thousand nails were lodged in his throat, preventing him from uttering another word.

Originally, he had refused Nigel's request to visit her. But in the end, driven by his subconscious, he changed his mind, ordered the flowers, and came to see her.

"You should remember that I like roses, right?" As she spoke, tears of grievance spilled from the corners of Bella's eyes. "You know very well that I've always loved roses, yet you deliberately brought me lilies. Justin, I no longer matter to you, so why force yourself? It's hard for you, and I hate it too. If we're going to break up, then let's cut ties cleanly."

Bella had always been proud and resolute, always moving forward and never looking back.

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2286-The only time Bella softened her heart without hesitation was for him.

Justin's handsome face paled, and his star-like eyes were clouded with complex emotions-dark, conflicted.

With a deep gaze, Grant bent down to pick up the bouquet from the floor. Maneuvering his wheelchair to the coffee table, he carefully placed the lilies into the vase, one by one.

"Throwing these flowers away would be a shame. They're still quite beautiful," Grant said with his back to the two, his lips curling into an unreadable smile.

Seeing Bella close her eyes, Justin's voice turned hoarse. "Get some good rest."Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

After speaking, he turned and walked toward the door, his steps mechanical.

"Justin." She called out to him.

The man paused but did not turn around.

"From now on, we'll go our separate ways. We have no ties anymore."

Bella's slender fingers clutched the bedsheet tightly, nearly tearing it, but her voice remained cold and resolute. "You don't need to force yourself to see me anymore. I won't want to see you again."

As he walked out of the hospital room, Justin felt like his steps were floating, as if he were walking on clouds, completely detached from reality.

The pounding in his head grew stronger with each step, and his vision blurred, then cleared, in waves

--"We'll go our separate ways."

Her heartless words echoed in his ears, pulling at his nerves, and his forehead was slick with cold sweat. "Justin." A gentle voice came from behind.

Justin stopped in his tracks and turned his head.

Grant sat in his wheelchair, smiling faintly as he approached.

"I'd like to speak with you privately."

Justin clenched his fists tightly, enduring the pain. "Alright."

The two brothers went up to the rooftop.

It was a sunny afternoon, but winter had arrived. The cold wind cut through the collars and sleeves of their clothes.

Justin, a former soldier with a remarkable physique, nonetheless felt a chill creeping through his body.

"The air in Savrow is so refreshing. There's nothing like being home," Grant said as he took a deep breath. He coughed lightly, perhaps from inhaling too much cold air. His face grew a shade paler.

"Grant, what do you want to talk about?" Justin stood beside him, his ink-black eyes gazing into the distance." The wind is strong here. You're in poor health, so you should take care of yourself."

Clutching his chest, Grant asked, "Justin, do you still care about me?"

"Of course." Justin paused, his voice low. "Back then, you sacrificed yourself to help me escape. It's because of that sacrifice that I survived. I will never forget that debt."

Grant frowned and chuckled. "So, it's only a debt? Not brotherly love?"

Justin's thin lips pressed together. "Growing up, you treated me the best besides Grandpa."

"I'm not trying to guilt you. I just hope that my sudden return hasn't caused you any trouble. I want our brotherhood to remain as it always has been." Grant exhaled lightly. His tone was sincere. "Even though we don't share the same mother, you are still my half brother. I've never had any ill intentions toward you."

Justin's expression remained cold. "Grant, if we are truly brothers, then just say what you want to say. There's no need to beat around the bush."

A biting, bone-chilling wind howled past.

"Justin, your story with Ms. Thompson has ended. It's such a pity." Grant lifted his pale, jade-like face and looked at him, enunciating each word clearly. "Would you mind if I wanted to start something with her?"

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2287-Justin's deep, dark pupils trembled uncontrollably.

Suddenly, the sharp pain in his head intensified, as if something were crashing around inside, trying to split his skull open.

'Bella...' In the deepest recesses of his mind, he heard himself softly calling her name.

"Justin? Justin? Are you alright? You don't look well," Grant asked, concerned.

"I'm fine." Justin's tongue pressed hard against his teeth, and he squeezed his reddened eyes shut.

"I'm telling you this now because I worry that if I formally pursue Ms. Thompson in the future, you might feel uncomfortable watching. Although you've broken up, you two once genuinely loved each other."

Grant's clear eyes curved slightly. "I don't want you to think I'm stealing her away. I also don't want anyone to interfere with my pursuit of the one I love."

Justin's headache blurred his vision. Fearing that Grant might notice, he hastily ended the conversation. "I've already broken up with her. Whatever you do has nothing to do with me."

He turned and took two steps before freezing, unable to resist asking, "When did you start having feelings for her?"

With his back to him, Grant lazily squinted at the sky. "I don't remember exactly when. Perhaps it was the first time I envied you. I envied you for having such a pure relationship. Just now, when I saw Ms. Thompson cry in front of me, I became even more certain of my feelings. I want to pursue her and treat her well. I can't bear to see her in tears."

Leaving the rooftop, Justin walked stiffly toward the parking lot. The cold wind that filled his lungs turned into icy needles, piercing his body with unbearable pain.

His head pounded, and his labored breaths made each step a struggle. His heart was clearly still beating, but when he touched his chest, it felt hollow.

Suddenly, Justin could no longer stand. His tall, sturdy frame collapsed forward.

"Mr. Justin! Be careful!"

Darkness clouded his vision as he fell into a warm, fragrant embrace.

"Mr. Justin, are you alright? Is your headache getting worse?" Clarice wrapped her arms around his firm, lean waist, holding him steady.

Justin's ears rang, and his breathing was ragged. He struggled to lift his heavy eyelids, but all he could see was a blurry silhouette of the woman in front of him.

At that moment, Clarice, wearing a white coat with her black hair neatly tied into a ponytail, overlapped with the figure he had been desperately searching for in his memory.

"Little Dove..." Before he could finish his words, his eyes closed, and he lost consciousness.

"Mr. Justin? Mr, Justin?" Clarice called out, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

After Justin fainted at the hospital, his condition stabilized, so he was sent back to Tideview Manor, where he remained asleep in his room.

Since Wilma had returned, Clarice excused herself and went to Grant.

"I never expected this medicine to cause such a severe headache." Clarice kneeled beside the coffee table and poured out some tea to serve Grant. "To be honest, I grew up with Justin, and I've rarely seen him in such a pathetic, miserable state. It's quite the eye-opener."

Grant held the teacup with his long, slender fingers and spoke calmly. "When Hugh's plane crash caused his memory loss, I only gave him one black pill to suppress his emotions. But my brother had the nerve to take three pills in one go. I'm quite impressed by Justin's boldness. If it weren't for his strong physique, he wouldn't have survived. For most people, taking that many pills would likely leave them in a vegetative state." Clarice's heart sank. "Will he have frequent relapses?"

"For now, the headaches will only flare up when he's mentally agitated. But over time, the pain will become constant. He'll be dependent on medication and might even develop a severe addiction."

Clarice gasped. "Isn't that no different from drug addiction?"

Grant smiled enigmatically. "My brother is a romantic. I never thought that even after taking three pills, he still wouldn't let go of her. Earlier today, I made it clear that I intend to pursue Bella. His expression didn't waver, but clearly, it struck a nerve. It seems that we must continue dosing him with the medicine."

Noticing the smile that had not left Grant's face since she entered the room, Clarice cautiously probed, "Sir, you seem to be in a good mood. Is there some good news?"

Grant chuckled softly. "Perhaps Bella is slowly starting to give up on my brother."

"Give up? That quickly? She once loved Justin so deeply. Is it possible-*

Grant cut her off, suddenly asking in a quiet voice, "Clarice, do you know what it means to love? Do you know how to love someone?"

"I..." Clarice was lost for words.

She had stayed by Justin's side for years, always driven by a strong sense of purpose. But even so, the man was so handsome and outstanding that it would be a lie to say she had no feelings for him.

The truth was, she, as Rosalind Gold, loved herself more back then.

Until she ended up stranded in the Meridan, alone, bullied, and penniless, nearly assaulted by a group of men in a filthy alley.

It was Grant who saved her and gave her a new identity and a second chance at life.

She had once been Justin's "savior", but Grant was her savior.

She thought she knew how to love. But she had never loved Justin-she had always loved Grant

Thus, she kneeled at his feet, lifting her delicate, flushed face to look up at him with adoration. She spoke with devotion. "I know how to love. You were the one who taught me!"

"Is that so?" Grant looked at her, smirking. "How could I teach you something I don't even know myself? But it doesn't matter. Just like with medication, feelings can also be tested. My brother has already served as my test case. Let's try it out on Ms. Thompson, shall we?"

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2288-Although Bella still had injuries and walked with a limp, she refused to remain bedridden and idle. After another week of recovery, she left the hospital, despite using crutches and wearing a cast on her left leg. She did not inform her father or Mila about her discharge, but Asher, Axel, Roza, and Steven came to pick her up. Their presence filled her heart with warmth.

"Bella, are you really done with Justin?" Roza clung to Bella's frail arm, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Yeah, it's over." Bella smiled gently, her tone light with a sense of relief. "We loved each other passionately and sincerely. That's enough. No regrets."

Roza's eyes reddened. "How could you not have regrets? After all this time, he never proposed, never gave you the grand wedding everyone would envy... He still owes you so much! How can you say the love is over?" "Roza, even if Justin owed me, he's risked his life for me countless times these past two years. He's paid it back in full."

Bella fought to keep her emotions in check, her lips curling into a faint, bitter smile. "This time, I'm the one who owes him. Letting him live freely without burden or pressure-that will be my repayment to him."

Roza, unwilling to accept it, looked pleadingly at her husband.

Axel's thin lips were tightly pressed together, his face filled with worry. He could only shake his head.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Asher walked over and opened it, seeing Drew standing there, travel-worn. His eyes warmed with emotion as he regained some vitality.

"Drew, you're back."

"Ash, I'm sorry I'm late." Drew exhaled lightly, his heart anxious. "How's Bella? Is she better?"

"It's good that you're here. Bella's left foot is still in a cast, but the rest of her injuries are mostly healed. Don't worry..."

Before he could finish speaking, Asher noticed a young woman standing silently behind Drew. This delicate beauty with her head slightly lowered in shyness was an unfamiliar face, but she exuded a strange sense of familiarity.

"Drew, this is-*

Drew turned, smiling warmly as he gently took the girl's hand and pulled her into his arms. His large hand rested tenderly on her waist as he gazed at her with overflowing affection. "Ash, this is Yvonne."

Asher's eyes widened in disbelief, his gaze tracing the girl's completely transformed, radiant face. "Yvonne... Are you really Ms. Smith?"

Yvonne blushed, her fair cheeks turning rosy as she nodded lightly.

"Yvonne!" Just then, Bella hobbled over with the help of her second brother and his wife, her almond eyes shining with excitement.

"Ms. Thompson." Yvonne, seeing Bella's difficulty moving, hurried forward to meet her.

The two girls clasped hands tightly.

"Is this the way you used to look? Bella's eyes reddened, tears of joy nearly spilling over.

Yvonne's lips parted slightly, but she was too choked up to speak.

"You're so beautiful!" Bella raised a trembling hand to gently caress her face. "I'm truly happy for you... You can finally be yourself again."

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2289-No wonder Drew had been missing lately. It turned out that he had been accompanying his beloved for a plastic surgery procedure.

"I sought out one of the top plastic surgeons in the world," Drew said as he walked over, standing side by side with Yvonne. The two gazed deeply into each other's eyes, as though trying to merge their souls. "I wanted to restore Yvonne's original appearance completely, but because her previous surgeries were so extreme, changing her bone structure, not even a miracle doctor could achieve full restoration. We could only recover about 80% of her original look."

Bella marveled, "Wow... She's already this beautiful at 80%! If it were 100%, she'd be up there with the goddesses!"

Everyone laughed, and for the first time in a long while, the air did not feel so heavy.

"It doesn't matter if I can't go back to the way I used to look," Yvonne said with a radiant smile.

Her features had lost some of the striking beauty they once had but now exuded a delicate grace and warmth, qualities that had been absent before. "As long as I have a new beginning, I'm satisfied."

"No matter what you look like, I'll love you... You didn't have to go through this hardship. Every cut pained me." Drew lowered his head. Unable to resist, he kissed her delicate lips softly. "But I wanted to respect your decision. Whatever you want, I'll support you."

Tears welled in Yvonne's eyes. She stood on tiptoe to return his kiss.

Though it was the middle of winter, for this girl, it felt like the spring she had waited for over ten years had finally arrived.

Bella, with Steven's help, climbed into the car. Just as the car engine roared to life, her phone rang.

"Wilma!" Bella answered immediately, her tone light and cheerful.

She had not contacted Wilma since returning to Savrow because of what happened with Justin, as she did not want to cause Wilma any worry or stress.

"Young Madam, are you still in the hospital?" Wilma's voice was filled with concern.

"I just got discharged today. Don't worry, I'm doing fine."

"Young Madam..." Wilma hesitated, her voice lowering. "Did... Did you see Young Master Grant?"

At the mention of Grant, Bella's instincts sharpened. "I did. While I was in the hospital, he was recovering in the room next to mine. He often came to visit me."

Wilma's tone wavered. "Ah..."

"Wilma, is there something you need to tell me?"

"Young Madam, why don't you come to the house in Savrow? There's something I want to talk to you about."

The Rolls-Royce pulled up outside the private villa

Bella had been hesitant to revisit the place where she and Justin had shared their love. She chose not to leave the car due to her injuries and fear of old memories resurfacing. Instead, she asked Wilma to meet her in the

car.

Soon, Wilma hurried out of the villa and climbed into the car.

"Young Madam! I've missed you so much!" The two women embraced warmly.

Bella smiled gently. "I've missed you too."

After exchanging pleasantries, Bella's expression grew serious as she asked, "Wilma, did you urgently want to see me because of Grant?"

Wilma's face grew tense, and she nodded firmly, worry etched on her brow.

"Young Madam... Young Master Grant stayed by your side at the hospital and even asked me to prepare porridge for you. What do you think his intentions are?"

Steven could not help but scoff. "Isn't it obvious? He wants to pursue Ms. Bella!"

Wilma grabbed Bella's hand tightly, her anxiety clear. "Madam, you mustn't get involved with him... No! You mustn't even get close to him!"

Bella's curiosity deepened. "Wilma, is there something wrong with Grant?"

"He... He...

Wilma struggled internally, but for the sake of Bella's safety, she finally steeled herself. "I think... He has mental issues!"

The Divorced Heiress Revenge Chapter 2290-As soon as Wilma uttered those words, the air inside the heated car turned icy, like the bitter cold of winter.

Bella and Steven exchanged a startled glance, both hearts racing.

Bella quickly asked, "Wilma, what do you mean by 'mental issues"?"

Wilma's face twitched slightly, as if recalling something deeply unsettling.

She took a shaky breath before speaking. Tve worked for the Salvador family for nearly 30 years now, mostly at the Tideview Manor. Other than the head butler and Chairman Salvador's secretary Paul, not many servants have been there as long as I have.

"When I first joined the Salvador household, I was assigned to serve Chairman Salvador's wife and Young Master Grant. But I wasn't their personal maid. I was just part of the staff doing laundry and other menial tasks. I wasn't trusted with things like serving tea or handling delicate chores.

"At first, I thought Madam Salvador looked down on me because I came from a poor village and was clumsy. But later, I realized that all of Madam Salvador's daily needs were managed by her own trusted people- servants she brought from the Fowler household, her maternal family. It was almost impossible for any of the Salvador family's regular staff to get close to her."

Steven asked, puzzled, "Why was that? Did Madam Salvador have something to hide from the rest of the family?"

"Could it be that Madam Salvador really did have a mental illness?" Bella recalled her and her brothers' earlier suspicions, her eyes darkening.

Wilma furrowed her brow, tightening it with unease. "To be exact, Madam Salvador was completely insane!" Bella and Steven were both shocked. "Insane?!"

"Though Madam Salvador had dedicated caretakers and lived alone in the separate villa at the back of Tideview Manor, over time, rumors began to spread. There was no way to keep it hidden forever. The worst incident was when she lost control and attacked a maid bringing her food-biting off a piece of the woman's face. The maid was covered in blood. It was terrifying!"

Steven was dumbfounded. "That's no longer human…. That's…"

He did not finish the sentence, unable to say the words aloud.

"That's a severe mental illness," Bella said, sighing in frustration. "Madam Salvador must have lost all sense of reality, experiencing hallucinations and delusions, along with violent impulses. She couldn't control herself anymore."

Hearing this, Bella felt a deep sorrow. It made sense now why Grant's mother had spiraled into madness, abandoned by her husband, and eventually ended her life in such a tragic way.

"I signed a confidentiality agreement about all this, and Madam Salvador has been gone for years now. I had planned to take this secret to my grave."

Wilma squeezed Bella's fingers, her face lined with concern. "But now, I have to tell you everything I know! I believe Young Master Grant inherited his mother's mental issues. Although he seems normal on the outside, he harbors a violent streak, worse than his mother!"

Bella's face grew serious. She gently placed her hand on Wilma's tense back. "Wilma, what exactly do you know?"

Wilma's face turned pale as she was pulled back into a bloody, horrific memory. "This was over 20 years ago… Young Master Grant had only been living in the Salvador household for a short time. It was my turn to serve dinner at the separate villa where Madam Salvador lived.*

Her expression twisted with horror. "I saw it with my own eyes… Young Master Grant… He was torturing a stray cat in the back courtyard! He was stabbing the poor thing's body with a knife and laughing hysterically! I'll never forget that smile. It was the most terrifying thing I've ever seen in my life!"

Steven shivered. The very thought of the scene sent chills down his spine.

Bella's heart clenched tightly. 'Grant tortured animals?'

If Wilma had not told her this herself, she would never have been able to reconcile this image of a cruel, heartless monster with the refined, elegant man she knew.

"He tortured more than just that one animal at Tideview Manor," Wilma continued. "The head housekeeper would often find bloodied remains of cats and dogs buried in the garden. Not only did Grant kill them, but he dismembered them too!"

Her eyes were wide with lingering fear. "Young Madam, tell me, can any sane person do something like that? How could he be capable of such cruelty?"

Bella's brows furrowed deeply, her lips pressed tightly together as she sank into a troubled silence.