The costly procedure.

Panic bled the color from Olivia's face, her legs scraping back on the floor. "Mr. Reid! I-I…" she stammered. "It's not what it looks like. It's her…" She pointed her finger at Bella instantly. "She's the troublemaker! She bullied me!"

Theodore, however, ignored her. He strode purposefully towards Bella, his gaze softening as he reached out to examine her reddened hands. Blisters marred her skin. His touch was gentle, and his tone was even gentler. "Does it hurt?"

Bella stared at him with surprise, momentarily forgetting the throbbing pain in her hands. This man didn't seem as cold and heartless as the rumors said.

Theodore turned to Olivia, his eyes growing razor-sharp. "I wasn't aware the employees here resorted to such dangerous tactics."

Olivia, flustered and desperate, sputtered out a defense. "No, no, I didn't. S-She was talking behind my back, bad things! I just got mad. I didn't mean to hurt her. It was an accident, I swear!" Her voice rose in a frantic plea.

Theodore's expression remained unyielding. "Your actions, coupled with blatant lies – I would have fired you if you were in my company," He roared. He had zero tolerance for manipulation.

Just then, Zack, alerted by the commotion, arrived on the scene. "Mr. Reid, I thought you left already." he inquired, confusion etched on his face. "Is there a problem here?"

His surprised gaze darted between a tearful Olivia and Bella, whose hands were cradled protectively by Theodore.

Without missing a beat, Theodore nodded in Olivia's direction "She bullied her."

Zack's eyes widened in disbelief, a frown forming on his brow. He had never expected such behavior from Olivia. Then he noticed the blisters on Bella's hands. The color of his face drained. He lunged forward, his hands instinctively wrapping around Bella's, worry etching deep lines on his forehead.

Theodore watched the exchange, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. The unexpected display of protectiveness from Zack caught him off guard.

"Olivia! Did you do this to her?" Zack rumbled with barely contained anger. "If you did, I swear I'll make you regret it!"

Olivia's frantic denials tumbled out with desperation. "No, I didn't! I wouldn't hurt her! It was an accident!"

"Bella." Zack turned to her. "Tell me what happened. I'll believe whatever you say."

Bella hesitated, her gaze flitting to Olivia. Though resentment simmered within her, she couldn't bring herself to complain about her.

"It was just an accident," she murmured.

Theodore cocked his head, stunned. He had stepped in to defend her, only to have her refute his claims. A pang of something akin to disappointment settled in his chest. "It seems I've misinterpreted the situation," he conceded curtly.

Bella lowered her head, a pang of guilt twisting her gut.

"Mr. Reid, I appreciate your good intentions," Zack said. "But I can handle my employees."

"Well, I can see that." Theodore's gaze dropped to Zack's hand holding Bella's. "I'll leave then."

"Let me walk you out," Zack offered politely.

"Um, sir… Can I go see him off?" Bella chimed in, her tone pleading.

Zack's brow furrowed. "But you're hurt. You should tend to your wounds first."

"I'll be fine," she insisted, offering a reassuring smile.

"Okay then." Reluctantly, Zack released her hand. He watched as Theodore and Bella walked away, a knot of unease tightening in his stomach.

Once they were out of his line of sight, he spun towards Olivia, his expression hardening into a mask of icy anger. "This time, I'm letting you off with a warning," he growled. "But if I even suspect you're bullying Bella again, you're out of here."

With that, he stormed into his office, leaving Olivia alone, fuming silently.

Her glare burned after Bella's retreating figure. "This isn't over yet," she muttered through clenched teeth.

Bella followed Theodore out of the building, her heart a frantic drum solo against her ribs. A tangled mess of nervousness and guilt churned within her. She stole glances at his rigid back, desperately wanting to apologize to him, but words seemed to elude her.

With a deep breath, Bella finally managed to speak. "Mr. Reid, I… I didn't mean to offend you just now. Please, forgive me."

Theodore stopped abruptly, turning to face her. His demeanor was a chilling return to icy indifference. "You were bullied, and yet you helped your tormentor! I've never seen such naiveté."

Shame burned a crimson flush across Bella's cheeks. "I know what Olivia did was wrong," she mumbled, staring down at her shoes. "But I don't want her to lose her job."

"How generous," he scoffed, his gaze sweeping the surroundings with studied disinterest. "Someone is quite ungrateful, I'd say. I helped her twice, and not even a thank you escaped your lips. Hmm," he sighed dramatically. Turning his focus on her, he leaned over slightly and reminded her, "Didn't you agree to do whatever I asked? Have you forgotten it already?"

Bella's heart skipped a beat at his closeness. Nervous energy crackled through her veins, making her skin tingle.

"My offer is still valid," Theodore said in a hushed tone. Reaching into his wallet, he retrieved a business card and extended it towards her. "Call me when you make up your mind."

Before Bella could respond, a sleek black car pulled up beside them. Theodore slid into the back seat without another word, the car whisking him away.

Bella stood there, watching the car disappear from her sight. Her gaze drifted down to the name printed in bold lettering on the card. "Theodore Reid," she murmured. "Why do you want to marry me?"

Ring-Ring-Ring…

The insistent ringing of the phone shattered Bella's train of thought. Panic seized her as she saw the hospital number flashing on the screen.

"Hello?" she said with trepidation in her heart.

"Miss Dawn," a grave voice filled her ears, "your mother's condition has deteriorated. She's been rushed back into ICU."

"What? I'm coming right away!" she exclaimed, her voice choked with fear. She practically sprinted out of the building, hailing a cab with frantic waves.

Upon arrival at the hospital, she met the doctor, who informed her of her mother's deteriorating condition. "Your mother's liver damage is worsening," he explained gently but firmly. "Transplant is the only option left."

"Transplant?" Bella felt as if the sky had fallen on her head. How would she arrange money for the procedure?

"Yes," the doctor confirmed. "A transplant is crucial. If we proceed, we'll begin the search for a compatible donor immediately."

"Is it absolutely necessary?" she asked hesitantly, a sliver of hope flickering in her voice, hoping that there would be a way to avoid the costly procedure.

The doctor's gaze held hers steadily. "If it weren't, I wouldn't be suggesting it, Miss Dawn. Without a transplant, your mother... she has no more than three months."

Bella gasped, tears welling up in her eyes. Her mother was all the family she had left. Losing her was unthinkable. With a choked sob, she whispered, "Please, start looking for a donor. I'll do whatever it takes to save her."

The doctor offered a sympathetic nod. "We will. Here are the consent forms." He placed a stack of papers in her trembling hands.

Bella scanned the documents with blurry eyes before signing her name on the dotted line.

The doctor assured her, "We will schedule the surgery as soon as we find a suitable donor. The treatment will be followed accordingly."

"Thank you."

Bella stumbled out of the doctor's office, her mind a chaotic whirlwind. How could she possibly afford a liver transplant? The crushing weight of the cost settled on her chest, threatening to suffocate her. But if she couldn't arrange money in time, her mother would die.

"I need to arrange money anyhow," she mumbled, desperation clawing at her throat.

As she mulled over, she realized no one was there to lend her money. Her friends were not wealthy enough to help her. The small house her mother had inherited in the countryside, a gift from her grandfather, was already mortgaged to the hilt to pay off her stepfather's gambling debts.

What was she supposed to do? Where could she possibly turn?

Bella chewed on her thumbnail nervously. Then, in the depths of her despair, a name surfaced in the back of her mind.

Theodore Reid.