Eva originally wanted to see Bella get angry. Unexpectedly, Bella said she liked it!

Eva secretly gritted her teeth and thought, "Bella, let's see how long you can endure this!"

"Since you like it, then I can rest easy. Let me put it on for you," Eva said as she stepped forward.

Bella handed the silver hairpin to Clara and said to Eva, "How could I trouble you with this? Let Clara do it."

Clara looked at the hairpin, not wanting to place it on Bella's head. But she knew that if she didn't follow Bella's instructions, Eva might cause more trouble.

In the end, Clara had no choice but to place the plain silver hairpin, which even she wouldn't wear, on Bella's head.

Eva had no more excuses to trouble Bella. But thinking about how she got such a beautiful golden hairpin while Bella wore a shabby silver one that even her servants wouldn't wear, she felt great and left with her maid.

When Eva left, Clara quickly removed the hairpin from Bella's head. "Madam, I'll throw this hairpin far away," she said.

"Keep it. The less trouble, the better," Bella said.

Clara wanted to throw the hairpin as far away as possible, thinking about Bella's grievances. But she knew Bella was right. She placed the hairpin in a small box at the bottom of the most inconspicuous trunk.

"Madam, why did you give her such a nice golden hairpin? It's a shame about that hairpin," Clara said, feeling sorry for Bella.

"I just wanted to show her that I sincerely wish to get along peacefully. If it can truly avoid future troubles, then it's worth it," Bella said.

"But what if she still causes you trouble?" Clara didn't believe Eva would stop her schemes because of the golden hairpin.

"If that happens, we'll just have to be more cautious," Bella said. She just wanted to use the golden hairpin to test Lincoln's schemes.

After all, it was such a valuable item. If Lincoln hadn't hinted at it, Bella believed Eva would have behaved for a while. The golden hairpin was just a way for her to test.

By noon, everything that had happened at the Marquis Manor had reached Charles' ears.

Lincoln had made a grand show of taking concubines. Naturally, Charles was concerned about Bella's situation and wanted to know how she was. Lincoln was more than happy to let him know everything that happened, so Charles received the news quickly.

When Charles learned that Bella had been scalded and forced to wear a hairpin that even the maids wouldn't wear, he wanted to storm into the Marquis Manor. He would take Bella away and live a life of wandering far from Gonzales.

Luckily, Adrian stopped him. "Your Highness, even if you could enter the Marquis Manor, you wouldn't be able to take Ms. Jenkins away. Lincoln's reputation as a hell is not for nothing. Even if all the guards from Barnes Manor went, it wouldn't be enough to beat him. Not only would you fail to take Ms. Jenkins away, but you'd also ruin her reputation, making it impossible for her to live respectably in the future."

Charles slammed his fist on the table in frustration. Yes, he couldn't harm Bella! But should he just stand by and watch her suffer in the Marquis Manor? Or should he give in to Lincoln's wishes, marry Lydia, and trade for Bella's safety?

After an afternoon of rest, Bella was summoned to the main hall again the next day. Today, Lincoln had brought in Eden Bennett, who came from a family of physicians.

Bella was even more cautious this time than she had been the day before. Despite all her precautions, she still fell into Eden's trap.

Everything seemed to go smoothly. The water was warm. She didn't expect Eden to put a laxative in the water.

As soon as Bella returned to the Melody Courtyard, her stomach started acting up. She was up most of the night, completely exhausted.

Clara was so angry that she cried. "Madam, she's gone too far! I'm going to find Marquis Miller and ask for justice,"

"Clara," Bella called out to her weakly. "Do you think she'd have the nerve to do this without Marquis Miller's consent? I should be grateful she didn't give me poison. Clara, help me up quickly."

It was almost dawn when Bella finally settled down. When Clara saw that Bella was still sleeping soundly in the morning, she didn't have the heart to disturb her. She went to the kitchen instead. Clara prepared some oatmeal to prevent Bella from waking up hungry and kept it warm on the small stove. She planned to serve it to Bella as soon as she woke up.

Before Bella even woke up, Eden showed up. When Clara saw Eden, she thought of all the suffering Bella had endured. Clara wanted nothing more than to tear her apart.

"Ms. Bennett, Madam is not feeling well. She is resting right now and is not able to see you. Please, go back," Clara said. She managed to suppress her urge to tear Eden apart and stepped forward to ask her to leave.

Eden wasn't oblivious to the anger in Clara's voice. But she didn't take Clara seriously at all.

"Since she is not feeling well, I must check on her even more. I grew up learning some medical skills from my father. I can take a look at her," Eden said. She pushed Clara aside and barged into Bella's room.

Bella had heard the noise and had already woken up. When she saw that it was Eden who had entered, she said, "Eden, you're here. Please, have a seat. Clara, help me get dressed."

When Clara heard Bella's words, she quickly stepped forward to help Bella straighten her clothes.

Eden looked at Bella and said, "Bella, I heard you're not feeling well. May I take a look? I know a bit about medicine. If it's just a minor ailment, I can prescribe some remedies for you."

"It's nothing serious, just a slight cold. I slept it off, and I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern," Bella said. She wouldn't dare take medicine prescribed by Eden.

Eden laughed inwardly. "A slight cold? The medicine I prepared for you wouldn't just give you a cold," she thought.

Though these thoughts were in her mind, Eden maintained a respectful expression. She said, "I heard Ms. Flores gave you a silver hairpin. I don't have any hairpins to give. But coming from a family of doctors, I can give you this century-old herbal. It will help you nourish your body."

As she spoke, she signaled to her maid to place the box she was holding on the table.

"You're very kind, Eden. Clara, go fetch the jade hairpin from my cabinet," Bella said. By this time, she was fully dressed.

Clara knew Bella was trying to keep the peace again, but she just couldn't swallow her anger. When Clara grabbed the jade hairpin, she wished she could accidentally break it rather than let this malicious woman have it. But she also knew that would only bring trouble to Bella. So, she obediently handed the jade hairpin to Bella.

Bella handed the jade hairpin to Eden. "This is my small token. I hope you like it," she said.

Eden accepted the box and took out the jade hairpin. The jade was crystal clear and of high quality. Her eyes flickered as she said, "Thank you, Bella. Since you're not feeling well, I won't longer disturb you."

After speaking, she left with her maid. As soon as Eden left, Clara became upset. "Madam, you only have a few good jewelry pieces. Now they've all gone to them. What will you wear from now on?" she said.

Bella looked at the herbal in the box and smiled faintly. She said, "Whether it's a gold hairpin or a jade one, they're no different from a piece of vine. It's just a material difference."

"Madam, your mindset truly leaves me speechless," Clara said. She didn't understand how Bella could think this way.

"Clara, take this radish to the kitchen," Bella said. She closed the box containing the herbal and handed it to Clara.

"Radish?" Clara's eyes widened in shock. Eva's hairpin from the other day might not have been impressive, but at least it was a hairpin. But Eden dared to bring a radish and pretend it was herbal.