My pupils contracted as I instinctively tried to shift my balance, but it was too late. At high speed, I lost control, tumbling through the air and crashing hard into the safety netting.

I raised my arms to shield my head, but a sharp pain shot through my shoulder and knee.

Rory stumbled before being steadied from behind by Hazel, who had rushed over just in time. Exclamations of shock erupted from the staff and spectators along the course.

"Hazel, I-I didn't mean to." Rory's face turned pale, his voice trembling as he clutched her arm.

His gaze flicked over her shoulder toward me, feigning innocence and panic. "I just wanted to say hi to Mr. Barton, but he seemed really angry. We argued a bit, and he suddenly cut me off. I lost my balance, and we collided. I'm sorry, Mr. Barton. It's all my fault. Are you okay?"

The netting's ropes had left marks on my ski suit, and the searing pain in my knee made standing impossible. I was stuck in the snow, unable to move.

Of course, I was not okay.

Hazel's face was dark with fury. But she didn't spare me a glance; instead, she anxiously checked Rory for injuries. "Are you alright? I'll call the medical team right away!"

After comforting him, she whirled on me, her cold eyes glaring daggers. "Clyde, you've gone too far!"

I looked at her coldly, the pain in my knee paling in comparison to the chill settling in my heart.

Before that bridge incident, whenever Rory pestered her, I'd always step in with a cold word or two. In her mind, I was the one who couldn't stand seeing him happy. So now, she instinctively believed his story.

"It was him. I didn't do anything," I explained.

"You didn't do anything?" Hazel pointed at me accusingly, her tone dripping with disdain. "He's a patient recovering from trauma. What malicious intent could he possibly have? But you? You've always targeted him before, and now you've followed us to this race to cause trouble! Why can't you just let him be?"

My miserable state didn't evoke her sympathy, only deep-seated revulsion.

"You brought this upon yourself!" She paused, then commanded, "Apologize to Rory immediately!"

Her words left me trembling with rage. The sheer absurdity of it all was overwhelming.

I grabbed a handful of snow and hurled it straight at her face. "You two are truly a match made in hell!"

She exploded in fury, raising her hand to strike me. Gasps of shock rippled through the onlookers.

However, her wrist was caught mid-air by another hand. A cool, composed voice rang out. "Ever considered the consequences before laying a hand on my husband?"