I looked deeply at Richard, then turned to Diana.

Just as I stepped out of the Thaddeus Family’s grand front gates, a sleek black business car pulled up beside me.

A woman stepped out and, to my surprise, knelt in front of me.

“Miss Baldridge, please… please save my son...”

I recognized her. Laura Caldwell of the Caldwell Family.

It turned out that during the car accident a year ago, not only was Richard severely injured, but so was his long-time rival, Maximus Caldwell.

Since then, Max had been left in a half-dead, vegetative state.

But after the tragic end of my previous life, I no longer offered my blood so freely.

I refused Laura’s desperate plea.

She didn’t beg further. Instead, she wiped her tears silently and left with dignity.

A week later, I received an invitation to a banquet at the Thaddeus residence.

Scarlett had returned with the legendary Snow Lotus.

Diana, wary of the authenticity of the medicine, asked me to attend and verify it.

At the banquet, Scarlett clung tightly to Richard’s side, not moving an inch.

Diana pulled me aside, her expression sorrowful.

“I’m not afraid that the snow lotus won’t work. I’m afraid of giving Richard false hope again.”

“He’s been disappointed so many times… I’ve watched the light in his eyes dim day by day.”

“As a mother, it breaks my heart. I just… I don’t know what else to do.”

Before I could offer any words of comfort, Scarlett pushed Richard’s wheelchair toward us.

“Diana, don’t worry. I’ll definitely help Richard to walk again. I nearly died in the snowy mountains to bring back this snow lotus.”

Richard looked at her, eyes filled with emotion and gripped her hand tightly.

“Scarlett, when I stand again, I’ll throw the most magnificent wedding for you.”

“I believe in you.”

Then Scarlett turned to look at me, her smile laced with subtle malice.

“I’m not like those so-called miracle doctors. I know I can cure Richard’s legs.”

Her words caused a stir.

Several renowned physicians who had treated Richard before turned visibly sour.

“Miss McKenzie, aren’t you being a bit too bold?”

“You dare challenge our diagnoses without any medical background?”

“Even Miss Baldridge of the esteemed medical family has said Richard’s condition is incurable. And you, a young girl with no training, claim otherwise?”

Although Richard felt Scarlett had spoken rashly, he still stood by her.

“I trust her. She can cure me.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Scarlett mistook my amusement as mockery.

Her eyes narrowed, but she forced a smile.

“Miss Baldridge, I’ve heard you’re the most gifted healer of your generation. But you turned down both the Thaddeus and Caldwell families.”

“It’s hard not to wonder… maybe you’re not as skilled as everyone claims.”

I smiled calmly.

“Then I look forward to the day Miss McKenzie helps Mr. Thaddeus walk again.”

My serenity only made her more agitated.

She bit her lip.

“You think I’m stealing your spotlight, don’t you?”

“I know Diana likes you and once hoped you'd marry Richard.”

“But now, I’m the only one who can cure him.”

Still seated in his wheelchair, Richard sneered.

“Miss Baldridge, even if you had the ability to heal me, I would never agree to marry you.”

“When my mother first introduced you, I thought you were someone impressive.”

“But clearly, you’re just a fraud.”

“Let me make one thing clear, the only woman I love is Scarlett. If I don’t marry her in this life, I’ll marry no one.”

“Even if you stood before me three times, I wouldn’t spare you a second glance.”

Watching them perform their duet of affection and disdain, I felt only irritation.

“Your mother invited me here to evaluate Miss McKenzie medicine.”

“But since you have such unwavering faith in her, there’s no need for me to interfere.”

Just as I turned to leave, Scarlett suddenly reached out to block my path.

“Victoria, what do you mean by that?”

I frowned.

“Exactly what it sounds like. If you don’t understand, feel free to check the dictionary.”

Scarlett scoffed coldly.

“Do you dare to make a bet with me? Let’s see which of us can cure Richard’s legs.”

“The loser kneels, admits defeat publicly and is never allowed to set foot in the city again!”

I paused in my step, then slowly turned to face her.

“I’ll take your bet, but not by treating Richard. I’ll treat Maximus Caldwell.”

Her expression changed.

“In ten days, we’ll see if you can make Richard stand or if I can make Max wake up.”

“Dare to bet, Miss McKenzie?”

The room erupted with gasps.

“Isn’t Max in a vegetative state?”

“That’s way harder than fixing Richard’s legs.”

“Honestly, if the Caldwell Family hadn’t poured millions into life support, he’d be long gone.”

“If Miss Baldridge pulls this off, it’ll be a miracle in medical history.”

“Ten days? That’s impossible.”

Amid the murmurs, Scarlett eyes gleamed with excitement.

“Fine. With all these people as witnesses, Victoria, don’t try to back out when you lose.”

I nodded calmly.

“I won’t lose.”

Richard let out a cold, mocking laugh.

“Max is already a dead man. You couldn’t even treat my legs and now you’re trying to bring someone like him back?”

“Victoria, admit losing now and maybe I’ll consider not punishing you.”

I glanced briefly at his legs.

“Richard, remember, medicine can be as poisonous as it is healing.”

“Be careful. With Scarlett’s superior skills, she might just make your condition worse.”

With that, I turned and left.

In my previous life, Scarlett was nothing more than a finance graduate with no medical background.

Her parents were ordinary workers.

The idea that she could cure paralysis? Silly.

That night, word of our wager spread like wildfire across the city.

Someone even opened a public betting pool.

Richard staked ten million on Scarlett—to “encourage” her victory.

The next morning, Laura came to personally pick me up.

At the hospital, I took out the blood-infused medicine I’d prepared, gently lifted Maximus’ head and fed it to him.

Seven days. That’s all it would take for him to wake up.

“Miss Baldridge, thank you. Whether Max wakes up or not, our family will never forget this favor.”

Laura’s voice trembled.

“Whatever you need, just say the word. If it’s within our power, it’s yours.”

She moved as if to kneel again, but I caught her quickly.

“Laura, I’m not doing this for a reward. I only want to win.”

“You don’t need to worry. I will bring your son back.”

Tears welled in her eyes.

“I heard about your bet with Scarlett. The Caldwell Family is backing you with ten million. When the time comes, the winnings and interest, will be yours.”

“Don’t refuse. You’ve earned it.”

Just as I was about to respond, I saw Scarlett approaching, pushing Richard in his wheelchair.

She stopped in front of us and sneered.

“So, this is why you offered to help Max.”

“You’ve got your eyes on the Caldwell Family’s money.”

Then she stepped forward and grabbed Laura’s arm, her tone turning sweet and false.

“Laura, don’t be fooled. This woman couldn’t even cure Richard’s legs.”

“How could she possibly wake Max? Don’t end up losing both your money and your son.”

Laura shook her off coldly.

“I believe in her. Scarlett, this doesn’t concern you.”

Rejected so plainly, Scarlett pouted, visibly upset.

"I'm just kindly reminding you..."

Seeing the tears welling in Scarlett’s eyes, Richard’s heart softened.

“Laura, we both known Scarlett for years. You should believe us. Victoria is a fraud.”

“You mustn’t let her treat Max.”

I raised my hand to stop Laura from speaking on my behalf, my gaze falling on Richard’s legs.

“Richard, haven’t you noticed? Your legs have atrophied even more than before.”

Instinctively, Richard pulled his trench coat over his legs to hide them.

“What nonsense are you spouting? After taking Scarlett’s medicine, my legs have improved.”

A flicker of panic flashed in Scarlett’s eyes.

She stepped in front of him.

“Stop talking nonsense. You know nothing. This is just a normal reaction to the medicine.”

“In a few more days, Richard will be able to stand.”

“You should focus on saving Maximus instead of meddling in others' business.”

I smiled but said nothing.

That same day, after I gave Max the blood medicine, Diana sent me a video of Scarlett preparing her so-called remedy.

Among the rare herbs, she added a few drops of an unknown liquid from an unlabeled bottle.

Just then, a sudden movement came from the hospital bed.

I quickly stood and approached.

“Mr. Caldwell? You’re awake?”

“Victoria?”

He blinked, looking into my face as he called my name.

I was momentarily stunned.

“You recognize me?”

Before he could answer, Laura burst in and rushed to her son, tears flowing as she embraced him tightly.

I stepped outside to give them space.

No sooner had I left than another video from Diana arrived.

This time, showing Richard legs visibly more shriveled. It had to be that unknown liquid Scarlett had added.

In my previous life, Scarlett had clung to the belief that the Snow Lotus could cure him.

Now I wondered, after realizing that Scarlett’s "cure" had destroyed his legs, would he still treasure her and dream of growing old together?

Over the next few days, Max diligently performed rehabilitation exercises.

By the tenth day of our bet, he could already walk.

When we entered the Thaddeus Family’s grand banquet hall, the entire city elite had gathered. Everyone was watching.

Gasps rippled through the room as they saw us.

“Is that... Maximus Caldwell? Am I seeing things? He’s awake?”

“But I bet five million on Scarlett!”

“The Baldridge Family really lives up to their reputation. Every hospital said he was hopeless, yet she cured him!”

Scarlett turned pale, stunned as she stared at me.

“You actually made Max wake up?”

I gave a cold laugh.

“You lost. It’s time to honor our bet, isn’t it?”

All eyes turned to her.

“Miss McKenzie, a bet is a bet. Time to kneel and admit defeat.”

“Come on, you agreed. After that, it’s goodbye to the capital.”

Scarlett looked toward the second floor, her expression tight with panic.

“I...”

Just as she was about to kneel, a voice rang out from above.

“Who said we lost?”

Everyone turned.

Richard stood tall at the top of the stairs, fully upright.

“Oh my god, his legs. He’s standing?”

“Could it be... Scarlett really cured him? Even Victoria said it was hopeless!”

“If both are cured... who actually wins this bet?”

Scarlett lifted her chin with pride.

“Did you see that? Richard is standing now!”

Richard looked down at me with disdain.

“Victoria! You claimed no one could cure me. But here I am, standing in front of you, perfectly fine. Still not ready to admit you’re just a fraud?”

I shook my head calmly.

“Richard, maybe your legs could’ve been saved before. But now? They’re truly beyond hope.”

His expression darkened instantly, teeth clenched.

“Victoria, let’s see how long you can keep babbling!”

As soon as the words left his lips, he lifted his foot and stepped down the stairs.

I silently counted in my heart.

“One, two, three... ten.”

A loud thud echoed through the hall.

Richard collapsed to his knees, then tumbled down the stairs in a heap.

A nearby guest screamed in shock.

“Ah! What happened to his legs?!”