Isabella Swan huffed and puffed, chasing after the infuriating doctor for what felt like miles, only to lose him amidst the bustling streets of Magnolia. Exhausted and famished, she collapsed onto a stool at a nearby noodle stall, attracting a piercing gaze from the stall owner. With a roll of her eyes and a wave of her hand, she ordered, "Boss, a bowl of noodles, please!"
"Coming right up!" The owners face transformed from a frown to a smile as swiftly as a changing mask in a theatrical play, a sight that left Isabella both amused and exasperated.
As she slurped her noodles, her attention was drawn to the commotion in the distance. "Hey, boss, whats all the fuss over there?" she asked, nodding towards the crowd.
The owner glanced over his shoulder, "Miss, dont you know? Thats where Dr. Cullen is holding a free clinic."
"Dr. Cullen? Whos that?"
The owners eyes widened in disbelief, "Dr. Cullen? Hes the benevolent saint with a healing touch!"
Isabella snorted dismissively, "Pfft, probably just a quack."
"Isabella Swan, how dare you call Dr. Cullen a quack!" A shrill voice rang out above her, and she looked up to see a familiar yet unplaceable face, as fiery as a chili pepper.
"Who?" Isabella blinked in confusion.
The fiery lady, Scarlett OHara, was seething with anger, "Today, I, the princess, will teach you a lesson!" With that, she unsheathed her whip from her waist and cracked it towards Isabella with ferocity.
Isabella barely had time to react before a figure in white intervened, pulling her into a protective embrace. The faint scent of medicinal herbs filled her nostrils, followed by a muffled groan and Scarletts scream, "Dr. Cullen!"
Isabella stood stunned in Edward Cullens cool embrace. Dr. Cullen? He gently pushed her away and frowned slightly, "Are you alright?"
Isabellas eyes widened in surprise, "Youre not—?"
Dr. Cullen ignored her question, glanced at her, and then positioned himself in front of her, addressing the flustered Scarlett with a voice as cold as ice and as light as a feather, "Princess OHara, I have repeatedly stated not to harm others because of me. If you continue to insist, I will not dare to practice medicine at the palace anymore. Please seek another doctor."
"Edward Cullen, she insulted you as a quack, and youre still protecting her?" Scarlett was furious.
Dr. Cullen glanced at Isabella, and she immediately felt a wave of embarrassment, quickly explaining, "I was just joking, dont take it seriously!"
Dr. Cullen turned back to Scarlett, his voice indifferent, "The clear shall remain clear, why fear others words? Princess, please do not do this again."
Princess? Oh, she remembered now! This fiery lady was the precious daughter of the King, Scarlett OHara, who used to play with Isabella Swan when they were young. However, after the Swan familys decline, they saw each other less and less. But Scarlett had never liked Isabella, always looking to put her down whenever they met.
Sure enough, after being rebuffed by Edward Cullen, Scarlett turned her anger towards Isabella, sneering, "Isabella Swan, the King just broke off your engagement, how dare you still show your face in public?"
Suddenly, all eyes in the crowd turned to Isabella, and even Edward Cullen looked at her with surprise. Murmurs and pointing fingers arose from the onlookers. Scarlett, seeing this, gave an imperceptible smile.
"So shes the one who was engaged to the King. She must have done something shameful, and thats why His Majesty didnt favor her, and broke off the engagement..."
"Engagement is off, shes the former fiancée!"
"Oh, yes, yes!"
"If I were her, Id just kill myself. How could I still have the face to live?"
"Yes, yes, the King is such a handsome and mighty warrior, how could someone like her, such a common and ordinary woman, be worthy of him?"
...
What? Common and ordinary? Isabella could tolerate other insults, but to deny her beauty was a line she could not cross!
As she was about to retort, a cold and clear voice intervened before her, "Have you said enough?"