Chapter 3 The Second Male Lead

Snow had fallen all night, and the next day was freezing.

Bella got up for school, wearing the old down jacket she had worn for several years.

Zoey wanted to tell Bella to compromise with Sterling and buy a new one. At least she wouldn't freeze this winter. But knowing Bella well, she kept silent.

Bella said goodbye to Zoey and left the Windsor mansion.

With so much snow falling last night, riding a bike was nearly impossible, and even pushing it was a painful task. But Bella insisted on pushing her bike, thinking that the snow on the roads might melt by the time school was over, allowing her to ride it home.

A few minutes later, Bella was already panting.

On the road, there was a familiar black Rolls-Royce. It was Sterling's car, moving slowly.

Bella glanced at it from the corner of her eye, wondering why Sterling had his driver drive so slowly, almost at her walking speed. But it was none of her business.

Sterling watched her from the window, frowning. He asked the driver, "Ryan, do I seem difficult to get along with?"

Ryan Brown turned his head, curious. "Why do you ask, Mr. Windsor?"

"Why would Bella rather push her bike than let me drive her to school?" Sterling asked irritably.

Ryan hesitated for a moment. "Maybe Bella doesn't want others to see you two together. There might be many people who would be jealous. You're too outstanding."

Sterling frowned, not believing that was the reason, but he didn't elaborate. Forget it, let her do what she wants.

Ryan sighed inwardly. 'You want me to drive this slowly, hoping she'll get in? She doesn't want to, and you don't ask her? You two are both too stubborn.'

Suddenly, Sterling said something that shocked Ryan.

"Get someone to clear all the snow from home to the school," Sterling ordered.

Ryan could only nod, not daring to say anything more.

Bella finally made it to the classroom just before the bell rang.

Anna complained, "Why would you ride your bike in this weather? Where's your brother? Why didn't he take you?"

Anna knew a bit about Bella's family. Lucas was dead, Mira was gone, but she had a brother who took care of her.

But Bella rarely talked about him, and even Anna didn't know what he did.

Seeing Bella's stubborn expression, Anna could only shake her head. She then asked if Bella had bought the paint the art teacher required.

Bella shook her head. Even the cheapest paint was beyond her current budget.

But her pride wouldn't allow her to accept help from others, so she had to save up on her own.

"What does your brother do? He seems poorer than you," Anna couldn't help but complain again.

Suddenly, a hand reached over from behind Anna and gently touched Bella's forehead. A sunny, handsome boy appeared in front of them.

"Your forehead is frozen. I saw you pushing your bike. Don't catch a cold." He wrapped a scarf around Bella's neck, smiling warmly.

This boy was James Savoy, Bella and Anna's best friend. Bella wrapped the still-warm scarf around her neck, looking up at James with a bright smile.

He came from a wealthy family, was good-looking, and naturally kind, making him very popular at school.

Sometimes Bella even wished James were her brother. Then she would have someone who cared for and accompanied her.

But then she thought, the Savoy family would surely arrange for James to marry a wealthy girl, while she was just an orphan without family support.

Some people liked James, and some didn't.

For example, Sterling, standing at the door.

Sterling watched Bella smile at James, suppressing his anger, clenching his fists, and looking at them with bloodshot eyes. Bella had never smiled at him like that.