?Chapter 145:


    Suddenly, Belinda felt herself being lifted off the floor, which caused a momentary panic to rise within her. She bit her lip and instinctively looked in Kristopher’s direction. He was watching her and Fred with an unreadable expression, one that felt unfamiliar.


    Remembering how tense Kristopher had seemed while dealing with Fred the previous evening, Belinda’s brow furrowed in concern. She was about to resist when Fred’s voice whispered softly, “Belinda.”<fn45e1> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find·novel</fn45e1>


    His words, spoken so only she could hear, held a gentle urgency. “I’ve been watching for a while. It took a lot of courage to approach you, so please don’t turn me away.” His voice wasced with hope, and his smile was almost pleading.


    Belinda hesitated, reflecting on his words. “Fred, you’re being too impulsive.”


    He was so young, so innocent. It seemed misguided for him to get involved with someone like her. After a deep breath, she stopped trying to pull away.


    She decided to soften, slipping her arm around Fred’s neck in a gesture that appeared warm, but was subtle. “Fred, thank you for helping me get to the doctor,” she said with a faint, genuine smile. Turning slightly, she gave Cathy a soft, dismissive smile. “Miss Miller, I appreciate your earlier concern, but I won’t need the wheelchair. Feel free to use it yourself.”


    She then gestured toward the consultation room. “Come on, Fred. Let’s go.”


    Fred, understanding her cue, tightened his grip reassuringly, and together, they walked toward the consultation room with purpose.


    “Miss Nelson certainly seems to be well-liked…” Cathy murmured, watching them leave.


    As Cathy observed Fred carrying Belinda away, aplex mix of jealousy and satisfaction flickered across her face. She envied Belinda for capturing the attention of such a young man. Yet, a smug sense of triumph washed over her as she saw Belinda show affection to another man in front of Kristopher. She was certain it would leave a stain on Belinda’s image in his eyes.


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    Intent on stirring trouble, Cathy remarked to Kristopher, “Isn’t that the same young man who was with her at Peace Hospital yesterday? Though Miss Nelson imed he was just a nurse, their connection seems rather intimate.”


    After herment, she looked up at Kristopher, forcing a smile. “Kristopher…”


    She hoped her words would irritate him and sour his opinion of Belinda. However, when Cathy turned toward him, she found his gaze not following Belinda, but sharply focused on her instead. His look was prating, as if he could strip away her facade and see through to her true intentions.


    Startled by his intense scrutiny, Cathy quickly averted her eyes, unable to withstand his piercing stare. She stammered, “Kristopher…”


    “Cathy,” Kristopher interrupted, his tone devoid of any previous warmth. “Were you being intentional just now?”


    As a well-known actress, Cathy understood better than most the implications of raising her voice in a public setting. Yet, she had not only spoken out, but also drawn a crowd, turning Belinda into the subject of public scrutiny.


    Kristopher had noticed someone filming the scene. The possibility of such videos going viral weighed heavily on him.


    With these thoughts in mind, his gaze toward Cathy grew even frostier.


    “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Cathy replied, struggling to steady her breath. She looked up at Kristopher, her eyes welling with tears. “Kristopher, do you really think I spoke so loudly on purpose to embarrass Miss Nelson? How could you think that of me? After all these years, you should know who I am.”


    Her voice broke as she continued, “I was just… I’m just too overwhelmed.”


    “Too overwhelmed?” Before Cathy could respond, a mocking voice called out from nearby, “Miss Miller, this excuse might only fool Kristopher.”


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