Chapter 176



“Your competition with Kylee is coming up, right?” Baker suddenly changed the topic.

Belinda responded, her voice steady and controlled, “What exactly are you trying to say by bringing that up?”

Baker retrieved the cup from the table and took a sip of his coffee, his tone relaxed. “Just maintain a positive attitude and give it your all. There’s no disgrace in losing to Kylee.”

Belinda’s eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. “And what makes you so sure I’ll lose to her?”

Baker’s voice carried a hint of sarcasm. “Isn’t it obvious? You have never outdone Kylee at university before. What has changed now? You think you’ve become smarter now that you’ve graduated from university?”

Belinda’s gaze flickered. She absorbed his insinuation. It suddenly dawned on her that Holley hadn’t asked her to lose to Kylee because Baker had told her to do that. So, that was solely Holley’s idea?

The realization settled heavily in Belinda’s chest, stirring a mix of disappointment and hurt inside her.

As Belinda stayed quiet, Baker continued, “Like I said, there’s no shame in losing to Kylee. After all, you are sisters. Surely, there’s no room for resentment between you? And if things go south at the Grand Plains General Hospital, I’ll ensure you have a position elsewhere. So, don’t feel pressured; just take it easy.”

He let out a chuckle, his laugh tinged with a dismissive tone. “Regardless of your efforts, the outcome will likely remain unchanged anyway.”

Baker had always looked down on Belinda. Even though he was aware that she was working at the Grand Plains General Hospital now, he assumed it was only through the Thomas family’s connections. He held no real expectation for her to pose any challenge to Kylee in the upcoming competition.

In his mind, Kylee would undoubtedly prevail.

After Belinda heard Baker’s words, a smile tugged at her lips. Clearly, in Baker’s mind, Kylee, his favorite, would always be the best.

How, then, could he have possibly asked Holley to persuade her to lose to Kylee in the competition?

Belinda regarded Baker with a composed expression, asking pointedly, “Are you we done here? May I go now?”

Observing Belinda’s detached demeanor and her blatant indifference to his opinions, Baker felt his irritation intensify. Yet, finding no point in prolonging the conversation, he dismissed her with a curt gesture. “Go ahead and leave.”

Without further ado, Belinda turned and exited the room. She headed straight to her room, swiftly gathered her belongings, and prepared to leave the house.

“Belinda, you’ve hardly rested. Where are you off to now?” Holley inquired softly, her tone laced with concern.

Belinda looked at Holley, her eyes reflecting a turmoil of emotions. After a brief pause, she inhaled deeply and responded, “I need to deal with something now. I’m going out.” She didn’t wait for Holley’s response, exiting the house briskly.

Instead of returning to the Clark family estate, Belinda drove directly to the Thomas family’s home. Thankfully, she had the day off today. Given her exhaustion from the previous night, she pondered how challenging it would have been to work under such fatigue.

Upon seeing Belinda, Mollie greeted her warmly.

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