Chapter 48



“We ran into each other in the parking lot,” Carola explained. “Belinda was here alone, so I invited her to join us.”

Kylee nodded in understanding. “I see. Belinda, please, come have a seat with us.”

The meal proceeded smoothly, with Baker and Carola attentively catering to Kylee’s every need. Belinda, meanwhile, ate quietly, feeling slightly out of place as she focused on her plate.

Suddenly, a blue lobster appeared on her plate. Belinda looked up, startled.

Baker, wearing a casual expression, withdrew his fork and said, “Go on, enjoy.”

Belinda glanced down at the unexpected delicacy, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. Just as she was about to speak, another fork swooped in, swiftly reclaiming the lobster and returning it to Baker’s plate.

Baker froze, visibly surprised by the interruption.

Belinda couldn’t help but turn her gaze to Carola, intrigued by the boldness of her action.

Carola set the serving fork down, her expression a mix of resignation and disbelief, and turned to Baker. “Belinda’s allergic to seafood. How could you not know that?”

Her words left both Baker and Belinda frozen in shock. Belinda hadn’t expected Carola to know about her seafood allergy. Earlier, seeing the blue lobster on her plate had felt absurd—her own father was oblivious to such an important detail.

Kylee’s face darkened slightly as she observed the interaction. Carola’s demeanor toward Belinda had always been distant, yet she knew about the allergy. The realization stirred an unexpected sense of displeasure in Kylee.

Suddenly, a thought seemed to amuse her, and she teased, “Isn’t that odd? Both of you are allergic to seafood—it’s as if you two were the real mother and daughter!”

Carola responded with a playful scowl. “Don’t spout such nonsense!”

Baker chuckled and shook his head. “So, should we assume all people with seafood allergies are related?”

Kylee giggled behind her hand. “I was just joking!”

Baker’s smile faded, and for a brief moment, his gaze flickered with an unreadable emotion.

Carola, ignoring the exchange, gently placed some crispy salt and pepper ribs on Belinda’s plate. Belinda offered her a warm smile.

“Thank you,” she said.

Carola simply nodded and resumed her meal.

Turning toward Belinda, Baker spoke, his tone shifting. “Kylee mentioned you declined her offer to join her at Grand Plains General Hospital. Why is that?”

His expression hardened quickly. “Do you see the position as beneath you? Have you considered your qualifications compared to your sister’s? Kylee excelled in her studies, while you struggled.”

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