?<strong>Chapter 48:</strong>


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


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


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


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


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


    Belinda nced 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 reiming the lobster and returning it to Baker’s te.


    Baker froze, visibly surprised by the interruption.


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


    Car 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 Car to know about her seafood allergy. Earlier, seeing the blue lobster on her te had felt absurd—her own father was oblivious to such an important detail.


    Kylee’s face darkened slightly as she observed the interaction. Car’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!”


    Car responded with a yful scowl. “Don’t spout such nonsense!”


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


    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.


    Car, ignoring the exchange, gently ced some crispy salt and pepper ribs on Belinda’s te. Belinda offered her a warm smile.


    “Thank you,” she said.


    Car 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 ins General Hospital. Why is that?”


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


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