?<strong>Chapter 175:</strong>


    Once Belinda was seated, she raised her eyes to look at Baker, waiting for him to speak.


    Without any preamble, Baker began, “Kylee told me aboutst night’s incident at the bar.”


    Belinda’s eyebrows twitched at the mention, yet she kept silent.


    After a pause, Baker asked, “What’s your take on Lillie’s interest in Darren and her intentions?”


    Belinda scoffed lightly, a faint smirk appearing on her face. “That’s just a pipe dream. She will never win Darren’s heart.”


    Baker’s face clouded over. He was clearly unhappy with her words.


    He said sharply, “Darren is single, and so is Lillie. Why couldn’t they be together? Darren may be a catch, but Lillie has her merits, too.”


    Not interested in dragging the conversation, Belinda cut to the chase, saying, “What are you really trying to say?”


    Bakerposed himself, his tone bing earnest. “I think what Kylee said before is right. If Darren were to pair with Lillie, it could strengthen the tie between our family and the Thomas family. You should support Lillie in this.”


    Belinda let out a derisiveugh. She felt that it was absurd that Baker had such thoughts.


    She said, “I already told everyonest night, Darren has his heart set on someone else. Lillie and he are a nonstarter. She needs to let go of her idea of being together with Darren.”


    Yet, Baker countered firmly, “But how can you be sure that Darren won’t fall for Lillie? If Lillie tries and fails, then so be it. But giving up without an attempt? How is that fair?”


    Belinda stood her ground. “There’s no point in trying!”


    Baker’s expression darkened immediately. His anger palpable, he stared at Belinda with suspicion.


    “Could it be… You have feelings for Darren, too?” he asked.


    Belinda furrowed her eyebrows immediately. She met Baker’s questioning look with a frosty re and replied firmly, “That’s absurd! Why would you even suggest that?” This notion seemed preposterous to her. Was Baker out of his mind?


    Baker said, “If you have no feelings for him, then why oppose the idea of helping Lillie get together with him? Wouldn’t their union benefit our family?”


    Belinda let out a dismissive scoff upon hearing that.


    She said, “So, you think because I don’t support this, I must be interested in Darren? Using that logic, if someone wanted to court you and I didn’t support it, would that mean I have feelings for you?”


    Baker was rendered momentarily at a loss for words, his face darkening.


    Before he could gather his thoughts and respond, Belinda asserted, “I’ll make myself clear once more. I won’t help Lillie in pursuing Darren. She shouldn’t even think about using me to get close to him. If there is nothing else you want to say now, I’m leaving.”


    With that deration, she rose from her seat.


    “Wait!” Baker suddenly said.


    Belinda paused, looking at him, her face an unreadable mask.


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