Chapter 20
Chapter 20: Kristopher turned his head, casting a chilly glance at Belinda. “Mrs. Cox, since you remember that you had a miscarriage less than a month ago, why don’t you go back and rest early? You shouldn’t be here, wrapped in the arms of indecent men.”’ With those words, he turned and walked away swiftly. “Who are you calling indecent?”’ the young man called out, his voice rising as he glared at Kristopher’s departing figure. “You don’t have to pretend to care about her well-being. I’ll look after her!”’ Kristopher paused momentarily, then resumed walking without turning back. “You don’t truly care for her, but”””’ “Enough.”’ Belinda frowned, cutting him off. “Don’t say any more.”’ “You don’t even know who I am. There’s no need to provoke him on my behalf.”’ “Miss.”’ The young man diverted his gaze and offered her a smile. “I’m aware your name is Belinda.”’ He then extended his hand towards her. “I’m Fred Schmidt. Madisyn paid me five hundred bucks to say those words.”’ Belinda paused, a laugh escaping her lips. “No wonder.”’ She was well aware of her own allure; it was hardly enough to have a young man she’d just met go to such lengths for her. However, if Madisyn was behind this, it all clicked into place. “Thank you.”’ Taking a deep breath, she placed a comforting hand on Fred’s shoulder. “Where’s Madisyn?”’ Find your adventure at (uso de y cirÃÂlica) Fred’s cheeks turned a rosy hue under her amused gaze. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he replied, “Madisyn’s at the bar, waiting for you.”’ Raising an eyebrow playfully at him, Belinda smiled. “Let’s go then. I owe you a drink.”’ Turning around, she strode away. Fred remained rooted to the spot, watching her retreating form with undisguised admiration in his deep, dark eyes. Truth be told, even if Madisyn hadn’t offered him money, he would have sought her out. “Belinda!”’ As Belinda stepped out of the private room, Madisyn leaped to her feet, waving energetically. “Over here!”’ With a sly grin, Belinda took a seat beside her. “Really, Madisyn? Only five hundred to persuade someone as young and good-looking as Fred to woo a divorced woman like me? That’s a bit low, don’t you think?”’ Madisyn chuckled, passing a juice to Belinda with a smirk. “The market price is two to three hundred tops. I handed Fred five hundred. It was nearly double!”’ Leaning in close, her voice a conspiratorial whisper, she added, “Did you see Kristopher’s face when he left? Tsk, tsk. He even ignored his friend Elliott’s hello.”’ She nudged Belinda playfully. “So, has he agreed to the divorce yet?”’ Belinda signaled the bartender for a cocktail for Fred and stirred her juice absentmindedly. “His grandpa Anthony’s birthday bash is in three days. He wants to wait until after that.”’ Madisyn rolled her eyes. “He’s just making up excuses to avoid the divorce! This man is utterly despicable. He’s with Cathy now, yet he’s stalling on the divorce. Mark my words, after Anthony’s birthday, he’ll find another reason to delay.”’ She glanced at Belinda again. “Are you really going to Anthony’s birthday party? Rosie and Maggie will be there too. After all the years they’ve mistreated you, I doubt they’ll go easy on you this time. You’ve just recovered from a miscarriage. Are you sure you’re up for this?”’ Madisyn’s words reminded Belinda that Kristopher’s mother, Rosie Brown, and his younger sister, Maggie Cox, had given her a hard time. Lowering her gaze, she took a sip of her ice-cold juice. “I’ll be there. In the past, I overlooked Rosie and Maggie’s behavior to keep peace with Kristopher and avoid family drama.”’ She set down the straw and gave Madisyn a faint smile. “This time, I won’t let them push me around.”’…