Chapter 114
Chapter 114: “Now?”’ Belinda asked, gazing down at her bruised leg with a frown. “Does it really have to be now?”’ Though her injuries were minor, they still pained her whenever she moved. Marlene sighed, her voice tinged with embarrassment. “Yes, it seems it must be now.”’ Hearing the hesitation in Marlene’s voice, Belinda sighed in return. “Alright, ask her lawyer to call me.”’ The call from the lawyer came shortly thereafter. As she continued to apply ointment to her leg, Belinda frowned deeper and scheduled a meeting with the lawyer. Once everything was arranged, her curiosity got the better of her. “What exactly is this cooperation about?”’ she asked. The lawyer smiled and answered, “You’ll find out at our meeting.”’ After ending the call and while still tending to her wound, Belinda mulled over the possible nature of their discussion. What, she wondered, could two individuals battling advanced gastric cancer have to collaborate on? Perhaps something as morbid as choosing their final resting places? A few hours later, Belinda arrived at the meeting place as agreed and met the lawyer. “My client would like you to share your medical records with her,”’ the lawyer, Cyril Tucker, explained as they sat in a private dining room in Nawrin. Cyril, dressed sharply in a suit, handed over a document. “She needs the medical record of a gastric cancer patient to disguise her actual health condition. We’ve examined the records at Peace Hospital, and yours is the ideal candidate.”’ Belinda raised her eyebrows, took the document, and looked up in surprise. “But doesn’t she have the same illness? Why use my medical records?”’ 1’‚¦ Cyril adjusted his glasses, looking somewhat perplexed himself. “I’m not entirely sure. It could be that she wants to keep her real condition a secret from certain people. Given her high-profile position and the scrutiny she’s under, she probably feels she has no other option.”’ Belinda frowned, pondering the implications. “I see,”’ she said slowly. If the woman had enemies, using the medical records of a terminally ill patient might allow her to mask her true state effectively. It could indeed deceive others. “Miss Nelson,”’ Cyril began, gesturing toward the document on the table. Belinda, without raising any objections, watched as he pointed out specific terms. “We’ve brokered a deal with the hospital. By signing here, your medical records will be transferred to her possession. And don’t worry, your treatment will continue as usual. She will also take care of all your medical expenses. However, there is a stipulation: you must neither investigate her identity nor mention to anyone that she is using your medical records. In exchange, she will provide a generous monthly payment to you.”’ Cyril then directed her attention to the signature line. “If everything is to your satisfaction, please sign here.”’ Belinda’s expression grew thoughtful as she reviewed the document once more. After a moment, she picked up the pen but hesitated, looking up at Cyril with resolve. “I have one condition before I proceed,”’ she stated firmly. “Please, go ahead,”’ Cyril encouraged, giving her his full attention. Taking a deep breath, Belinda met his gaze squarely. “I require mutual anonymity. If she is to remain unknown to me, the same must apply to her regarding my identity. It’s only fair that she also remains in the dark about who I am.”’…