Chapter 118
Chapter 118: “Cathy, you really shouldn’t have come here without Grandpa’s approval.”’ Kristopher gently handed a tissue to Cathy as he positioned himself between her and Anthony. Though he spoke with mild disapproval, his tone carried a soothing warmth. His protective stance toward Cathy was so clear that it was unmistakable to anyone who wasn’t blind. As this unfolded, Allen instinctively raised his eyebrows and glanced at Belinda. Feeling his gaze, Belinda simply shrugged and indicated with her eyes that she was uninvolved in the situation. “Stanley!”’ Already irritated by Cathy’s tears, Anthony grew even more irate as he witnessed Kristopher’s defense of her. Furious, Anthony banged his cane and said, “Call the security guard at the gate! I want to know who allowed this woman inside!”’ Stanley hurried in from outside, mopping his brow and shaking as he said, “Actually, the security did attempt to stop Miss Miller, explaining she wasn’t permitted to enter, but”¦”’ Anthony slammed his cane down and barked, “But what?! Tell me!”’ “But”¦”’ Stanley’s gaze briefly flicked to Cathy, safely behind Kristopher, and he inhaled deeply before saying, “The security mentioned that Miss Miller leveraged her anticipated status as Mrs. Cox”¦ questioning whether they valued their jobs. The security guard had seen Miss Miller under Mr. Cox’s protection when she left the mansion a few days ago, so they believed her claim and allowed her entry”¦”’ By the time he finished, Stanley was visibly sweating. “Sir, the security guard is new and wasn’t aware of the full context. Please”¦”’ “So Miss Miller used the identity of the future Mrs. Cox to get in.”’ Stanley’s report was interrupted by Allen. Your next tale lives on g ‘„“s, com Allen stood casually against a carved rosewood bookshelf, arms folded across his chest. “I just overheard Anthony refer to Belinda as Kristopher’s wife, the true Mrs. Cox,”’ Allen said, looking at Belinda to provoke a reaction. “Did you two get a divorce? Where are the divorce papers?”’ Belinda’s expression tightened. Ever since she resolved to let go of her marriage to Kristopher, she had been diligently avoiding any direct clashes with both Kristopher and Cathy. She had no interest in entangling herself in their relationship. Yet, under these circumstances, with Allen pressing the question, she was compelled to reply, albeit hesitantly, “Not yet.”’ “Not yet, huh?”’ Allen lingered on the words meaningfully, his eyes shifting to Cathy, still shielded by Kristopher. “They’re not even divorced, and Miss Miller is already playing the role of Mrs. Cox?”’ Cathy’s face blanched immediately. Instinctively, Cathy reached behind to clutch Kristopher’s sleeve, her voice wavering as though she were on the brink of tears. “I never claimed that”¦ I just told the security I was frantic and needed to find Kristopher. Maybe they’ve seen me with him before and assumed I’d be Mrs. Cox someday, so they let me in”¦ I never aspired to be Mrs. Cox, nor would I ever say such a thing”¦”’ As she spoke, she clutched her chest in a gesture of distress, her eyes pleading with Kristopher. “Kristopher, you know me better than anyone does, and I couldn’t have said those words.”’ Kristopher glanced at Cathy’s teary eyes and her hand over her heart, pausing momentarily. He then turned and shot a cold look at Allen and Belinda. “You’re really going to believe the rumors of a security guard?”’ Anthony’s gaze hardened as he turned to Stanley. “Bring the security guard here to confront Miss Miller directly!”’ With that, he moved to sit on the main sofa. “I want to find out whether it’s the guard I pay well who’s lying, or if it’s this delicate Miss Miller who’s being dishonest!”’…