Chapter 206
Chapter 206: Elliott was visibly sweating. He had noticed Belinda near the Ferrari earlier but hadn’t made the connection. He assumed she was simply admiring the car, perhaps showing off a bit. Now, with Belinda calling and his own phone ringing, it all clicked. The “stunning model”’ who had returned the car was none other than Belinda herself! Realizing this, beads of sweat formed on Elliott’s forehead. “Yeah, why aren’t you picking it up?”’ Cathy joined in, her eyes darting to Elliott’s phone, which shared Kristopher’s ringtone. She chuckled. “Is that your girlfriend calling, Elliott?”’ Elliott wiped the sweat from his brow, clumsily ending the phone call. Meanwhile, a harsh, synthetic voice echoed from Belinda’s phone: “The number you have dialed is busy. Please try again later”¦”’ Instantly, Belinda grasped the whole situation. Madisyn had only been aware that the car’s owner was some affluent figure from Nawrin when she had borrowed it. Little had Belinda expected that this car was actually Elliott’s, who happened to be Kristopher’s lifelong friend. Though Belinda had encountered Elliott a few times, their connection was superficial. Now, as she watched Elliott cut his call while standing beside Kristopher, her brow furrowed in hesitation, debating whether to return the car. Elliott had already ended his hurried phone conversation, and by now, Kristopher had deduced the entire scenario. With a derisive snort, he shot Elliott a frosty look. “So, this is the stunning, single model you mentioned?”’ A flicker of mortification passed over Elliott’s features. “I never imagined it would be her”¦”’ He sighed, bowing his head slightly. “Had I known, I wouldn’t have pressed her to return the car right now”¦”’ “Return the car?”’ Cathy, ever alert, seized upon the phrase. She had been eager to shift the focus of their conversation toward the car. It was a gift Kristopher had apparently bought for her. “Why not now?”’ she muttered to herself, seeing an opportunity to assert her point in front of Belinda. Despite Belinda’s prowess in racing, what did it matter? Kristopher had chosen to purchase the finest female sports car in the world, not for Belinda, but for her, Cathy! Lost in thought, Cathy turned to Elliott with a grin and inquired in a gentle tone, “Mr. Russo, which car are you referring to?”’ is your gateway to fiction Elliott hesitated briefly before nodding toward the red Ferrari parked nearby. “That one over there”¦”’ “That’s a stunning car!”’ Cathy burst out, her excitement palpable as she released Kristopher’s arm and darted toward the vehicle. As she breezed past Belinda, Cathy’s shoulder bumped hard against her. Given Belinda’s weakened state from her illness, the slight nudge had her teetering dangerously. Kristopher noticed her falter and instinctively stepped forward to help. Meanwhile, a few steps back, Allen noticed as well but hesitated when a friend clasped his arm, advising in a low voice, “Stay out of it with her.”’ Allen stopped, conflicted, but eventually choosing not to intervene. At that moment, a figure clad in a server’s uniform went straight for Belinda. It was Fred. Though Belinda managed to regain her balance by clutching a nearby lamp post, Fred quickly reached her side, his hand gently supporting her shoulder. “Belinda, are you alright?”’ he asked, concern coloring his voice. The entire incident made Kristopher’s eyes narrow sharply. His expression darkened as he discreetly stepped back….