Chapter 213
Chapter 213: Fred nodded in agreement. “Yes, all behind us.”’ He then bowed his head and transferred all the gathered evidence to Belinda’s phone. They remained in the fast food joint, sorting through the evidence and conversing until half-past ten. Fred faced an eleven o’clock curfew at his dormitory. Reluctantly, Belinda drove him back to his school. After parting with Fred, Belinda walked to her apartment alone. The night air was brisk. She stretched out her arms, embracing the cool breeze as she walked, filled with a newfound sense of liberation. “Belinda.”’ As she stepped out of the elevator and unlocked her door, a deep male voice called from behind. Belinda hesitated, then turned around. There stood Darren, his posture uneasy. “Darren.”’ With a frown, Belinda shut the door and leaned back against it. “It’s late, Darren. What brings you here?”’ Darren’s complexion faded when he realized she wasn’t inviting him inside. “Well”¦ I caught the news,”’ he stammered, extending a jewelry box toward her. “I thought I’d give you this”¦ a sort of divorce present.”’ Belinda made no move to accept it. “Belinda.”’ Darren managed a forced smile. “I get that you’re upset about the cat. That was my fault, but”¦”’ He hesitated. “We still need to collaborate at the studio. Can’t we at least stay professional? We’ve got your design project to wrap up in three months, remember?”’ At that, Belinda’s stance softened, and she took the jewelry box from his hand. “Fine, I’ll accept it. But”¦”’ She arched an eyebrow. “When do I start at the studio?”’ is your fiction sanctuary Darren was taken aback. “You can begin whenever you like, but”¦ don’t you think you should take a break?”’ he suggested, mindful of her recent divorce. “There’s no need for a break.”’ Belinda dismissed it with a wave of her hand. “Can I start tomorrow?”’ Darren paused, visibly surprised, then nodded. “Sure, but”¦”’ He hesitated before continuing, “I talked with the leadership today. Your divorce from Kristopher has caused quite a buzz, and with the Cox family venturing into the jewelry market”¦”’ He looked at her intently. “To sidestep any potential issues, it might be best if your designs are published under a different name. Are you okay with that?”’ “No problem,”’ Belinda agreed swiftly, not minding this proposal at all. “Just use Joyce Scott for my works from now on.”’ Darren furrowed his brow. “Joyce Scott”¦ Is she someone you know?”’ He recalled hearing the name during his college days, mentioned casually by Belinda and Madisyn. Belinda stuffed a jewelry box into her bag and buried her hands in her pockets. “She was a close friend. I actually met Madisyn through her back in our university days.”’ Darren’s eyebrows shot up. “Was she a student at our university too? I don’t remember seeing her with you.”’…