Chapter 12
After delivering her line, Kate gracefully turned back and continued browsing the second–floor gowns.
Her calm defiance made the manager view her in a new light, but seeing Alfred’s expression and knowing his temper, the manager felt compelled to act. “Mr. Davidson, I’ll go upstairs right now and ask Miss Sutton to leave.”
Alfred’s gaze was intense, his lips a thin line, offering no indication of what he was thinking.
As the manager started up the stairs, Alfred suddenly spoke. “She’s right. You’re open for business, and every customer should be treated with respect. The staff at Aura Supreme could use same serious improvement.
With that, he wheeled himself toward the elevator.
Alfred and Belinda were old acquaintances, and after his accident left him in a wheelchair, Belinda had an elevator installed in the shop specifically for his convenience.
Alfred’s words left the staff visibly tense, but none dared to respond.
The sales associate who had originally attended to Kate looked nervously at her colleagues and the manager. Feeling a sense of responsibility, she decided to follow Kate to the second floor.
A few minutes later. Alfred knocked on the general manager’s office door
“Come in Belinda called out, not realizing who it was.
When Alfred wheeled in. Belinda was pleasantly surprised. She quickly stopped what she was doing, moved around her desk, and gently took over pushing his wheelchair as his bodyguards stepped back, closing the door behind them.
“Alfred, what brings you here today?” Belinda asked, dressed sharply in a tailored suit with her short hair adding to her polished, capable
appearance.
She wasn’t classically beautiful, but she was striking, with an aura of effortless elegance and nobility in every movement.
“Just passing by Elite Street and thought I’d drop in, Alfred lied smoothly, not a trace of hesitation in his voice.
Belinda smiled. “I’m flattered”
She pushed Alfred over to the sofa and asked. “Do you need a hand sitting down??
“No. I’ve got it,” Alfred said, gripping his wheelchair and painfully lowering himself onto the sofa, Even such a simple action left him sweating, his handsome face lense with the effort.
The doctor had said that with persistent rehab, he might walk again in a few years. But Alfred had given up for a while, letting despair take over
His family, desperate to see him recover, had arranged a marriage, hoping it might restore his will to live. But no one had expected Kate tric to commit suicide at the time
with
Alfred’s gaze darkened for a moment, but he pushed the thought aside. “Whatever she’s done, she’s my wife now. Only I have the right to mess w her. No one else gets to, he thought
Would you like something to drink?” Belinda offered.
“No, thanks.” Alfred declined. Drinking too much meant more trips to the bathroom, and with his limited mobility, he tried to avoid that.
Belinda understood. She knew how much his legs troubled him. His trousers couldn’t hide the fact that his legs, though still slender, were too weak to support him. She could see how much effon it took for him to simply sit on the sofa.
“Belinda,” Alfred called out.
s?” the responded, sitting g down across from him.
He said, “Kate’s upstairs on the second floor, picking out some gowns. Could you give her a hand and help her choose a few that are suitable?“
Alfred request caught Belinda off guard. She even made a show of checking her ears, as if to confirm she hadn’t heard him wrong.
“You heard right. That’s exactly what I said Alfred confirmed
“You really agreed to marry Kate?” Behnda aked cautiously.
MARCAS
PARA
ELEGIR
DE LUNES A DOMINGO
COMPRAR ANGKA
LETAS VALIDAS HASTA EL 3 DE OCTURNE
0x
Chapter 12
Everyone in their circle knew about the Davidson family’s plans to form an alliance with the Suttons through marriage. Belinda, with her wide network, was well aware of the situation.
Alfred simply replied, “She turned down the proposal.”
“But after she tried to kill herself, she changed her mind, he muttered to himself, though he didn’t share that part with Bellinda.
He figured the Sulton family didn’t know either and assumed that maybe Kate wanted to keep it a secret, which was fine by him.
Belinda took a moment, then said, “Theard some rumors that Kate fell for Chris at first sight, swearing she’d marry him and no one else”
Alfred’s expression darkened, prompting Belinda to quickly add, “But there are plenty of wonderful women in Sherpsel who genuinely love you for who you are, willing to marry you without asking for anything in return.
Alfred scoffed. “Who’d want to marry a cripple! If I hadn’t had the accident. Belinda, would you have married met Would you now, knowing the state I’m in!”
Belinda hesitated. “Alfred, we’re just friends”
Alfred scoffed again. He knew all too well about Belinda’s long–time crush on him. But after feeling things out and realizing he didn’t share her feelings, she had backed off.
Belinda’s face flushed wi
| with embarrassment at his response, her words caught in her throat. She couldn’t afford to offend Alfred; even with all her high–profile connections, none were as significant to her as he was. So when she realized he didn’t feel the same, she settled for maintaining a friendship, seeing Alfred more as a safety net.
“If Kate rejected the marriage, why do you still want me to help her pick a gown Belinda asked.
Alfred stared at her. “You don’t want to help?”
Belinda quickly responded, “No, no, of course, I’ll help. You hardly ever ask for anything, so I’ll make sure to assist
“She’s still upstairs. Go help her pick something nice, and make sure to give her a discount. She grew up in the countryside, so money might be tight for her, Alfred instructed, his tone firm.
Belinda laughed. “If you ask, I’d even give it to her for free. Though, I think that might come across as a bit insulting.”
Curious to see what kind of woman could reject Alfred’s proposal and still have his favor, Belinda headed to the second floor.
“And by the way, your staff has been giving her the cold shoulder. Even your manager’s been less than welcoming, Alfred added.
Belinda’s expression turned serious. T’ll handle it. Keeping them around would ruin Aura Supreme’s reputation.
Alfred fell silent.
“TII go help Kate pick a gown before she leaves,” Belinda said, ready to head out.
Alfred remained quiet, but as she reached the office door, he suddenly murmured, Thank you, Belinda.”
Belinda smiled. “Alfred, in just a short while, you’ve already bent a lot of rules for Kate
Alfred’s gaze darkened, his thin lips pressed into a tight line. He said nothing more. She’s my wife. Of course I’d break rules for ber. Besides, she needs to look perfect for the party–not to embarrass me!
His thoughts were purely self–serving
H
