Chapter 443


    Belinda was a force to be reckoned with—a true "tomboy" who did things her own way. When she


    had decided to confess her feelings, she couldn''t care less about the setting.


    That''s right, Belinda wanted toy her heart bare to Ike.


    Their time together had deepened their bond, and Belinda felt herself falling for him—hard. She was


    a straight shooter, always forthright with her feelings. Having seen her own heart clearly, she was


    determined to confess to Ike. No more guessing games or beating around the bush—that was just a


    waste of time.


    So, as Lucinda dragged Stefan away, Belinda stepped forward and handed Ike a bouquet of


    flowers, her sharp eyes twinkling with warmth. "Ike, I know it''s usually the guys who give flowers,"


    she said. "But I think a nice bouquet sets the scene for a confession."


    "Lucy told me you''re quite the green thumb. Thought you might like these."


    Belinda had learned from her sister that Ike had a soft spot for nts, so she boldly bought flowers


    for her confession.


    "Ike, we''ve known each other for a while, and we get along great. I really enjoy our time together


    and I want you to be my boyfriend. I''m looking at this with marriage in mind. Are you in?"


    Ike''s grin split his face.


    This must be what being surrounded by happiness felt like.


    He eagerly took the bouquet from Belinda, and in turn, handed her his own flowers, saying, "Well,


    Belinda, it''s funny you should say that. I''ve been wanting to tell you I''ve fallen for you a long time


    ago. I''d be honored to be your boyfriend, with an eye toward marriage, of course."


    Truth be told, if Belinda asked him to head to city hall right then and there for a marriage certificate,


    he''d leap at the chance.


    "Ike, I''ve got a demanding job, and I won''t have much time to spend with you. Our dating life might


    have to rely on phone calls, and dates will have to fit into my hectic schedule. You mind?"


    When two hearts resonate, it''s a joyful thing.


    But Belinda wanted toy it all out clearly.


    The Bishop Group was arger operation than Ike''spany, and Belinda, the boss, was busier


    and more worn out than he was. She wasn''t one to y the dainty damsel.


    Dating her might indeed mean relying on a smartphone to keep in touch, and squeezing in the


    asional dinner date around her packed calendar.


    "I know, and it won''t bother me," Ike assured her, understanding the demands of her career.


    Only then did Belinda hand over a bag containing a new outfit and a tie. "For you, my boyfriend."


    Ike took the bag with the new clothes, his smile broader than ever.


    Meanwhile, Lucinda, who had been spying on them, turned to herpanion and remarked,


    "Doesn''t it feel like my brother and Belinda are sealing a business deal rather than confessing love?


    If it weren''t for my brother''s radiant smile, I wouldn''t believe they were actually being romantic."


    Stefan pulled her away, saying, "Everyone has their own way of expressing love. Belinda is just


    being herself, and since your brother has fallen for her, he''s prepared for what that entails. Their


    marriage will likely be the same, but that doesn''t mean they''re without emotion. Some people don''t


    express love with words; it shows in their actions and the little things in life."


    "You''re right," Lucinda conceded. "Now that they''re official, I can finally tell my parents that my


    brother is off the market."


    Their mother had always been pushing for marriage.


    Now with her married, and her brother taken, their mother would surely be overjoyed.


    "It''s a pity though, my other brother and Darlene have no spark. I guess my hope of having the


    Bishop sisters as sisters-inw is dashed," Lucinda mused, her matchmaking inclinations ring up


    again just as she celebrated one brother''s escape from singledom.


    The couple made their way up to the penthouse suite, where Eric Anderson had thoughtfully


    prepared a meal that was still piping hot, clearly timed perfectly.


    "Keith has a soft spot for that mysteriousdy who helped him. If we could find out who she is, your


    sister-inw situation would be settled," Stefanmented as he served his wife.


    "But she wore a mask, so she might be hard to track down."


    Lucinda remembered the portrait Keith had drawn of the mysteriousdy. She felt a sense of


    familiarity, certain she had seen her before but couldn''t ce who it was.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    "I still prefer Darlene as my sister-inw. She seems more than just the gentle soul she appears to


    be. I''ve seen a sharpness in her eyes I''m not imagining. She''s probably ying possum."


    Lucinda had a knack for reading people.


    Stefan chuckled. "If that mysteriousdy turned out to be Darlene, your wish would be granted."


    Lucinda paused, "Right. Why didn''t I connect Darlene with the mysteriousdy?"


    Now it was Stefan''s turn to be speechless,ughing, "Lucy, I was just making a casual remark. Ms.


    Darlene, an ethereal creature with a gentle and delicate demeanor, hardly seems like the type to


    ovep with a skilled and mysterious vignte."


    "But I told you, Darlene might be ying a role. Despite Belinda''s protection, after all they''ve been


    through, I can''t believe Darlene would remain na?ve and innocent."


    Lucinda, with her rich imagination and love for storytelling, now firmly believed Darlene was the


    mysteriousdy who had aided her brother.


    "The Bishop family only has two daughters, Belinda and Darlene. If Darlene had training in self-


    defense, Belinda would surely know."


    Lucinda rolled her eyes, "Come on, everyone has their secrets. Belinda''s swamped with work, it''s


    not out of the question that Darlene''s keeping something from her."


    "Alright, alright, you''ve got a point," he conceded.


    Stefan loaded another helping onto Lucinda''s te, his voice dripping with affection, "Let''s eat up,


    honey. After you''re done, you can rest here for a bit before I drive you back to the office. Besides,


    you''re about to head back to Skywatch, right? Revealing your identity now wouldn''t be the end of


    the world. My dear wife, you''re so close yet feel so far away. If some blind fool takes a shine to you


    and starts courting you, I''ll be green with jealousy."


    Lucinda gave a self-deprecating chuckle, "With this hideous makeup on? I doubt anyone would be


    blind enough to chase after me."


    But as she thought of that colleague who had been all too eagertely, a flicker of guilt passed over


    her.


    Stefan, sharp as a tack, caught the fleeting look of unease on Lucinda''s face. Even as she quickly


    composed herself, it was toote; her husband had spotted it.


    "Lucy," he said, his tone sharpening slightly, "is someone at the office hitting on you?"