Callie saw Belinda and immediately put on a cold face. "What do we have to talk about?"
Belinda replied, "Let's make a deal. If you give up Shane to me, I can help you become a full-time doctor at the Second Military District General Hospital. I remember you once said your dream was to become an attending physician there."
"That was in the past," Callie refused outright.
Her dream hadn't changed.
And it never would.
She just had no interest in dealing with Belinda.
There would never be any cooperation between them.
All Callie felt for Belinda was hatred.
Belinda wasn't giving up. "I know you hate me. What's done is done. Even if you kill me, it won't bring your child back. Why not use me to achieve your dream?"
Belinda knew Callie had miscarried. Usually, with twins, if one is lost, the other is hard to keep. Naturally, she assumed Callie had lost both her babies.
Callie looked at her and said, "Belinda, not everyone is like you, willing to do anything to achieve their goals."
After saying that, she turned and walked away. Belinda bit her lip, feeling deeply resentful. She didn't want to miss out on Shane. Clearly, fate had given her a chance. She had taken her place that night.
She should have become Shane Robinson's wife. The Young Mistress of the Robinson family. To possess that mesmerizing man. But all of it was ruined by Callie Norris.
She had taken everything that should have belonged to her!
"Callie Norris, stop pretending. I know you don't like Shane. You were just acting all close to him to spite me. The rift between Shane and me is because of misunderstandings. He still has feelings for me."
Callie looked back at Belinda, clearly irritated.
As she gazed at Belinda, a sudden thought crossed her mind!
Maybe she could use this woman?
If Shane and Belinda reconciled, could she then leave smoothly?
With this thought, Callie Norris began to ponder.
"Do you like Shane?" Callie asked, already knowing the answer.
Belinda sneered and shot back, "Don't you?"
Callie felt a pang in her heart. She had indeed been infatuated with Shane for a while.
But now, she was clear-headed.
Shane, that man, probably didn't know what love was.
She had just been blinded by the little bits of kindness Shane had shown her.
But now, she saw things clearly.
"I'm not interested in him. In fact, I can help you," Callie said, swallowing her bitterness.
Because the child she had lost could never come back.
But she wanted to protect the one she was carrying, and to do that, she needed to get away from Shane.
For now, she would have to team up with Belinda, even if it meant being 'partners in crime.'
Belinda was skeptical.
After all, she and Callie were like oil and water.
"Would you really be that kind?"
Callie replied, "If you don't believe me, I won't force you."
With that, Callie turned to leave.
She knew Belinda well enough.
Belinda must be head over heels for Shane. Otherwise, why would she go as far as faking a pregnancy?
"Wait a minute," Belinda stepped forward, blocking Callie's way.
Belinda's hesitation was within Callie's expectations. She knew Belinda wouldn't want to miss any chance to be with Shane.
Sure enough...
Belinda had come to find Callie because she overheard Callie and Gabriel talking in the hospital room. It seemed like Callie wanted to leave, but she wasn't entirely sure.
So, Belinda came to test the waters with Callie.
Now that Callie had agreed, it looked like she really did want to leave Shane.
Callie was leaving. Maybe it was fate giving Belinda another chance, and she wasn't about to let it slip away.
"I believe you, and I apologize for what happened before," Belinda said, willing to bend and stretch to achieve her goal.
After all that drama with Callie, she still had the nerve to show her face. You had to admit, her skin was thicker than a brick wall.
Callie just wanted to leave. She knew Belinda wasn't genuinely apologizing, but she didn't call her out on it.
"Here's the deal. I'll find out what Shane likes and tell you. Whether you can win his heart again is up to you," Callie said.
"Alright."
"What do you want in return?" Belinda Ayers asked.
Callie shrugged. "If you can make him fall for you, consider that my reward."
Belinda was brimming with confidence. "I'll definitely make him love me."
Callie gave her a brief, indifferent glance.
In her mind, she thought, "You want to be with that violent man? He'll beat you five times a week."
She could already foresee the miserable life Belinda would have with Shane!
...
Callie stood on the hospital steps, trying to hail a cab.
People were still pointing fingers at her, thanks to the video Gianna had posted online, stirring up public opinion.
She ignored everything around her.
She knew that in moments like these, she needed to have a strong heart.
She straightened her back and stood tall.
Her demeanor made people question the authenticity of the video.
Would someone with a guilty conscience act so boldly and openly?
A taxi approached.
Callie walked forward, opened the door, and got in.
It was easy to catch a taxi at the hospital entrance.
This was a busy area, and many taxi drivers specifically came here for business.
Once inside, she fastened her seatbelt and gave the address of the villa.
...
She entered the house.
Mrs. Ford was cleaning the windows. Seeing Callie return, she hurried over. "Are you alright? I was so scared when I saw you faint and being taken to the hospital."
Callie Norris replied, "I'm fine. Sorry to have worried you."
Mrs. Ford sighed helplessly. "You really are..."
"I've put all your clothes back in the closet."
Mrs. Ford knew that Shane was probably angry this time because Callie had packed her bags to leave.
After all, it was Shane who had asked her to organize those clothes.
"You know Mr. Robinson's temper, so don't provoke him. Don't tell him you packed your clothes because you were planning to go on a trip."
Mrs. Ford was trying to persuade her.
She believed that since Callie had married into the family, she should fulfill her duties as a wife.
Callie had no way to argue. "You know about my marriage with him..."
"Oh, feelings can be nurtured!" Mrs. Ford didn't want Callie to leave. She liked her very much.
Moreover, she thought Shane needed a woman by his side.
Callie smiled but said nothing more.
She couldn't explain.
The fewer people who knew about her pregnancy, the safer she would be.
In her mind, the more people who knew, the more likely it would reach Shane's ears.
So, she had to keep a secret even from Mrs. Ford.
"Mrs. Ford," Callie said, pulling Mrs. Ford to sit on the couch.
Mrs. Ford was responsible for taking care of Shane's daily life in the villa and was certainly very familiar with his interests and hobbies.
Mrs. Ford smiled, "You look much more spirited."
Callie Norris smiled as well, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Mrs. Ford, since you take care of Shane, you must know his preferences well, right?"
Mrs. Ford blinked, seemingly surprised by the question. "Why do you ask?"
Callie Norris chuckled, "Mrs. Ford, didn't you say I should try to build a relationship with him? I need to know his likes and dislikes, don't I?" Mrs. Ford patted her hand approvingly. "That's the spirit!"
Knowing that Callie was eager to win Shane's favor, Mrs. Ford was more than willing to share everything she knew.
She told Callie everything she knew. "Besides work, Mr. Robinson enjoys outdoor activities. He doesn't like socializing much and prefers not to eat out, but sometimes he has to for business meetings..."
Callie grabbed a small notebook and started writing down everything Mrs. Ford said.
"What specific outdoor activities does he enjoy, and where does he go?" Callie asked.
"For that, you'll need to ask Henry. He knows better than I do," Mrs. Ford replied. "But I do know he likes light, healthy meals, especially stir-fried broccoli..."
Callie Norris wrote it down, "Got it."
"I'm going grocery shopping. Are you cooking dinner tonight?" Mrs. Ford asked, assuming that since Callie had asked, she must be planning to cook for Shane.
Callie thought to herself, there's no way she was going to cook for Shane.
"Maybe. He's not coming back tonight," Callie said.
Mrs. Ford asked, "How do you know?"
Callie smirked mischievously, "Just a guess."
Mrs. Ford, "..."
Callie excused herself, saying she was tired, and headed upstairs.
She took out her phone and sent a message to Belinda: [Shane likes light food, especially stir-fried broccoli. You might want to learn how to cook it.]
After sending the message, she lay down, intending to stretch.
Suddenly, the door swung open. She quickly sat up again!
"Who is it?"
Mrs. Ford paused, surprised by Callie's intense reaction.
"It's just me."
Callie patted her chest, letting out a sigh of relief.
She had thought it was Shane.
Thank goodness it wasn't him.
"Why are you so nervous?" Mrs. Ford asked.
Callie smiled, "I'm just a bit on edge."
Mrs. Ford nodded in understanding, thinking that Callie must be traumatized from being locked up.
Although Callie had done something wrong, Shane locking her up for three days without food or water was indeed excessive. It was no wonder she was so jumpy.
"I'll make you something delicious to help you recover," Mrs. Ford said. "I came up to ask what you wanted to eat so I can buy the ingredients."
Callie Norris thought for a moment and said, "I'd like some dumplings."
Mrs. Ford chuckled, "Such a foodie."
"I'll head to the grocery store then." Mrs. Ford stomped down the stairs.
Callie watched Mrs. Ford's retreating figure. Her expression gradually turned serious. She couldn't shake off the feeling that she was taking advantage of Mrs. Ford's kindness.
She sighed softly. But she had no other choice. She was cornered and desperate. With a heavy heart, she lay down again.
Her phone buzzed with a new message.
It was from Belinda, asking what time Shane would get off work.
Callie stared at the message, wondering if Belinda was planning to make her move today.
Isn't she being a bit too hasty?
From what Callie knew, Belinda wasn't much of a cook. That woman was obsessed with her looks and would probably think that cooking fumes would ruin her skin!
Callie got up and went downstairs.
She decided to use the house phone to call Henry. But then she remembered that Henry hadn't returned to the office yet due to his car accident.
It seemed like she would have to go in person.
[I'll find out.]
After sending the message, she walked to the mirror to straighten her clothes. They were quite wrinkled, so she decided to take a shower since it was still early.
Feeling refreshed, she headed to the office. She didn't really want to see Shane. She just needed to find out his schedule.
Maybe, just maybe, luck was on her side.
In the lobby, the secretary spotted her.
Callie and Shane's relationship was not public. No one in the company knew about it, but the secretary did.
The secretary was loyal to Shane and would never let Callie's identity slip. Personally, she also didn't want Callie's identity to be revealed.
She walked over and asked, "Do you need something?" Callie smiled and asked, "I wanted to know, what time does President
Robinson get off work today?"
The secretary frowned, "Why do you want to know that?"
"Can't I ask?" Callie Norris turned and said, "I'll just ask someone else then..."
As she spoke, Callie Norris headed towards the elevator.
The secretary blocked her way, "President Robinson has no engagements tonight, but I don't know what time he'll get off work."
"Is that so?" Callie Norris said, "Thank you, I understand."
With that, she turned and walked away.
As she walked, she took out her phone and sent a message to Belinda Ayers, [He has no engagements tonight.]
The secretary was about to take the elevator when she saw Shane approaching.
Shane noticed Callie's back and was quite surprised.
However, his face remained as impassive as ever, a signature of his usual cool demeanor. "What is she doing here?"
The secretary answered honestly, "She came to ask if you had any engagements today and what time you would be leaving work. I told her you didn't have any, and then she left."
Shane wondered, Is she concerned about me? otherwise, why would she ask what time I'm leaving? unexpectedly, he felt a bit pleased. Feigning indifference, he said, "Got it."
Shane had initially planned not to go home today, but seeing her eagerness, he decided to head back early.
...
When Callie returned from the company, Mrs. Ford had already bought the groceries.
She was busy preparing in the kitchen.
Callie Norris walked over to help.
Mrs. Ford said, "You go rest. I can handle this."
Callie replied, "I'm fine, really. I feel quite energetic. Let me knead the dough!"
Mrs. Ford nodded, "Alright."
So, Mrs. Ford took charge of chopping the dumpling filling, while Callie kneaded the dough.
The two worked together seamlessly. Mrs. Ford had already prepared the dumpling filling, and Callie Norris had finished kneading the dough.
Next, Mrs. Ford would roll out the dumpling wrappers while Callie Norris would handle the wrapping.
Callie Norris wasn't very skilled at wrapping dumplings, so Mrs. Ford taught her.
After graduating, Callie had started working at a hospital, and the demanding job left her with little time to experience activities like this.
Now, doing it herself, she found it quite fun.
She compared her dumplings to Mrs. Ford's. Mrs. Ford's dumplings were delicate and beautiful, while hers, though not a complete disaster, were far from pretty—more like lumpy dough blobs with filling.
"Oh no, mine are so ugly. I won't even have an appetite later," Callie lamented.
Mrs. Ford chuckled, "Practice makes perfect."
Callie was smart and gradually picked up the technique.
Her dumplings began to look better and better.
Callie wrapped each dumpling with great care.
Mrs. Ford noticed her progress and dedication, thinking that Callie was putting in so much effort for Shane's sake.
After all, Callie had just asked her about Shane's preferences.
"You're doing this to please Shane, aren't you?"
Mrs. Ford chuckled with a knowing smile.
Callie, her head bowed and focused on making dumplings, didn't notice Mrs. Ford's expression. She asked, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you know how to make your husband happy. Making dumplings yourself, isn't that for him?"
At the doorway, Shane Robinson had just stepped in and overheard Mrs. Ford's words.
He paused, keenly listening for Callie Norris's response.
In the kitchen, Callie had no idea Shane was back.
But she understood Mrs. Ford's implication and couldn't really explain it away.
She sighed and joked, "You figured that out, huh?"
Mrs. Ford looked triumphant. "I'm not dumb, you know."
Callie laughed. She found Mrs. Ford utterly adorable.
Shane, standing at the doorway, couldn't help but think how lucky he was to have someone as kind and lovely as Mrs. Ford in his life.
He must have done something good in a past life to deserve such a blessing. In this lifetime, his character didn't deserve a good housekeeper like Mrs. Ford.
...
Shane stood at the doorway, feeling a jolt in his heart.
When Callie went to the office to ask about his schedule, he thought he was over thinking it.
But she really did it for him.
She went to the office to find out if he had any social engagements and what time he would get off work, probably worried he wouldn't come home for dinner.
She made dumplings by hand, just for him.
Maybe, just maybe, Callie actually liked him?
But she just wouldn't admit it to his face?
Thinking of this, Shane couldn't help but let a small smile creep onto his face.
It was a restrained and subtle smile.
Inside, his emotions were surging wildly. His steps became lighter and more light.
He walked upstairs.
In the kitchen, Callie and Mrs. Ford were almost done.
Callie was helping Mrs. Ford clean up, and the kitchen was quickly tidied. Callie then boiled water, preparing to cook the dumplings.
Mrs. Ford asked, "Should we wait a bit? Sir hasn't come back yet."
Callie thought to herself, I'm the one who wants to eat dumplings, who said anything about making them for Shane?
But she couldn't say it directly, so she hinted, "He might be back soon."
Mrs. Ford nodded. "Alright, you cook the dumplings, and I'll go bring in the laundry."
Callie nodded, "Okay."
The water started to boil, bubbling vigorously.
Callie tossed the dumplings into the pot.
The bubbles calmed down momentarily due to the dumplings but soon started to boil again.
Callie grabbed a bowl, preparing to fetch some cold water, when suddenly, a pair of hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her into an embrace.
She turned her head and saw it was Shane!
Her eyes widened in surprise!
Callie Norris was stunned. When did he come back?
How did she not hear him? And what time was it now?
Why was he back so early?
Callie tried to wriggle free. "Why are you back so early?"
Shane heard her and thought, is she pretending? He had asked around at the office about his schedule, and now she was acting like she knew nothing?
He bent down, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Finished work early, so I came back."
Callie could smell the faint scent of his body wash.
Had he already taken a shower?
She couldn't help but roll her eyes internally. Did he come back because he smelled the dumplings?
Shane buried his face in her neck, his voice deep. "Weren't you waiting for me?"
Callie was speechless.
Waiting for him?
How desperate would she have to be to wait for a man who wanted to starve her?
But Callie knew she couldn't afford to offend him right now.
The consequence of offending him would be his torment.
For the sake of the child in her belly, she couldn't go head-to-head with Shane.
She was an egg, and Shane was a diamond.
The consequence of a head-on clash was simple: she would die.
Her death wouldn't matter much, but her child hadn't even seen the world yet.
She smiled and nudged him, "Move aside, I need to get some water."
The water had boiled too vigorously, and the scalding liquid splashed out, landing on Callie Norris's hand.
It was hot.
Callie instinctively pulled her hand back.
"Hiss~"
Shane quickly checked her hand, asking anxiously, "Where did it burn you?"
Callie clutched her arm, "I'm fine."
Shane moved her hand away and saw the redness on her arm. Her fair skin made even the slightest redness clearly visible.
"It's all red, and you say you're fine?" Shane scolded.
Callie saw the concern in his eyes. But she quickly dismissed it. It had to be an illusion. How could he possibly care about her?
She lowered her gaze. "At least it didn't blister," Shane said.
Callie felt a slight stinging heat, but it wasn't too intense. She reached for a bowl to get some water.
Shane extended his hand and took the bowl from her, "Let me do it."
Callie looked at him, "Do you know how?" Shane felt like she was underestimating him. Couldn't he cook dumplings?
Did she really think so little of him? or did she see him as some kind of big idiot who couldn't do anything right?
"It's just adding cold water to the pot, right?"
Callie was surprised. So he did know a thing or two?
Since he was willing to do it, Callie didn't argue and handed him the bowl. "Go ahead!"
She stepped aside to avoid getting burned again.
Shane poured cold water into the pot, and the boiling water immediately stopped boiling.
He then took a spoon and started stirring the pot, trying to look like he knew what he was doing.
Callie wanted to remind him that stirring dumplings like that would break their skins.
But then she remembered it was Shane. She couldn't be bothered to say anything. Maybe he hadn't faced much failure before? Why not let this be a small lesson for him? Let him mess up with the dumplings?
So Callie leaned against the counter, crossing her arms, watching with great interest.
It seemed Shane also realized something was wrong. The dumplings in the pot were all falling apart, the skins separating from the filling.
He frowned deeply, wondering what had gone wrong.
He turned to ask Callie what was happening, only to see her watching him with a smirk, clearly enjoying the show.
Did this woman really just want to see him fail?
He threw down the spoon in frustration and gave up.
"You do it."
With that, he walked out of the kitchen in a huff.
Callie was left speechless.
This man is really interesting, just leaving her with this mess?
"Hey..."
"I only handle the eating."
Before Callie could finish her sentence, he cut her off.
Callie was left standing there, with no word to express herself.
She couldn't bear to see her and Mrs. Ford's hard work go to waste, so she walked over to the stove and saw the disaster in the pot.
These weren't dumplings; this was a pot of soup with filling.
"You ruined my hard work."
She had spent so much time making those dumplings.
"I'll eat it all."
Shane Robinson's voice came from the living room.
Hearing this, Callie's eyes sparkled with a mischievous idea, and a sly smile appeared on her lips.
Once the dumplings were cooked, Callie grabbed a large bowl.
She filled it with both the watery and the lumpy parts, making sure it was a big, heaping bowl, and brought it to Shane. "You said you'd eat it all. A real man keeps his words."
Shane glanced down at the bowl in front of him.
It was a soup bowl.
The dumpling filling had disintegrated, blending into the soup, leaving only the doughy wrappers floating around like pig slop.
No one would find this appetizing.
Callie smiled sweetly and thoughtfully handed him a spoon.
Shane was struck dumb.
He thought, Callie must not want her efforts to go to waste by treating him this way. So what if it looked a bit unappealing?
He would eat it.
With a generous gesture, he picked up the spoon.
Callie, who had been expecting to see him laugh at the mess, found herself unable to laugh. Even she found it unappetizing to look at… But he didn't mind?
Callie Norris was genuinely surprised.
Mrs. Ford came over and, upon seeing the dumplings in Shane Robinson's bowl, her eye twitched.
Are these... dumplings?
She whispered to Callie "What happened here?"
Before Callie could respond, Mrs. Ford continued, "If you didn't know how to cook them, you should have told me. I could have done it. Look at this mess after an entire afternoon's effort..."
Mrs. Ford had no idea it was Shane who had created the mess.
Callie Norris seized the opportunity to criticize, "Exactly! You clearly can't cook, yet you insist on showing off. If you're clumsy, just admit it. Now, a perfectly good pot of dumplings has turned into pig slop..."
Mrs. Ford sensed something was off. Callie's words didn't seem directed at herself.
"Callie Norris, does it make you happy to insult me?" Shane slowly lifted his head.
Mrs. Ford, "..."
As expected...
She quickly found an excuse, "I haven't watered the flowers in the yard yet."
With that, she hurriedly left the dining room, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
After all, she knew a bit about Shane's temper.
However, Shane wasn't actually angry. He enjoyed watching Callie's little clever antics.
Seeing her smug expression, he smiled and asked, "Is this pig slop?"
Callie Norris replied, "Doesn't it look like it?"
Shane stirred the bowl with a spoon, the contents sticky and messy. "It does, indeed."
"Then why are you eating it?" Callie blurted out.
Shane looked at her, scooped a spoonful into his mouth, chewed slowly, and after swallowing, said, "Because you made it."
Callie thought to herself, "What does he mean by that?"
Did he think he could win her over with his self-righteous kindness again?
She wasn't going to fall for it!
"Really? If you like it so much, have some more. There's plenty in the pot!" With that, Callie turned and headed upstairs.
She clearly didn't believe a word he said.
But for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye. She was too scared and could only avoid him!
Her evasiveness seemed like shyness to Shane Robinson.
He smirked, "You haven't eaten yet."
"I'm not hungry."
Callie just didn't want to face him.
Once in her room, she sat on the bed.
She couldn't understand why she was avoiding him.
Why was she avoiding him? What was there to avoid? She hadn't done anything wrong.
Suddenly, she stood up and muttered to herself, "I made those dumplings, and I haven't even had any!"
Why should that annoying man get to eat them all?
Bzzz—Bzzz—
Her phone suddenly buzzed.
She pulled it out and saw Belinda's number on the screen, still saved as Dr. Ayers from her time at the hospital.
Callie knew that Belinda must have gone to the company and found out he already left, which is why she was calling.
She pressed the answer button.
Immediately, a furious voice erupted from the other end, "Callie Norris, are you messing with me? Shane isn't even at the office!"