?<strong>Chapter 55:</strong>


    She answered, “Harold?”


    “Belinda, something urgent came up, and I can’t make it to lunch this time. You and Lucas will have to manage without me,” Harold said.


    Harold’s words left Belinda feeling a touch of resignation. “Alright,” she replied softly.


    Once the call ended, she stepped inside. She then said to Lucas, “Harold is caught up and can’t join us. He wants us to eat without him.”


    Lucas showed no surprise. As they settled at the table, he looked at Belinda and said, “He has really gone out of his way to make us spend time together.”


    Belinda remained silent.


    Lucasughed sarcastically. “Belinda, nothing to add?”


    Belinda’s lips twitched as she turned to meet Lucas’ eyes. Her voice resolute, she said, “There’s no need for you to test me. I was unaware of any of this. And Mr. rk, regardless of your father’s intentions—whether he’s trying to pair us up or something else—nothing will affect the final oue. We will get divorced eventually.”


    Lucas looked at her thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as he replied smoothly, “It’s good that you think that way.” His gaze lingered on Belinda, pondering whether her indifference was genuine.


    They then ate their meal in silence, focusing solely on the food in front of them.


    Belinda soon stood and excused herself to visit the restroom.


    On her way back to the private room, she bumped into Ryan and Verena. Neither Ryan nor Verena had anticipated seeing Belinda there.


    Ryan’s eyes lingered on Belinda’s striking features. He still thought that she was irresistibly attractive. But remembering how Belinda had humiliated himst time, anger red up inside him.


    Belinda offered them a brief, indifferent look before shifting her attention away and heading back to the private room.


    Ryan’s annoyance grew at her disinterest. “Ms. Thomas,” Ryan called after her, halting her steps.


    Belinda turned to face him, her expressionposed. “Yes, Mr. Adams? Do you have anything to say to me?”


    Ryan’s tone was probing. “I heard you’re joining the Cardiac Surgery Department at Grand ins General Hospital, is that right?”


    Belinda remained silent.


    Ryan smirked and continued, “Curiously, my aunt’s husband is the chief physician in that department. I asked him about you, and he mentioned no one there has thest name Thomas and that there is also no one named Belinie working there, neither doctor nor intern.”


    Ryan crossed his arms, his expression smug. “So, Ms. Thomas, how do you exin that?”


    .


    .


    .