?<strong>Chapter 82:</strong>


    Slightly caught off guard by her words, Lucas let out a scornfulugh. “Apparently, my assistance was unnecessary.”


    Just then, Belinda’s phone rang.


    She nced at the caller ID and immediately declined the call. Shortly after, another call came through, this time from Holley, which she also rejected. Then, her phone started buzzing with a barrage of notifications, one after another, until they finally ceased after a while.


    Lucas couldn’t help but nce over at Belinda. With a deep breath, Belinda checked the messages on her phone, her lips pressed tightly together.


    Baker’s barrage of messages shed across Belinda’s screen. “Belinda! How dare you defy me? Return home within five minutes—do you understand?”


    “Come back immediately and apologize to your sister! Don’t think I’ll hold back just because Mr. rk supports you!”


    “Do you still consider yourself a part of this family? Do you still acknowledge me as your father? How dare you do that?”


    “What has made you so vicious after just a few years away? What disgraceful life have you led abroad to be like this?”


    Belinda scoffed coldly at the tirade and swiftly exited the chat.


    It was then that she saw the messages from Holley.


    “Belinda, please, don’t be stubborn. Come back and apologize to Kylee now. She won’t hold a grudge, and once she forgives you, your father will calm down.”


    “Just this once, listen to me. Return home and apologize.”


    Holding her phone, Belinda’s hand trembled slightly. Holley’s words felt like sharp stabs to her heart. She put away her phone after a long moment and stared nkly out the car window, her emotions a tumultuous whirl.


    Lucas shot her a sideways nce, his keen eyes narrowing slightly. Silence enveloped the rest of their drive.


    Upon arriving at the rk family’s home, they each retreated into their own routines as usual. To anyone looking, Belinda might have appeared unfazed by what had happened today. However, as shey in bed that night, sleep eluded her.


    The next morning, the dark circles under her eyes betrayed her unrest as she headed to work.


    At the rk family estate, Harold satposed on the sofa, looking at the two unexpected guests—Baker and Kylee. Harold gestured for them to speak.


    “If you have something to say, please, just say it,” Harold urged in an even tone.


    Baker did not hesitate. “Mr. rk, normally one keeps family matters private, but I’m at my wit’s end now. My younger daughter, Belinda, has really crossed the line this time. She is so vicious!”


    He gently lifted Kylee’s hand, revealing the burn. “Look at this. This is what Belinda did to Kylee.”


    Harold furrowed his brows at the sight, though he remained silent.


    “What happened?” Norma, sitting beside Harold, pressed for more information.


    Baker spoke, his voice growing intense. “Belinda intentionally hurt Kylee—not once, but twice! Initially, everything was normal when Belinda and Lucas joined us for dinner. Kylee was even serving soup to Belinda. But as Kylee handed her the bowl, Belinda let it slip on purpose, scalding Kylee. The soup was boiling hot! Despite the pain, Kylee didn’tin. Instead, she asked me not to me Belinda. Yet, Belinda filled another bowl with soup and deliberately threw it on Kylee, worsening her burn.”


    .


    .


    .