?<strong>Chapter 93:</strong>


    Bethany, unimpressed, snorted and replied, “Who knows if she is really drunk or just putting on an act?”


    “You—” Ryan started, his irritation evident, but he stopped short. He knew better than to push Bethany too far, given her identity.


    Before the tension could escte, Lucas’ low, emotionless voice cut through the air. “What are you doing here?” he asked Belinda.


    Belinda met his gaze with calmposure. “I just noticed someone I know and thought I’de over to say hello.”


    Ryan, seizing the chance, spoke before Lucas could reply. “Well, now that you’ve done that, you can leave.”


    Belinda turned her headzily, fixing Ryan with a pointed look. “Whether I leave or stay is up to me. Why are you trying to interfere here?”


    Ryan was rendered at a loss for words for a moment, his expression darkening as frustration red in his eyes. With a coldugh, he retorted sarcastically, “Well, well, looks like your newfound status really has emboldened you! Mr. Thomas’ goddaughter is indeed not to be trifled with.”


    Belinda’s gaze turned icy. “If you’re aware of that, then maybe you should shut your mouth.”


    Ryan red at Belinda, having nothing left to say.


    Lucas, leaning back in his seat, observed Belinda with a casual demeanor, narrowing his eyes slightly. His eyes betrayed nothing, but he didn’t miss a single detail.


    Belinda was iming she was here to greet them? That was not true. She was clearly jealous.


    Meanwhile, Bethany walked toward Verena, her patience wearing thin. She reached out, attempting to rouse Verena. “Miss Reed, wake up now. You should let go of Lucas and leave.”


    But Verena pped Bethany’s hand away, groaning, “Don’t touch me! Go away… I don’t want anyone else! Lucas… Lucas… I only want Lucas!”


    Her flushed cheeks and incoherent muttering left little doubt about her intoxication. Her eyes were closed; it seemed like she really was drunk.


    Ryan attempted to exin, “My apologies. Verena gets clingy when she is drunk. She just happened to be sitting beside Lucas today, and, well…”


    He then turned to Belinda with a light shrug. “I hope you can understand this, Mrs. rk. Once she has slept it off, she’ll let go of Lucas on her own.”


    Hearing that, Belinda couldn’t help but let out augh. The absurdity of Ryan’s words was too much to ignore.


    Bethany shot Belinda a questioning look, silently seeking her next move.


    Belinda stepped forward slowly, her eyes scanning Verena before locking briefly with Lucas’. Lucas met her gaze, his dark eyes calm and unreadable. He leaned back slightly, looking as if curious to see what she would do.


    After a moment, Belinda broke eye contact and nced at the winess on the table. “It seems Miss Reed really is drunk,” she said smoothly.


    “Of course,” Ryan replied with a coldugh.


    But as Vincent raised an eyebrow, wondering if Belinda was about to retreat, Belinda picked up a ss of wine and, without hesitation, sshed its contents directly onto Verena’s face.


    “Ahhh!” Verena shrieked, jolted upright as the wine drenched her face and hair. She blinked,pletely in a daze.


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