?<strong>Chapter 116:</strong>


    Percy’s polite smile widened, warm and gentle. “It’s my pleasure.” And with that, the three of them walked away together.


    Belinda didn’t nce back at Lucas. She wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.


    Once Belinda and herpanions were gone, Lucas’ brows furrowed, his face clouding with something dark and unreadable.


    Inside the elevator, Belinda inhaled deeply, trying to steady her thoughts. As the silence stretched, an idea suddenly struck her. She turned to Percy and Debra with a smile. “Oh, I just remembered—I drove here myself. There’s no need for you to send me home now, Mr. Thomas.”


    Belinda silently cursed herself for her earlier decision. What had she been thinking, agreeing to Percy’s offer right in front of Lucas? What was the point in that anyway?


    Debra said smoothly, “It’s no trouble at all, Belinda. Percy can still drive you home. We’ll have someone bring your car to the hospitalter.”


    Belinda replied, “No need for that. I can drive myself back.” With that, she nced at her watch. “I’m short on time as it is, so I’ll just head back to the hospital on my own now.”


    “Thanks for the kind offer, though. Bye.”


    Before they could respond, she gave a quick wave and walked away, her steps brisk and resolute.


    Debra watched Belinda’s retreating figure with a slight frown. Turning to Percy, she asked, “What do you make of her?” Percy’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “She’s guarded. Very guarded.”


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    Debra nodded, mulling over his words. “That’s to be expected. We’re practically strangers. Give it time—she’ll lower her guard after a few more encounters.”


    She paused for a moment and then asked, “Do you think our n will work?”


    Percy tilted his head, his expression unreadable. “You have no faith in me?”


    Debra’s lips quirked into a faint smile. “That’s not true.”


    “Good,” Percy said, his voiceced with quiet confidence. “Just leave it to me.”


    Nodding, Debra said nothing more.


    Later in the evening, Belinda workedte, returning to the rk family estate well past eight. As she entered the bedroom, her eyes instinctively went to the desk, where Lucas sat, his presence cold andmanding.


    Belinda spared him only a fleeting nce before turning away. “Who was the man you had lunch with today?” Lucas’s cold voice cut through the silence like a de.


    Belinda’s tone was calm, almost detached. “That’s none of your business.”


    Lucas’s expression darkened instantly. “None of my business? Don’t forget, Belinda—we’re still married. To the outside world, you’re my wife.”


    Belinda turned to him, her gaze as cold as ice. “And does being your wife mean I’m forbidden from having lunch with other men?”


    “Of course!” Lucas’s tone was sharp.


    Belinda let out a soft, mockingugh. “Before you start dictating what I can or can’t do, Mr. rk, maybe you should take a closer look at your own behavior. Were you thinking about your marital status while dining with Verena?”


    Lucas stiffened, momentarily at a loss for words.


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