?<strong>Chapter 123:</strong>


    The muscles in Verena’s jaw tightened as she tried to keep her anger in check. “I’m d you like it,” she replied.


    Lucas, observing Belinda’s rxed demeanor, couldn’t suppress a chuckle at the unfolding drama.


    After a few bites, Belinda looked up at Verena, her voice yful yet sharp. “Miss Reed, next time you decide to bring my husband a meal, perhaps you could also send one to the Grand ins General Hospital. For me.”


    Verena blinked, taken aback by her words. Belinda batted her eyshes innocently. “It’s just a friendly suggestion. After all, wouldn’t it be unfortunate if people began to talk when they learned that you brought lunch to my husband? You wouldn’t want people to get the wrong ideas, would you? But if you included one for me, that could actually enhance your reputation. You’d appear generous and considerate, rather than… Well, you understand what I mean.”


    Her tone was sweet, yet the underlying meanings were unmistakable.


    Verena’s face was a mix of emotions, her displeasure growing. She looked at Lucas for support, but he only gave Belinda a fleeting nce before looking away, disengaging from the situation.


    Fighting back frustration, Verena forced a final, strained smile. “I need to leave now. Please, enjoy your meal,” she said.


    With a swift turn, she was ready to leave, not wanting to continue this conversation any longer.


    “I’ll walk you out, Miss Reed,” Belinda said as she stood up, her tone light yet insistent.


    Verena quickly refused, her voice firm. “No, that won’t be necessary.”


    Ignoring the refusal, Belinda closed the distance between them with a few swift steps. “Oh,e on, no need for such formality. You’re our guest, after all,” she said, her voice carrying a polite but unmistakable edge.


    Together, Verena and Belinda made their way out of the office. The elevator ride down was steeped in silence, the tension between the two women palpable.


    Once they reached the parking lot, Belinda broke the silence, her voice casual yet carrying a serious undertone. “Miss Reed, your recent actions have been troubling me for a while,” she said.


    At Belinda’s words, Verena’sposure cracked slightly. She looked up at Belinda, visibly disturbed.


    Belinda blinked innocently, meeting Verena’s gaze. “Miss Reed, how many times must I remind you to keep your distance from my husband? Yet here you are, brazenly bringing him lunch at his workce. Aren’t you tantly challenging me? How can you do that?”


    Her voice maintained its cool, detached tone, betraying no emotions.


    Verena pressed her lips together, a flush creeping up her neck. “Mrs. rk, I apologize for that. It wasn’t my intention to make you feel that way. I was merely concerned… Lucas might be neglecting his meals.”


    “His dietary habits are not your concern,” Belinda cut her off sharply, her voice icing over.


    Verena’s expression stiffened, her reply dying on her lips.


    Belinda’s gaze was piercing as she said directly and firmly, “If you persist in doing this kind of thing, Miss Reed, I might have to discuss your behavior with the head of the Adams family.”


    Verena’s eyes flickered dangerously before she let out augh. “Is that really necessary, Mrs. rk? After all, in just a month—no, let’s be precise, in twenty days—you and Lucas will be divorced.”


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