?<strong>Chapter 182:</strong>


    “He asked me about my rtionship with you,” Johnson said as he executed his shot.


    Belinda, keeping her face neutral, prepared for her turn.


    With a slight smirk, Johnson dropped his nextment. “I told him that… I have feelings for you.”


    Another “bang” echoed as Belinda’s attempt sent the cue ball into the pocket by mistake.


    She stared at Johnson in disbelief. “Have you lost your mind?”


    Johnson ced his stick on the rack and walked toward the sofa.


    Belinda, puzzled and shocked, followed him.


    “Why on earth would you lie to Lucas, saying that you have feelings for me?” Once they were seated, Belinda sighed and asked Johnson, feeling resigned.


    She was certain Johnson didn’t harbor feelings for her because she had identally learned of someone else he deeply cared about before.


    Johnson faced her with a raised brow and said, “I was doing you a favor.”


    Confused, Belinda asked, “What do you mean?”


    With a hint of mischief, Johnson exined, “Don’t you wonder if Lucas might be jealous? Stirring up a sense of crisis in him could bring interesting oues.”


    Belinda scoffed dismissively, “Jealous? Please. He doesn’t have feelings for me at all. Why would he be jealous?”


    A sly smile yed on Johnson’s lips. “Are you absolutely certain about that?”


    Belinda’s gaze narrowed, suspicion etching her features as she considered his words.


    Johnson suggested, “Why not test it out? What if Lucas actually gets jealous?”


    Belinda looked down, her expression unchanged. After a while, she said, “And if he does get jealous, what then? Does it really change anything?”


    Johnson’s face took on a solemn look as he met her gaze directly. “If he is jealous, it indicates he has feelings for you.”


    Pausing for a moment, he drew a deep breath. “Belinda, think about it. Are you really over Lucas? This could be your chance to uncover his true feelings for you. Don’t you want to know this?”


    Belinda stayed quiet, pondering Johnson’s words. Could Lucas really feel jealous because of her? Would he care if he knew that Johnson had feelings for her?


    After a moment, Belinda burst intoughter and looked at Johnson with a hint of mischief. “But wouldn’t that put you in an awkward position?”


    Johnson grinned upon hearing that. He gave a casual shrug. “A minor sacrifice for the possible joy of you is worth it.”


    Johnson could sense Belinda’s unspoken agreement. He was well aware that beneath her facade of wanting to sever ties and fall out of love with Lucas, her feelings for Lucas remained.


    As a devoted friend of Lucas and a trusted confidant to Belinda, Johnson earnestly wished for their mutual happiness. He also hoped that they could be together.


    Therefore, if his subtle nudges could help mend their rtionship, he was all for it. And should it be clear that Lucas harbored no affection for Belinda, he wouldn’t force anything.


    Belinda offered a small smile and pursed her lips before inquiring, “When you mentioned your feelings for me to Lucas, what was his reaction?”


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