?<strong>Chapter 195:</strong>


    Holley slowly turned her head upon hearing Belinda’s voice, revealing her tear-streaked face.


    Belinda’s heart clenched at the sight, her eyes narrowing with a mix of concern and determination.


    Holley was on the bed, her eyes swollen and puffy from prolonged crying. Her nose was a bright red, a clear sign of her distress.


    “Belinda, what brings you here?” she asked, her voice hoarse and strained as she slowly sat up.


    “I came to keep youpany,” Belinda said softly. After a brief hesitation, she added, “And Lucas has also apanied me here to see you.”


    Holley’s eyes widened in shock, her mouth slightly agape. “What? Mr. rk is here, too?”


    Belinda nodded, a small smile ying on her lips. “Yes, he’s right outside the room.”


    “Quick, let’s leave the room! We shouldn’t keep Mr. rk waiting,” Holley said hurriedly, springing out of bed and smoothing her disheveled clothes.


    As they stepped out of the room, Holley spotted Lucas sitting on the sofa. The sight of him surprised her. Despite the fact that Lucas had been married to Belinda for so many years, this was his first visit here.


    “Mr. rk,” Holley greeted him cautiously, her tone respectful and slightly nervous. Even Baker, who was far more familiar with Lucas, would never dare to address Lucas by his first name. So, she didn’t dare do that, either.


    Lucas nced up at Holley, his eyes registering brief surprise before he gave her a slight nod, his expression unreadable. His mind wandered as he observed her, wondering just how Belinda’s aunt had mistreated Holley to leave her looking so broken and fragile.


    Your next story begins at galnovels .


    After settling into the sofa, Belinda turned to Holley, her tone steady and sympathetic. “I know about what happened between you and Madonna.”


    At her words, Holley’s eyes reddened instantly, herposure crumbling. She turned her head away, sniffled, and choked out, “Well, she went too far, but… But she wasn’t entirely wrong.”


    Belinda scoffed, herugh sharp and biting. “She didn’t exactly rise to her position honorably back then, so what right does she have to judge you now?”


    Her gaze softened as she leaned forward, speaking to Holley with a serious expression. “Mom, you have no reason to feel inferior to Madonna. You’ve done nothing wrong to her, so why let her intimidate you? If she dares insult or bully you again, fight back—curse her out and hit her if you have to! Don’t waste your energy being nice to someone who doesn’t deserve your respect.”


    Her eyes glimmered mischievously as she added, “And if things escte, don’t worry. I’ll handle it for you. And even if I can’t…”


    She turned her head toward Lucas, her lips curling into a yful smirk. “My husband will have your back, right?” Belinda blinked at Lucas, her teasing tone making the statement sound almost lighthearted.


    Lucas’ pupils narrowed slightly, Belinda’s words catching him off guard.


    Holley, her eyes still brimming with tears, turned to look at Lucas as well, her expression tinged with fragile hope.


    Lucas shifted ufortably under theirbined gazes. An inexplicable sensation stirred within him—one he couldn’t quite understand. He should have dismissed Belinda’s words, perhaps even responded with a cold, cutting remark, as was his habit. But those words refused toe. Instead, after a long pause, he exhaled softly and said in a low voice, “Yeah.”


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