?<strong>Chapter 199:</strong>


    Without waiting for a response, he turned and headed upstairs, leaving behind a pale Madonna and an anxious Lillie in the heavy silence.


    At Vera Vis, Lucas seemed to have a better appetite than usual. Perhaps it was the meal that suited his taste, but he ate more than he typically did this time, finishing an extra portion.


    Belinda noticed this and allowed a small, satisfied smile to curve her lips. She had prepared several dishes she knew Lucas liked, a subtle gesture to repay him for helping her earlier.


    After dinner, she loaded the dishes into the dishwasher, wiped down the counters, and returned to the living room with a te of fresh fruit.


    The three of them—Lucas, Belinda, and Holley—sat together on the sofa, eating fruit and watching TV. The atmosphere was uncharacteristically tranquil, a rare harmony settling over the room.


    As the clock nearly struck ten, Holley broke the peaceful silence, speaking with a gentle smile. “It’s gettingte. You two should head back.”


    Belinda looked at her mother and then said, “Mom, I’ll stay over tonight and keep youpany.”


    Turning to Lucas, she added, her tone casual, “You can head back now.”


    “Alright,” Lucas replied with a nod, his tone calm.


    Holley, watching the exchange, didn’t refuse Belinda. “Belinda, why don’t you see Mr. rk out?”


    Belinda hesitated for a moment, wanting to refuse, thinking it was unnecessary for her to see Lucas out. But then, she remembered Lucas’ earlier support for her. Suppressing her reluctance, she nodded lightly. “Okay, I will do that.”


    The two left Holley’s ce and stepped into the elevator together.


    The hum of the elevator filled the silence, but Lucas broke it, his curiosity evident. “How exactly did your aunt hurt your mother?” he asked, his deep voice calm but probing.


    Belinda blinked, surprised that Lucas would show any interest in the matter. After a brief moment of contemtion, she began recounting the entire story to him.


    Lucas listened intently, his brows furrowing as the details unfolded. Madonna’s actions, as described by Belinda, were undeniably over the line. However, when Belinda mentioned that she had sshed coffee on Madonna for that, Lucas’ expression shifted. His brow arched slightly, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. He knew that Belinda wouldn’t let anyone mess with her or her loved ones now. Her response was exactly what he hade to expect.


    Belinda exhaled deeply, her tone calm yet resolute as she said, “I won’tment on who was right or wrong in what happened between my mother and father. Even though I understand that my mom shouldn’t have been the other woman, as her child, I have no right to judge her. But as a mother, she has always given me her all, treating me like the most precious person in her life. So—even though she made mistakes in the past, I will never allow anyone to hurt her!”


    Lucas’ expression didn’t waver as he replied calmly, “You did the right thing.”


    When Belinda heard his affirmation, her lips curved into a small, confident smile. “Of course! I only gave Aunt Madonna a taste of her own medicine.”


    Lucas let out a soft chuckle, the sound almost imperceptible, and he didn’t say more.


    When the elevator doors opened, the two walked out of the elevator and went toward Lucas’ car. The cool night air wrapped around them, and just as they neared the vehicle, Lucas’ pace slowed. He seemed to have suddenly thought of something. He turned his head slightly, his deep, husky voice breaking the quiet. “I heard…”


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