?<strong>Chapter 218:</strong>


    After a pause, he announced, “The person with the five of hearts has to princess-carry the person with the eight of hearts and do twenty squats.”


    “That’s… surprisingly romantic!” someone eximed.


    “Alright, who’s got the five of hearts?” someone asked. “I do,” Johnson said calmly, tossing his card onto the table.


    As soon as he finished speaking, Belinda spoke up. “And I’ve got the eight of hearts.” Sheid her card down with a small smile.


    Lucas, who had been lounging in quiet indifference, suddenly turned toward Belinda. His eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of darkness shing in them for a brief moment.


    “Wow!” someone muttered.


    The atmosphere grew slightly awkward. All eyes darted between Belinda and Lucas, trying to gauge their reactions. After all, it was just a game—a silly, romantic dare. It wasn’t supposed to mean anything.


    The awkwardness soon dissipated asughter and teasing took over.


    “Let’s see what you’ve got, Johnson!”


    “Twenty squats! Can you even manage that?”


    Johnson and Belinda exchanged a brief, meaningful look before Johnson smirked.


    “You think I can’t do that? Just wait and see,” he said, rising to his feet.


    Belinda also stood up, her movements graceful yet decisive.


    Lucas’ eyes darkened a bit more when he saw this. Johnson not refusing was one thing, but Belinda… Why was she also going along with this?


    “Come on, Belinda.” Johnson opened his arms theatrically, prompting a round ofughter.


    Belinda approached Johnson, effortlessly leaping into his arms. Johnson held her with practiced ease, carrying her with a slight smile on his face. The sight of them together drew whistles and cheers from the crowd.


    “You guys can start counting now! I’m about to begin!” Johnson said.


    “Got it!” came the response.


    “Damn it!” Lucas muttered under his breath.


    The scene made him incredibly irritated.


    As Johnson prepared to start the squats, Lucas’ husky voice cut through the noise.


    “I’ll drink for Belinda. You two don’t have to do this.”


    The room went silent.


    All eyes turned toward Lucas, his expression unreadable. Without a word, Lucas grabbed three sses of whiskey from the table and downed them one after another, the liquid burning his throat. He eventually set thest empty ss down with a loud clink.


    The room erupted into murmurs. No one had expected this.


    Belinda’s heart raced. Ripples of confusion and something warmer stirred in her chest. Was Lucas jealous?


    At that moment, Verena’s face hardened. She stared at Lucas, shock and hurt warring in her expression. Could it be that Lucas really didn’t want to see Belinda have any intimate contact with another man? Did Lucas care about Belinda that much?


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