?<strong>Chapter 225:</strong>


    In the past, whenever she asked him such a question, Lucas would answer her immediately and without a doubt. But tonight, his hesitation was evident, and it spoke louder than his denial. Even if he hadn’t fallen for Belinda, Verena knew something had changed. Belinda was no longer the same in Lucas’ eyes now. And that realization crushed her.


    She wasn’t the only one who had noticed this. Ryan’s expression darkened, though he said nothing.


    After that, Verena didn’t ask Lucas anything else. She was too afraid of hearing an answer that might shatter herpletely. Instead, she reached for the bottle on the table, pouring herself another drink. She thought that if she got drunk enough, maybe the pain would fade.


    “Stop drinking, Verena,” Lucas said firmly, his toneced with frustration. But Verena only wore a bitter smile. “Lucas, just let me drink. If I get drunk, I won’t have to feel anything anymore.”


    Lucas clenched his jaw but said nothing more. The silence between them grew heavy. Verena continued pouring herself drink after drink, her hands trembling. She was clearly determined to get drunk.


    Ryan, watching Verena like this, finally spoke up. “Lucas, you need to stop her! She can’t keep doing this!” he said.


    Lucas turned to Verena, ready to intervene. But before he could speak, the sound of retching filled the room. Verena had vomited. After that, she copsed onto the sofa, unconscious.


    “Verena!” The two men jumped up in shock.


    “What’s happening here? Is Verena okay?” Ryan asked, concern in his eyes.


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    Lucas’ expression hardened as he moved quickly to Verena’s side. “She needs to go to the hospital. Now.” Without wasting a second, he scooped Verena into his arms and carried her out of the room. Ryan followed closely behind, his worry evident on his face.


    At the Grand ins General Hospital…


    After the check-up and initial treatment, a doctor approached Lucas and Ryan with a grave expression.


    “The patient is suffering from alcohol poisoning,” the doctor said. “We’ve induced vomiting, but her condition remains critical. She’ll need to stay overnight for observation. If there are noplications, she can be discharged tomorrow.”


    The doctor’s wordsnded heavily on both men. Lucas and Ryan exchanged a worried nce.


    “Thank you, Doctor,” Ryan said.


    The doctor nodded and walked away, leaving Ryan and Lucas in the sterile silence of the hospital hallway.


    Shortly after, Verena was wheeled into her hospital room. As Ryan stood by her bedside, watching her pale, fragile form lying motionless under the fluorescent lights, his face hardened with a mix of guilt and frustration. After a long silence, he turned to Lucas, his voice serious.


    “There’s something I haven’t told you…”


    Lucas shifted his gaze to Ryan, his brows furrowing slightly.


    “What is it?”


    Taking a deep breath, Ryan said, “Today, one of the housemaids told me she found fresh cuts on Verena’s thighs. Knife wounds.”


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