?<strong>Chapter 231:</strong>


    After exchanging pleasantries, Belinda drove the group to The Harlequin Eats.


    Once seated in a private room, Kenia nced around expectantly. “Belinda, where’s Lucas?”


    Belinda hesitated, a fleeting shadow of difort crossing her face before she smiled and replied, “He’s swamped with work and couldn’t join us for a meal this time.” She kept her tone light. “Running apany is demanding, you know.”


    Kenia nodded, her expression understanding, though the faint trace of disappointment on her face didn’t go unnoticed.


    Sensing it, Belinda yfully leaned closer. “What’s this? Are you upset because Lucas didn’te? Do you like him that much, Grandma? Am I not your favorite anymore? I feel so hurt.”


    Kenia’s lips curled into a smile, and she gave Belinda a resigned look. “Why are you acting like a child now? You’re too old for this.”


    “I’m never too old to be your favorite!” Belinda shot back with a mock pout.


    Kenia chuckled, shaking her head. “Alright, alright.”


    “You will always be my favorite.”


    “That’s more like it,” Belinda said with a grin.


    She noticed that the hint of disappointment on Kenia’s face had disappeared. The topic about Lucas was dropped, and they moved on to enjoy their meal, the room filled withughter.


    Meanwhile, at the Triumph Consortium, Lucas’ phone rang.


    He nced at the screen and saw Ryan’s name shing. With a sigh, he answered the call.


    “Lucas,” Ryan’s voice came through, “I need a favor. Take Verena out for a meal now, would you?”


    Lucas furrowed his brows, impatience flickering in his eyes.


    Ryan sighed, his voice heavy with concern. “Verena hasn’t been eating properly for days. Her appetite is gone, and she barely manages a few bites at each meal. If this continues, her body won’t be able to handle it. I spoke with her psychologist—her condition is worsening. We need to do something, Lucas. If you apany her for a meal and spend some time with her, she’ll surely eat more. Otherwise, her health, both physical and mental, is at risk.”


    At Ryan’s words, Lucas’ expression shifted several times, his mood indescribably gloomy. The current situation left him feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. He couldn’t deny that he bore some responsibility for this. Verena’s depression back then had partly been his fault, and now, with her rpse, his guilt lingered like a shadow.


    Refusing Ryan’s request wasn’t an option. And it was precisely because he couldn’t refuse that his mood soured further.


    “I understand. I will do it,” Lucas said before ending the call abruptly.


    For a long moment, he sat in silence, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. Finally, he picked up his phone again and dialed Verena’s number.


    Hearing Lucas invite her to a meal, Verena couldn’t hide her joy. After the call ended, a smug smile spread across her lips. Ryan’s n had worked perfectly. As always, mentioning her “worsening depression” had triggered Lucas’ guilt. It was a card she and Ryan yed often—one that never failed.


    Lucas and Verena sat down for a meal in a quiet, upscale restaurant. Verena, though in high spirits, carefully masked her joy, eating slowly to maintain the facade of having a poor appetite. Across the table, Lucas toyed with his food, barely taking a bite.


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