?<strong>Chapter 232:</strong>


    “Lucas,” Verena said gently, her toneced with concern, “is something on your mind?”


    Lucas’ expression remained calm, his voice clipped and indifferent. “No. Just eat.”


    “If you’re busy,” Verena said hesitantly, “you don’t have to go out of your way for me. I’m fine on my own.” Her cautious gaze lingered on him, as though afraid that her words might upset him.


    Lucas frowned, frustration and resignation rising within him. He knew he shouldn’t bring his negative emotions to the table, especially since he was the one who had invited Verena to the meal. With effort, he softened his expression. “It’s fine,” he said in a low, gravelly tone. “Just eat.”


    Verena nodded, offering a small smile. “Alright. You should eat too.” She picked up a piece of salt-and-pepper rib and ced it on Lucas’ te.


    Lucas stared at the rib, lost in thought. The dish reminded him of something he knew he shouldn’t think about. It was Belinda’s favorite.


    Thest time he and Belinda hade here, she had devoured nearly the entire te, leaving him with just one piece. The thought of Belinda made his chest tighten. He wondered where she was now and what she was doing.


    By the time the meal ended, the rib remained untouched on Lucas’ te. Lucas stood up first, moving toward the door of the private room. As he opened it to leave, the door to the room across the hallway swung open.


    “Grandma, how do you like the food here? Isn’t it delicious?” A sweet, familiar voice echoed in the hallway.


    Lucas froze for a moment. His pupils contracted sharply as he turned toward the sound.


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    From that room, Belinda stepped out, her attention focused on an elderly woman beside her. She finished speaking and looked up, her gaze suddenly meeting Lucas’.


    For a heartbeat, time seemed to stand still. Their eyes locked across the hallway.


    Belinda froze, her breath caught in her throat.


    Of all the people she could have run into, she hadn’t expected to bump into Lucas here.


    Before she could say a word, another voice—light and unmistakably familiar—broke the silence. “Lucas, the shrimp today was amazing. We shoulde here more often.”


    A figure emerged from behind Lucas: Verena.


    Time seemed to stop for a moment.


    Belinda’s gaze locked on Lucas and Verena. Her mind raced, searching for an appropriate response, but none came.


    Her lips parted slightly, yet no sound escaped. Instead, a cold lump rose in her throat, and her face paled just a little.


    Lucas had told her that he was too busy—too busy to have a meal with her family. But now, it was clear he wasn’t too busy for Verena.


    The realization hit Belinda like a punch to the gut.


    Maybe it didn’t matter who Lucas was with; what stung was that he had chosen not to spend time with her.


    As this thought lingered, Belinda couldn’t help butugh bitterly at herself.


    Lucas felt his chest tighten as he noticed Belinda’s paleplexion.


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