?<strong>Chapter 234:</strong>


    The hallway fell silent once they were gone.


    Lucas stood frozen for a moment before turning to Verena, his gaze sharp and piercing.


    Verena’s breath hitched, and for a moment, she felt a terrifying sense of panic that made her skin crawl.


    It was the first time Lucas had looked at her with such a cold, cutting gaze!


    Her voice wavered as she hurried to exin, “Lucas, I just… I just wanted to clear the air earlier. I thought it would help if Mrs. rk knew I had invited you to a meal this time, not the other way around.”


    But Lucas’ expression darkened further, his displeasure palpable.


    He believed that who had extended the invitation didn’t matter at all.


    He said coldly, “I have work to attend to. I need to leave now.” With that, he turned on his heel and walked away.


    “Lucas…” Verena called after him, but he didn’t stop.


    Verena’s hands clenched at her sides as she watched his retreating figure.


    Her lips pressed into a thin line before curving into a slight smile.


    The fact that Belinda had seen it all was enough to bring her a twisted sense of satisfaction.


    The ride back to Vera Vis was heavy with silence.


    Belinda sat stiffly in the driver’s seat, her knuckles white against the steering wheel.


    Her thoughts were in turmoil.


    Originally, Belinda had bought a separate house for Kenia in Owathe, but Holley had insisted that Kenia stay with her in Vera Vis.


    Sarai, sitting in the back, hesitated before finally breaking the silence. “Belinda, that woman with Lucas earlier… She is his ex, isn’t she?”


    Belinda’s grip on the steering wheel tightened briefly before she rxed.


    After a brief pause, she answered softly, “Yes.”


    Sarai hesitated before asking, “What is the rtionship between them now—”


    Before the question could linger, Kenia interjected quickly, “Belinda, that unique restaurant really had some delightful dishes. Next time, you must take me there again.”


    Belinda nced at her grandmother, grateful for the change in subject.


    She smiled. “Of course. As long as you like it, I’ll take you there as often as you want.”


    Sarai caught the deliberate interruption but chose to let the matter drop.


    The rest of the drive was filled with light conversation, steering clear of the topic of Lucas and Verena.


    When they arrived at Vera Vis, Kenia waited until she and Belinda were alone in her room before speaking to her.


    Her expression was serious. “Belinda, what’s really going on between you and Lucas?”


    Belinda pressed her lips together, debating whether to sidestep the question.


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