?<strong>Chapter 388:</strong>


    “Belinda is truly malicious! How could she have pushed Verena down the stairs? Doesn’t she realize she could have killed her?” Ryan fumed, his voice seething with anger.


    Lucas stood nearby, not saying a word. His expression was unreadable, but his clenched fists betrayed the storm brewing within him. He had seen it all—the horrifying moment Verena tumbled down the stairs and Belinda’s hand lingered midair. She must have pushed Verena and hadn’t had time to retract her hand at that time. The truth was undeniable: Belinda had pushed Verena.


    To make matters worse, the memory of Belinda epting Johnson’s confession of love only deepened Lucas’ fury.


    “Verena, how are you feeling now?” Ryan’s voice, tinged with worry, snapped Lucas out of his thoughts.


    Verena stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She winced, her face contorted in pain. “It hurts. It hurts so much,” she whimpered, tears brimming in her eyes.


    Ryan softened his voice. “It’s okay now. Your wounds have been treated. Just rest for now.”


    At that moment, Lucas stepped closer to Verena’s bedside.


    He leaned forward, his voice low and hoarse. “Verena, why did you go upstairs at that time?” It was an unspoken rule—guests shouldn’t wander upstairs uninvited.


    Verena bit her lip, her voice tinged with guilt as she exined, “I saw Belinda heading upstairs. I had something important to say to her, so I followed her quietly.”


    After a brief pause, she added hastily, “I’m sorry, Lucas. I shouldn’t have gone upstairs without permission. It was my mistake.”


    “What did you two talk about?” Lucas pressed, his tone colder now.


    Verena hesitated before answering in a soft tone, “I wanted Belinda to keep her promise and divorce you. That’s all. I didn’t expect her to lose her temper or push me down the stairs. If I’d known it woulde to this, I wouldn’t have approached her in the first ce.” Her voice was filled with regret.


    Ryan interjected, “How is any of this your fault? All you did was remind Belinda of her promise to divorce Lucas. You weren’t wrong to ask her to honor her word! Harold himself said that after his birthday, the divorce would go through. I know Belinda; she will probably find another excuse to stall the divorce. You were just trying to ensure she wouldn’t. That’s perfectly reasonable!”


    He sighed, shaking his head in frustration. “Verena, you’re too kind for your own good,” he said.


    Lucas’ face remained impassive, his dark eyes unreadable. When he finally spoke, his voice was sharp and unyielding.


    “Verena, I’ve told you before—don’t interfere in my rtionship with Belinda.”


    His words struck Verena like a blow.


    Her face drained of color in an instant, her gaze locking onto Lucas in disbelief.


    Verena’s lips moved slightly as if she were about to exin, but eventually, no words came out.


    “Take some time to rest,” Lucas said briskly, turning away before Verena could even react.


    As Lucas strode away, Ryan called after him, “Lucas…” Yet, Lucas continued onward, undeterred and unresponsive.


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