?<strong>Chapter 549:</strong>


    His gaze, cold and piercing, swept over the crowd.


    He spoke deliberately, each word a veiled threat. “If anyone dares gossip about this, they’ll share that man’s fate!”


    His demeanor softened as he turned to Belinda, holding her hand more tightly.


    Belinda’s stance stiffened, her eyes revealing mixed emotions, but she continued leading Lucas away.


    They left the Happer Restaurant and stopped at a nearby pharmacy.


    Belinda instructed Lucas to wait outside while she bought iodine and cotton swabs.


    With the supplies in hand, Belinda sat next to Lucas, soaked a cotton swab in iodine, and gently took his hand.


    She noticed his knuckles were bleeding from punching the man so hard.


    As she treated his wounds, Belinda’s voice remained even. “Why turn to violence? You might stop one person, but what about hundreds or thousands of people? Let them talk.


    Words can’t hurt me.”


    Lucas met her gaze, his expression intense. “I just can’t stand anyone insulting you.”


    Belinda hesitated for a moment, her movements stalling.


    Why hadn’t he shown this protectiveness before?


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    She couldn’t help but feel a bit displeased with Lucas.


    After a while, she tossed the cotton swab into the trash and said calmly, “All done.”


    Lucas remained seated, his eyes fixed on Belinda.


    He believed that despite everything, Belinda still cared for him—a realization that seemed to make him feel happy.


    Belinda felt uneasy under Lucas’ gaze.


    She stood up abruptly. “I will leave now.”


    As she turned to leave, Lucas reached out, suddenly pulling her back.


    Belinda stumbled, falling right into Lucas’p.


    He encircled her waist and lifted her chin with his hand.


    Then, he kissed her.


    Belinda gasped softly.


    Lucas kissed her with a fervor that seemed to defy restraint.


    His lips parted hers effortlessly, exploring her mouth in a way that left her breathless and unable to pull away.


    Belinda weakly pounded on Lucas’ chest with her fists.


    However, her resistance only fueled his passion.


    Pushed to her limit, Belinda shoved Lucas away forcefully.


    As soon as Lucas’ hands loosened their hold, Belinda leaped from hisp and stumbled back several steps.


    With clenched teeth, Belinda red at Lucas and yelled, “Lucas!


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