?<strong>Chapter 654:</strong>


    “It’s good that you think that way,” Vincentmented approvingly.


    With hopeful eyes and a gentle bite of her lip, Verena looked at Lucas. “Lucas, is it possible for us to still be friends?”


    Lucas’ strikingly handsome face remained impassive. After Verena spoke, he replied in a calm tone, “We’ve always been friends.”


    Verena shed a wide, cheerful smile. “Perfect! Lucas, don’t worry. I won’t pester you anymore. We’ll keep things as friends should.”


    “Alright,” Lucas responded, his tone indifferent. He nced at her and added, “You can go and sit over there now.”


    Verena froze for a brief second, the smile faltering on her lips. Then, she nodded. “Okay.”


    She rose from her seat and moved to sit next to Ryan.


    “Let’s have a drink together,” Vincent said.


    The four of them raised their sses and clinked them.


    As they sipped their drinks, Verena’s eyes drifted to Lucas. A faint, enigmatic smile curled her lips, her thoughts swirling.


    Giving up on Lucas? She would never do that!


    This was just her ploy to buy time.


    Yesterday’s encounter had taught her a valuable lesson. Lucas’ patience for her was wearing thin, and his attempts to distance himself from her were bing more obvious.


    If she didn’t change her approach, he would only drift further away from her.


    So, she had devised a n, publicly dering she was over him—just friends, no more.


    It was a simple trick to make Lucas lower his guard.


    The goal was clear. She would make him believe she no longer cared and then catch him by surprise when the time was right.


    Judging by Lucas’ less dismissive demeanor tonight, her n seemed to be working.


    Thinking about this, Verena couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy.


    They hadn’t been sitting long when Lucas wanted to leave. Vincent seized the moment and suggested they all call it a night.


    The group left the private room and took the elevator down to the underground parking lot.


    The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped out. Just then, the doors of a nearby elevator opened, and a familiar voice rang out. “Belinda, be careful.”


    “Rx, I’m not drunk.”


    Lucas’ head turned instantly at the sound of Belinda’s voice.


    His gaze locked on Belinda, who had just stepped out of the elevator with Bethany and Johnson.


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