?<strong>Chapter 656:</strong>


    “Let go!” Belinda snapped, her voice cutting through Verena’s pleas. With a forceful motion, Belinda yanked her wrist away.


    Verena lost her bnce and spun uncontrobly, her body mming into the wall with a resounding thud.


    The force of the movement caused Belinda to stagger as well. Already a bit unsteady from the drinks, she was about to fall when a strong arm slipped around her waist, steadying her.


    “Careful,” a deep, smooth voice murmured close to her ear.


    Belinda tilted her head, her heart skipping a beat as she saw Lucas’ handsome face so close to hers.


    For a brief moment, she froze, her pulse quickening. But she quickly regained herposure, stepping away from his embrace and standing on her own.


    “Verena! Are you okay?” Ryan’s rmed voice shattered the silence.


    He rushed to Verena’s side, crouching down to help her up.


    Verena stood frozen for a moment, looking dazed, as if the impact had knocked the wind out of her.


    It took her a second to gather herself, and when she finally turned to face the group, everyone could see the bump forming on her forehead.


    Ryan’s eyes shot daggers at Belinda, his voice full of fury. “Belinda! That was too much! Verena was only trying to exin herself, and you wouldn’t listen. Even if you didn’t appreciate her kindness, did you really have to shove her that hard?”


    And just like that, Belinda found herself being med for the situation.


    Verena hastily said, “No, don’t hold Ms. Wright responsible. It was entirely because of my own clumsiness. She’s not to me.”


    Ryan’s brow furrowed, his face turning a shade of red with frustration. “How can you say she’s not to me? Without her pushing you, you wouldn’t have mmed into the wall.”


    Verena insisted, steadfast in her defense of Belinda. “Honestly, Ms. Wright isn’t at fault here. Ryan, you need to stop using her.”


    Verena showed considerable understanding throughout the exchange.


    Belinda, witnessing this, allowed a mockingugh to escape her.


    She nced at Verena with a condescending smile, her words sharp with sarcasm. “Verena, you’re repeating the same stunt you pulled at Harold’s party. Time for some new tricks, don’t you think?”


    Verena looked hurt when she heard that. “Ms. Wright, how could you say that? You were the one who pushed mest time! Although it wasn’t deliberate this time, I never imagined you would…”


    Lucas stood by, his demeanor contemtive, his eyes deep with thought as he watched the scene unfold.


    Bethany moved to intervene, but Johnson gently held her back.


    He signaled her to wait, suggesting they observe how Belinda would handle the situation.


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