?<strong>Chapter 982:</strong>


    Belinda remainedposed. She met Holley’s gaze and, with a calm yet firm tone, said, “It’s time for you to leave.”


    Holley’sposure cracked. Flustered, she scrambled for words. “Belinda, listen to me. I… I wasn’t trying to make things difficult for you. I just… I only wanted…”


    Before she could finish, Belinda interjected, “There’s no need to exin. I’ve already called a taxi for you to leave.”


    Holley, however, refused to back down. “No! I’m not leaving! You’re my daughter, I have to stay and take care of you!”


    A cold voice cut through the tension. “Take care of her? Ms. Lewis, is this what you call taking care of Belinda?”


    Bethany stepped into the dining room, her sharp gaze locking onto Holley.


    Her tone toward Holley had shifted—no longer warm. She was addressing her as Ms. Lewis.


    “I… I…” Holley faltered, caught off guard. Then, as if scrambling for justification, she said, “I was just disinfecting the area! What’s so wrong with that?”


    Bethany was so infuriated that she let out a bitterugh. “Disinfect? Is that what you call disinfecting the area? Are you implying Belinda is a virus? Must you really douse the area in alcohol repeatedly? You yourself insisted from the start that the illness isn’t airborne, and that casual touch poses no threat! So why are you doing this now?”


    “I didn’t mean…” Holley faltered, her voice trailing off, speechless once more. She shifted nervously, her gaze darting to the floor.


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    Belinda spoke evenly, her tone devoid of emotion. “I’m a potential carrier now. Your caution is justified. It’s risky for you to remain here. You should return home.”


    Panic flickered across Holley’s face. “I’m not leaving! Belinda, you must believe me. I simply want to be careful. There’s nothing more to it, I swear!”


    Belinda didn’t want to waste any more words with her and said directly, “If you won’t leave, then I’ll move into Vera Vis. I’ll stay in your room and sleep in your bed.”


    Holley turned pale, anxiety overtaking her. “No, no! That won’t be necessary. I’ll leave now, alright?”


    Without further dy, Holley departed from Belinda’s ce in haste.


    Bethany looked at Belinda, her voice gentle. “Let’s go upstairs.”


    Belinda nodded and went back to her room with Bethany.


    “Ignore Holley’s behavior. Don’t take her words and actions to heart…” Bethany attempted to console Belinda but faltered, not knowing exactly how to do that.


    Belinda curved her lips into a faint, forced smile and shook her head gently. “I’m alright.”


    Though she imedposure, an ache gnawed at her heart, growing heavier with each passing second.


    Earlier that day, she had been touched by Holley’s concern for her. But the disy she had just witnessed felt like a dagger through her chest, twisting cruelly.


    It was at that moment that Belinda realized Holley had been pretending all along. Belinda scoffed inwardly.


    Bethany noticed the forced curve of Belinda’s lips and felt her chest tighten with sorrow. She could see the cracks in her friend’s facade, the silent pain seeping through.


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