?<strong>Chapter 1043:</strong>


    “Harold, Norma, what brings you here?” Belinda asked gently.


    “Belinda, what’s with the scarf around your neck?” Harold inquired, not answering her question.


    Belinda touched her neck self-consciously and replied, “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just feeling cold and wearing it to keep the chill off.”


    The bruise on her neck had darkened to a deep purple, a mark she wished to keep hidden, so she had worn the scarf to conceal it.


    “Are you ill? Do you have a cold?” Harold asked, his concern evident.


    Belinda shook her head, reassuring him, “No, don’t worry, Harold. I’m just feeling cold. It’s merely a side effect of the medication I’m taking.”


    Harold looked at her sympathetically and sighed. “You’ve really been through a lot, haven’t you?”


    At that moment, Norma stood abruptly and bowed deeply to Belinda. Taken aback, Belinda quickly rose from the sofa to stop her, saying, “Norma, what are you doing? Please, sit down.”


    “I came here to apologize to you,” Norma stated earnestly. “I shouldn’t have said those things to you… I was wrong.”


    “Norma, please, you don’t need to apologize,” Belinda responded, guiding Norma to sit down again. “As a mother, Ipletely understand your words before. You were only looking out for your son.”


    Belinda held no grudge against Norma; she was more hurt than angry at the time.


    Taking Belinda’s hand, Norma said, “As a mother, my intentions weren’t wrong, but I overlooked your feelings. I hurt you, and the more I reflect on it, the more remorseful I feel. Belinda, I’m truly sorry…” Her voice carried a weight of genuine regret.


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    Hearing this, Belinda was deeply touched.


    She nodded and responded sincerely, “I forgive you, Norma.”


    Norma’s apology had been unexpected, and it left Belinda with a warmth in her chest.


    At that moment, Harold spoke up again. “Belinda, from now on, we won’t interfere with your rtionship with Lucas. It’s all up to you two—just follow your hearts.”


    Belinda smiled and nodded, her heart lightened.


    After talking to Belinda for a while longer, Harold and Norma left her ce.


    Later that night, in a presidential suite of a hotel,


    Kane gently caressed Verena’s cheek and smiled. “I’m surprised you asked to meet today… It seems you need me to do something for you urgently. What is it?”


    Verena snuggled closer to him, yfully stroking his chest.


    She spoke softly. “Kane, Lucas is bing increasingly devoted to Belinda. Despite my efforts, I can’t seem to win his heart. Maybe we need a different strategy?”


    Kane wrapped his arm around her, his hand soothing her shoulder. “What do you suggest?”


    Verena drew patterns on his chest, her voice low and enticing. “Lucas is in love with Belinda now. But what if Belinda were dead? Wouldn’t that make Lucase back to me?”


    Verena had carefully considered her options—if she wanted to kill Belinda without leaving a trace, she had no choice but to seek Kane’s help. Getting rid of Belinda was an impossible feat to aplish alone.


    However, the moment Kane heard Verena’s words, his expression darkened. Without a second thought, he shoved her away, his movements sharp. “Belinda is off-limits.” His voice was resolute, each sybleced with authority, leaving no room for negotiation.


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