?<strong>Chapter 1104:</strong>


    Belinda let out a softugh, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Lucas, how can you be so stupid?”


    She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips before pulling away, her smile warm.


    She said, “I was only joking, silly. Did you really take my words just now seriously? How could I ever leave you? Lucas, you’re stuck with me for life!”


    As she spoke, she affectionately rubbed the tip of her nose against his, a gesture so tender that Lucas’ stormy expression melted into one of pure happiness.


    A rare, genuine smile lit up his face.


    “Now that,” he murmured, “is what I want to hear.”


    He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again, this time with a softness that sent warmth coursing through her veins.


    Belinda responded by tightening her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss, surrendering to the moment.


    By the time she finally felt herself growing breathless, she pressed her palms against his chest, gently pushing him back.


    Only then did Lucas pull away, though reluctance was clear in his eyes.


    His voice was husky when he spoke. “Come to the office with me tomorrow.”


    “Alright,” Belinda agreed without a second thought.


    Lucas’ lips curled into a satisfied smile, his mood visibly lifted.


    At Baker’s ce,


    Holley paced anxiously in thevish living room, barely able to contain her frustration as she waited for Baker.


    The moment Baker stepped through the door, she quickly approached him. “Baker!” she eximed, her voice edged with urgency.


    Baker frowned, shrugging off his coat. “Why do you look so anxious? What happened?”


    As they settled onto the couch, Holley wasted no time in telling Baker, “Lamont came to me today!”


    Baker’s brows furrowed at the name, his expression turning confused. “Lamont? That name sounds familiar…”


    Holley said, “Lamont! The pediatrician who used to treat Belinda when she was a child! The one we bribed with five hundred thousand dors to keep quiet about the hormone treatments that caused Belinda’s weight gain!”


    Recognition dawned on Baker’s face.


    His expression darkened. “And what does he want now? More money?”


    Holley gritted her teeth. “Exactly! He ims he’s short on cash and wants to ‘borrow’ another five hundred thousand from me. But I know if we hand over that money, we’ll never see a cent of it again!”


    Holley exhaled sharply, her frustration mounting. “That scoundrel! We had a deal! He took the money, agreed to stay silent, and even promised to back us up if necessary. I never imagined he’de to us again! And worse, he’s clearly done his homework. He knows exactly what’s going on with us. He even knows that Belinda is now the youngest attending physician at the Grand ins General Hospital!”


    Holley swallowed hard before continuing, “He even had the nerve to say that if I don’t give him the money, he’ll go directly to Belinda and ask her for it! I had no choice but to stall him—I told him to give me two days toe up with the money.”


    Silence hung in the air. Baker’s jaw tightened, his fingers curling into a fist as he processed the situation.


    .


    .


    .