?<strong>Chapter 1161:</strong>


    They had prepared this backup exnation in case things went south.


    The excuse Holley had initially given was also premeditated, and she knew Belinda and Lucas would never ept it.


    And so, they had crafted this alternative—the so-called “real reason.”


    This fabricated revtion had been Holley’s idea.


    She had made it clear to Sarai: under no circumstances was she to reveal the truth—that she had once injected Belinda with drugs.


    Sarai had readily agreed.


    After all, as long as Holley’s darkest secret remained hidden, she could continue to wield it as leverage.


    Now, everything hinged on one thing—whether Belinda and Lucas would believe them.


    Belinda’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly as she processed Sarai’s words.


    Sarai had once seen a man… being close to Holley?


    A memory from her childhood flickered in the back of Belinda’s mind.


    During Belinda’s elementary school years, there had been an incident where she had returned home and noticed a man loitering suspiciously near her house.


    The man had been lingering by the front door, but the moment he spotted her, he quickly fled.


    She had knocked on the door, and when Holley answered before she could see who was at the door, her first words were, “Why are you back again?”


    When Belinda questioned her about it, Holley had dismissed it with a vague exnation.


    Could that man have been one of Holley’s secret lovers?


    If so, it would exin why Sarai had something to threaten Holley with.


    And if Baker ever found out about this…


    Belinda took a deep breath, her tone sharp and using as she turned to Holley. “So, because of this, you teamed up with Sarai to target Lucas?”


    “I…” Holley stammered, her lips trembling as panic washed over her. “I’m sorry, Belinda. I had no other choice!” Yet, beneath her fear, she felt a surge of relief.


    Belinda’s words implied she had bought her excuse.


    Belinda let out a coldugh.


    Sarai began to sob, saying, “Belinda, I’m sorry! I know I was wrong! I swear, I’ll never have any inappropriate thoughts about Mr. rk again! Please, consider that we grew up together, just forgive me this once…”


    Belinda’s icy gaze bore into Sarai,ced with scorn. “Oh? Now you remember we grew up together? When you threatened my mother and made her help you plot against Lucas, did you ever think about my feelings for even a second?”


    Her voice rose sharply, cutting through the room.


    Sarai’s tears flowed freely.


    Of course, she knew her actions were wrong.


    But she had been desperate. She loved Lucas too much and wanted him so badly.


    Belinda’s expression hardened, her eyes growing cold as she looked at Sarai. “Don’t worry; I won’t harm you.”


    Despite her anger, Belinda knew that Sarai had been part of her life for so long, and Sarai had cared for her grandmother for years. That counted for something…


    Sarai’s eyes flickered with hope, but before she could feel any relief, Belinda continued, “But from now on, I don’t want to see you in Owathe ever again. Leave.”


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