?Chapter 1262:


    “So this is the woman you’re dating! You two truly look perfect for each other.”


    “She’s already here—why not invite her to join us for a bit of conversation?”


    Lucas declined with a polite but firm smile, saying, “Thank you, but we’ll be heading out now. Please, continue enjoying yourselves without us.”


    Seeing his firm stance, no one insisted.


    Lucas had evidently had more than a few drinks; his steps were slightly unsteady.


    Noticing this, Belinda quickly moved to support him.


    Once outside the room, she gave him a side nce. “Why did you insist on me going inside?” she asked.


    Lucas wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. A satisfied grin curved his lips. “I just wanted everyone to see the woman I’m proud to call mine. I wanted them all to know that you belong to me.” His tone was full of pride.


    Belinda couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips, her mood lifted.


    Without saying another word, she helped Lucas out of the restaurant. Just then, a ck Rolls-Royce stopped before them. Gordon stepped out promptly.


    He greeted Lucas and Belinda with a respectful nod.


    Gordon had arrived in Soling a day before them.


    After Belinda and Lucas got inside the car, Gordon drove them to Lucas’s ce in Soling.


    Upon arrival, Belinda helped Lucas to the sofa. As he sank into the cushions, she turned toward the kitchen, intending to make him some soup to help him sober up.


    But before she could take a step, Lucas’s arms encircled her waist, and he pulled her close, resting his head against her stomach with quiet tenderness.


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    “What’s the matter?” Belinda nced down at Lucas, nestled in her embrace, her voiceced with gentle concern.


    “Nothing,” Lucas murmured, his voice gravelly. “I just want to hug you.”


    Belinda stretched out a hand, yfully tousling his hair, her words tender. “How about we cuddleter? Let me make you some soup first to help you sober up.”


    “No,” Lucas declined.


    “Lucas!” Belinda exhaled a quiet sigh, though she didn’t disentangle herself from his hold. “Come on, don’t be so stubborn.”


    Since being with Lucas, Belinda had seen so many sides of him that she had never noticed before. Yet, each side of Lucas only made her heart flutter more.


    Lucas couldn’t tell if the liquor was heightening his senses, but at that moment, all he wanted was to be close to Belinda.


    Even with her right there, he couldn’t shake the urge to pull her closer. After clinging to Belinda for what felt like an eternity, he finally loosened his grip. And Belinda went to make him the soup.


    Soon after, Belinda returned with a bowl of warm soup.


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