?Chapter 1276:


    The moment he noticed Belinda standing nearby, he understood everything.


    Zaria had staged the whole scene just for Belinda to witness. A flicker of unease crossed Zaria’s face when she heard Darwin’s words.


    But before she could muster a response, Darwin turned on his heel and walked away without hesitation.


    The taxi driver started the car and quickly drove off.


    Zaria stared through the rear window, her eyes following Darwin’s figure until it disappeared from view, her expression gradually hardening.


    The more distant and dismissive Darwin became, the more she found herself drawn to him.


    To conquer a man like him—cold, proud, untouchable—would bring her immense satisfaction.


    Meanwhile, Belinda didn’t dwell on the incident.


    After returning to the private room and offering Lucas a brief exnation, she resumed eating with him.


    With such a delicious spread before them, they wouldn’t let it go to waste.


    Once they finished eating, they headed home together.


    As soon as Belinda stepped through the front door, her phone rang.


    ncing at the screen, she saw Darwin’s name sh across it.


    She quickly answered the call. “Hello?”


    “Belinda, have you and Mr. rk made it home safely?” Darwin asked.


    “Yes, we’re home now,” Belinda responded.


    “How’s Zaria doing?”


    “She’s okay,” Darwin replied curtly.


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    After a pause, he continued, “I’m sorry, Belinda. I didn’t anticipate that dinner with you and Mr. rk would lead to such a scene. I feel terrible about what happened. When we’re back in Owathe, I’ll make sure to treat you and Mr. rk to a proper meal to make up for this.”


    “It’s alright. Things happen; it’s not like you nned for it,” Belinda said lightly.


    Darwin sighed, his voice a mixture of frustration and resignation. “I didn’t expect Zaria to act so recklessly. I told her to leave, but she refused and even tried to kiss me without my permission.”


    He took a deep breath, still disturbed by the event, and added, “Fortunately, I reacted quickly. Otherwise, she might have seeded.”


    His tone suggested a deeper, moreyered message. He expected Belinda to understand his implications.


    Hearing that, Belinda just chuckled, not sure how to respond.


    After a few more exchanges, Belinda ended the call.


    Once the call ended, Darwin felt a twinge of disappointment.


    He realized that whether Zaria had managed to kiss him or not didn’t matter to Belinda at all.


    But he quickly came to terms with this.


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