?Chapter 1288:


    Belinda’s voice was sharp as she interjected, “Then by your logic, knowing where she is serves no purpose to you anyway.”


    Ryan clenched his jaw in frustration.


    He opened his mouth to speak again, but Belinda cut him off once more, this time with a glint of intrigue in her eyes. “Let’s make a deal,” she proposed coolly.


    Ryan narrowed his gaze, cautious. “What kind of deal?”


    Belinda leaned back slightly, her smile mysterious. “I’ll tell you where Verena is. In exchange, you’ll tell me who has been backing her in the shadows.”


    That was the real reason she had agreed to meet him today.


    She knew that as Verena’s cousin and longtime confidant, Ryan had to know something about the matter. It seemed impossible that he was entirely in the dark.


    But to her surprise, confusion flickered across Ryan’s face. “Someone behind her? You mean… Verena has been getting help from someone else?”


    Belinda didn’t answer immediately. Her gaze sharpened, studying Ryan closely. She searched his expression, waiting for the slightest flicker of deceit but saw none.


    Either Ryan was exceptional at deceiving people, or… He truly had no idea there had been someone helping Verena all along.


    Had Verena really managed to hide that mysterious ally so well? Even from Ryan?


    This only deepened Belinda’s curiosity about the person who had been helping Verena.


    Since Belinda couldn’t get what she wanted, she didn’t want to waste more time on Ryan. “If you truly don’t know who has been helping her, then we have no deal.”


    She rose from her seat, preparing to walk away.


    “Belinda, wait!” Ryan called out quickly.


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    He stood up and stepped forward, desperation etched across his face. “Please, I’m begging you. I just want to know where Verena is. That’s—”


    Belinda nced at him, a sardonic smile tugging at her lips. “And you think that’s enough to sway me? That I’d give you what you want just because you begged? Don’t be naive.”


    Without waiting for a response, she turned to leave.


    “Belinda! Stop right there!” Ryan snapped, surging forward. He quickly caught up with her and grabbed her wrist…


    Belinda lifted her other hand and twisted Ryan’s arm in one swift motion.


    Ryan immediately let her go, his face twisting in anger and pain. Unfazed, Belinda red at him and spat out, “Ryan, what do you think you’re doing? Are you trying to force me topromise?”


    “Let go!” Ryan eximed furiously.


    “Next time, stop acting out of line.” With those icy words, Belinda decided not to waste any more time with him and pushed him away with considerable strength, causing Ryan to stumble a few steps back.


    Ryan red at Belinda as he flicked his wrist.


    Belinda shot him a cold nce and, without another word, opened the door and left.


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