?Chapter 1298:


    She knew no words could ease Catherine’s pain right now.


    Catherine slowed for a moment, ncing at Belinda with a sniffle. “Belinda, thank you for today. I’m so sorry you had to drink that much.”


    Belinda gave her a warm smile. “Don’t worry about it. That’s what friends do. And you know me—those drinks were nothing to me.”


    Johnson turned to Belinda, his tone heavy with gratitude. “Belinda, thank you so much. If you hadn’t warned me about Niko, I wouldn’t have discovered his n or unraveled what he was up to.”


    Had he not arranged for someone to keep watch ahead of time, Niko and Gillian’s scheme might have seeded.


    Because Catherine would never have suspected her own friend.


    Thinking back on everything now, Johnson still felt a nagging sense of fear.


    Belinda caught his expression and nudged him yfully. “Oh,e on! We’re all friends here. You don’t have to thank me.”


    Johnson cracked a smile. “Fair enough. No thanks needed. We’re friends.”


    Johnson, Belinda, and Catherine made their way to the parking lot together.


    Belinda then nced at Johnson. “You should drive Catherine home.”


    “What about you?” Johnson asked.


    Belinda pointed in a direction. “Lucas is already waiting for me over there.”


    Johnson let out a softugh and nodded. “Alright, goodbye.”


    “Goodbye,” Belinda replied.


    Turning to Catherine, she added, “Get some rest when you’re home, okay?”


    Catherine managed a small smile. “I will. Thanks, Belinda. I will treat you and Bethany to a meal another day.”


    “Okay!” With a wave at Catherine, Belinda headed towards where Lucas had parked.


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    Johnson and Catherine waited until they saw Belinda slide into the passenger seat before climbing into their own vehicle and leaving.


    Once Belinda was settled in Lucas’ car, he nced at her. “So, how’d it go? Everything turn out okay today?”


    Belinda nodded. “Yeah, it went pretty smoothly, all things considered.”


    Lucas quirked a brow. “And… Catherine’s so-called best friend really stabbed her in the back?”


    “Yes,” Belinda said with a weary sigh, thenunched into a full recap of the day’s events.


    As she finished, Lucas’ face betrayed a flicker of astonishment. He paused for a moment, then asked, “Why did Catherine drag you along today?”


    After all, Johnson had been watching over things from the sidelines, so nothing should have gone wrong. There was no need for Belinda to be there.


    Belinda’s lips pressed together briefly before she answered, “I think Catherine was trying to give Gillian a chance.”


    Lucas’ expression shifted; he was a bit confused.


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