?Chapter 1299:


    Belinda exined, “Having me there lowered the odds of Gillian and Niko pulling off their scheme. As Catherine’s friend, I’d naturally have her back, which made it trickier for Gillian to act. I bet Catherine hoped it would make Gillian rethink things and maybe ditch her n with Niko altogether.”


    After a pause, she continued, “But Gillian was dead set on going through with the n. She kept pushing drinks on me, trying to get me drunk. Once I figured out her intention, I yed along, faking being tipsy. Later, I overheard Catherine reminiscing with Gillian about their old days and how close they used to be. Catherine was trying to awaken Gillian’s conscience and make her change her mind.”


    Belinda threw her hands up in resignation. “But Gillian didn’t change her mind. She was all-in on harming Catherine.”


    Belinda’s mind shed back to the moment she and Johnson found Catherine in that room.


    The look on Catherine’s face was pure heartbreak.


    Belinda knew that kind of betrayal all too well. She could understand Catherine’s pain.


    “She is too soft-hearted,” Lucas said evenly.


    Belinda shrugged. “They were friends for years. It’s only natural that Catherine wanted to give Gillian a chance. But Catherine came around in the end. She didn’t cave when Gillian started begging for mercy.”


    Lucas gave a slight nod. “Good thing you warned Johnson about Niko before. Without that, Catherine might’ve been in real trouble.”


    Belinda’s thoughts drifted back to Niko, her expression darkening.


    Something about Niko just didn’t sit right with Belinda. He had an unsettling vibe she couldn’t quite put into words.


    After meeting him, she couldn’t shake the sense that he was trouble.


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    Belinda let out a wryugh. “Guess my intuition was spot on.”


    Lucas gave a small nod. “Let Johnson take it from here. He’s got it covered.”


    “Okay,” Belinda agreed, letting the topic drop.


    In the Hoffman family’s garage.


    Neither Catherine nor Johnson had said a word on the way back. Even after the car was parked, Catherine kept her gaze fixed downward, staying silent.


    She unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out mechanically, her expression empty.


    “Catherine,” Johnson called softly, breaking the silence.


    Catherine froze mid-step, then slowly turned to face him. Her lips parted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yeah?”


    Johnson closed the distance between them.


    “I can tell you’re hurting,” he said, his voice steady and warm. “Let me hold you, just for a moment.” With that, he opened his arms wide.


    Catherine’s breath caught, her face still as she stared at him.


    Her fingers trembled at her sides, betraying her emotions.


    Looking at his outstretched arms, she felt her heart flutter.


    Part of her wanted nothing more than to copse into his embrace. But another part hesitated; she was afraid that once she felt the warmth of his arms, she would crave it forever.


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