?Chapter 1304:


    On the other end of the call, Holley’s expression twisted with fury.


    Her hands curled tightly into fists.


    How dare Lamont threaten her yet again?


    “Lamont!” Holley bellowed, her voice trembling with rage.


    Lamont responded with a slow, amused chuckle. He said in a calm voice, “I’ll leave the matter in your hands. I’ll be expecting results soon.”


    Before Holley could reply, he ended the call.


    He had no doubt Holley wouldply.


    With the leverage he held over Holley, he knew she would do anything he asked.


    And just as Lamont had expected, despite the storm of anger surging through her, Holley had no choice but to call Baker. She ryed the situation and asked him to dispatch his people to look for Lamont’s son.


    The following day.


    Catherine had arranged a lunch with Belinda and Bethany at an upscale restaurant. They were in a private dining room.


    Bethany, already aware of the recent events, was the first to speak. “Catherine, how are you holding up?” she asked gently, her voice full of concern.


    Catherine forced a faint smile. “To be honest… I am not fine.”


    The pain ran deep. There was Gillian’s betrayal, something she still hadn’t fullye to terms with. But what truly unsettled her heart was Johnson.


    Over the past few days, she had constantly thought of him.


    She couldn’t understand why he upied her thoughts like this, and she felt frustrated.


    Bethany let out a soft sigh. “Anyone would be in a bad mood after what you’ve endured. But maybe… Maybe there is something good about this. At the very least, this incident has allowed you to see Gillian’s true colors clearly. If she’s capable of conspiring with someone else to harm you over a few thousand dors now, what might she do for ten times that in the future? With someone like that in your life—a


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    so-called friend harboring quiet resentment—how could you ever truly feel safe? So, in a way, this incident isn’t entirely bad.” Bethany spoke from a ce of logic, though she knew all too well that reason alone wouldn’t be enough tofort Catherine.


    Catherine lowered her gaze and nodded slowly. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “You’re right, Bethany. I understand all of it, rationally. But emotionally, it’s hard to ept. I feel like something inside me broke. I’ll get through it eventually; I just need a bit more time now.”


    Belinda, who had been silent, finally spoke. “Time will heal all wounds.”


    Catherine’s body went still for a second as she suddenly thought of something.


    She remembered Belinda’s predicament before—betrayed by Sarai, someone she loved like a sister, and even by her own mother.


    Belinda must have been deeply hurt during that time as well. Looking at Belinda, Catherine asked softly, “Belinda… Have you truly let go of it all?”


    Belinda gave a quiet, bitter chuckle. “Letting go isn’t simple. But I’ve started to try to forget about the matter. Because eventually, I understand one thing—those people are not worth my pain.” Her voice, calm but edged with steel, carried a quiet strength.


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