?Chapter 1557:


    Watching Belinda and Johnson talk, Bethany quickly caught on to their game.


    Pretending to be shocked, she asked, “Oh? You two split up? What happened?”


    Johnson gave a casual shrug, his expression unruffled as he said, “We dated for a bit, but it didn’t work out, so we went our separate ways.”


    “I see,” Bethany nodded.


    “But I heard your mom was pushing for an engagement,” Belinda said on purpose.


    Johnson shook his head. “That was just what she wanted. It’s not what I want.”


    “I understand,” Belinda said, then fell silent.


    The group continued their meal.


    Catherine kept her eyes on her te, eating in silence, grappling with a swirl of emotions she couldn’t quite name.


    It felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her chest, allowing her to breathe more easily.


    She couldn’t deny it—Johnson’s news about his breakup with Zoie brought her a quiet sense of joy.


    After the meal, Belinda headed back to her room to rest, while the rest of the group moved on to the next activity.


    Lucas had nned to go back with her, but Vincent and Johnson pulled him away.


    “Belinda’s resting, why tag along? Come with us,” Vincent urged.


    Belinda gave Lucas a warm smile. “Go ahead, I’ll join youter.”


    Lucas nodded and left with Vincent and Johnson.


    Back at the hotel, Belinda spread out disposable sheets and nkets, then slipped into a quick nap.


    She didn’t wake up until after six in the evening.


    After freshening up, Belinda sought out the others, who were already by the creek, starting a barbecue.


    Spotting Belinda, Lucas approached with a te of neatly sliced fruit. “Have some fruit,” he said, spearing a piece with a fork and offering it to her.


    New chapters now on .c?m


    As he fed her, Lucas asked, “Did you sleep well?”


    “Yeah,” Belinda replied, munching on the fruit.


    They strolled over to the rest of the group together, Belinda savoring the fruit while Lucas went to the grill.


    The men busied themselves with grilling, while the women lounged nearby, waiting for the food.


    Soon, tes of grilled meat arrived.


    In front of Belinda sat a carefully arranged tter of grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables, each piece tempting and perfectly cooked.


    Lucas had grilled the entire te himself.


    Seeing it, Faye felt a twinge of jealousy.


    Pouting, she grumbled, “Uncle Lucas, that’s not fair. You only grill for Belinda, forgetting all about me, your niece.”


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