Chapter 1016



Her chest heaved with sobs, tears streaming freely down her cheeks.

She told herself repeatedly this was the right thing to do.

Later that afternoon, Belinda’s phone rang. She was asked to meet with someone.

After a brief pause, she agreed.

In a private room at an upscale café, Belinda sat across from Carola, who stirred her coffee absentmindedly, her eyes lowered. Breaking the silence, Belinda spoke, her tone laced with curiosity and caution. “Carola… What is it that you wish to know?”

Carola lifted her gaze to meet Belinda’s, her expression frosty, her voice weighted with accusation. “Kylee was kidnapped, assaulted, and had explicit photos taken. Was that your doing?”

When Carola first learned of the incident, the sheer horror of it nearly broke her.

Belinda held her stare, unwavering. Her voice was calm, her eyes steady. “If I told you it wasn’t me, would you believe me?”

Carola studied her, her expression unreadable. “So, it wasn’t you?”

Belinda gave a firm nod. “That’s right. If Kylee hadn’t spoken up about that, I wouldn’t have even known that happened. She must have told you why she thinks it was me. But think about it—do you really believe I’d be reckless enough to give the kidnappers my real last name if I were behind this? What possible reason would I have to expose myself like that?”

Carola’s brow twitched slightly when she heard Belinda’s words. When she had first heard Kylee mention this, her thoughts had been the same.

She, too, believed that the kidnappers mentioning “Ms. Wright” wasn’t an accident; it was intentional.

Belinda pressed her lips together for a moment, her voice steady as she said, “Whoever orchestrated this has a clear objective—to turn Kylee and me against each other. They wanted Kylee and me to fight. Kylee would lash out at me, I’d retaliate, and in the end, we’d both be left hurt. And when that happens, the real mastermind can get what they want.”

A frustrated sigh escaped Belinda as she continued, her tone laced with resignation. “I tried to reason with Kylee, but she refused to listen. She’s convinced I’m responsible, and there’s nothing I can do to change her mind. But why would I do this? To be frank, Kylee poses no threat to me. What would I even gain from humiliating her?”

Carola remained silent, absorbing Belinda’s words.

The truth was, she shared the same perspective.

She couldn’t see a motive for Belinda to do something like that. Yet, Kylee was too consumed by emotions to consider any explanation outside of her own assumptions.

Carola’s expression hardened as she fixed Belinda with a sharp gaze. “I intend to get to the bottom of this. If I find out you had any hand in this, Belinda… I won’t let you off.”

Her words carried a cold edge, a clear warning.

Belinda met her gaze and said nothing, her face expressionless.

Carola’s voice softened slightly as she added, “As for Kylee causing you the occupational exposure… She was in the wrong. I’ve already scolded her about it, and on her behalf, I want to apologize to you.”

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