Chapter 280



“What? You were behind it?” Norma reacted with astonishment before Harold could say anything.

After a brief silence, she asked, “But why?”

Belinda responded calmly, “Ryan sent me those photos. He frequently boasted about how well Lucas was treating Verena and their apparent closeness. I tolerated it at first, but eventually, it felt like my patience was being seen as a sign of weakness. I’ve repeatedly warned Verena to keep her distance from my husband, but to no avail. Her disregard could be overlooked once or twice, but she’s grown increasingly audacious. That’s why I decided it was time for the public to see her true nature.”

When Norma heard Belinda’s words, her brow furrowed in disapproval. “That may have settled the score with Verena, but Lucas was unfairly implicated as well.”

Belinda pressed her lips together for a moment.

Preparing to reply, Harold interjected decisively, “So what if Lucas got implicated?”

Harold fixed a stern gaze on Norma as he said, “Isn’t Lucas also to blame in this matter? Didn’t he choose to venture out in the dead of night to see another woman? Was it not him who was embraced by Verena? Had he been a bit slower, wouldn’t Verena have kissed him? Can you truly claim your son is completely innocent here?”

Norma, taken by surprise, faltered, at a loss for words. Harold’s tone remained resolute as he continued, “Belinda is not in the wrong here! The public’s criticism of Lucas is justified. Keeping such close connections with an ex while being married is inherently problematic.”

Turning to Belinda with a soft expression, he reassured her, “You’ve done nothing to merit blame. You have my full support this time.”

Belinda’s spirits lifted at Harold’s words, and a grateful smile crossed her face. “Thank you, Harold.” She stood up and said, “I’ll leave you to your rest now.”

“Make sure you rest as well,” Harold replied.

“Will do.” Belinda nodded and departed from the room.

As the door closed behind Belinda, Norma turned toward Harold with a reproachful tone. “Why aren’t you supporting our son? It looks like you’re taking an outsider’s side.”

Harold maintained a calm demeanor and answered, “Belinda is our daughter-in-law, isn’t she? So, she is also our family, not an outsider. Also, think about it—did Lucas act appropriately?”

Norma paused briefly and then muttered, “I concede that Lucas wasn’t entirely blameless, but Belinda should have considered his feelings as well.”

Harold gave a dismissive snort. “When Lucas sneaked out to see Verena that night, was he considering Belinda’s feelings?”

He sighed, soothingly patting Norma’s hand. “Try to see the situation from Belinda’s perspective.”

Norma pressed her lips together as she fell into contemplation.

Harold added, “What I find particularly interesting is that Lucas was trying to cover for Belinda. That’s rather intriguing, don’t you think?”

Norma, slightly surprised, replied, “Maybe he didn’t find out that Belinda was behind the whole thing?”

Harold shot her a sidelong glance and said, “Aren’t you aware of what your own son is capable of?”

Norma fell silent once more.

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