Chapter 284



Over at the grand Clark family estate, the evening unfolded in stark contrast.

Belinda had already finished her shower. She emerged from the bathroom, her skin glowing, damp tendrils framing her face.

As Belinda carefully smoothed her skincare products over her face, a thought flickered in her mind. She turned her gaze toward Lucas, who was deeply immersed in his work at the desk, his fingers dancing over the keyboard.

With a sarcastic smile, she broke the silence, saying, “Harold’s birthday is right around the corner. Mr. Clark, surely a bit more patience won’t hurt, will it? Before you know it, Verena will be yours, and the two of you will finally be together as a couple.”

Lucas’ gaze shifted, flickering with a mix of emotions as Belinda’s words sank in. His eyes narrowed as he looked at her back, and with a sly smirk, he shot back, “Then shouldn’t you be keeping your distance from Johnson as well?”

Belinda let out a soft laugh, her voice light as she replied, “Johnson and I are merely friends. There is nothing between me and him. Why would I need to keep my distance from him? We’re not exes, and we’re not overly close, either.”

Lucas fell silent for a brief moment, his expression darkening with an emotion he couldn’t suppress. A frown creased his face as his voice dropped to a low, hoarse tone. “Belinda, can’t you see that…”

The words “Johnson has feelings for you” got stuck in his throat.

“See what?” Belinda asked, turning to look at him, her curiosity piqued.

“Nothing.” Lucas exhaled sharply and then added in a firm tone, “Just keep your distance from other men from now on.”

Belinda only let out a dismissive laugh, not bothering to respond. After finishing her skincare routine, she headed straight to bed.

The following day, as soon as Lucas entered his office, his secretary called to inform him that Verena was downstairs.

After a brief pause to think, he instructed his secretary to let Verena come up.

Five minutes later, a knock echoed through his office. “Come in,” Lucas’ voice was calm.

The door soon opened, and Verena entered the room. “Lucas,” Verena called out softly when she saw him.

Lucas shot Verena a lazy glance, his frown deepening slightly as he noticed her swollen, puffy eyes.

Verena bit her lip and said in a low voice, “I… I only want to clear my name, to prove I am not the other woman.”

Lucas let out a dry, humorless chuckle upon hearing that. His expression darkened as he leveled an icy gaze at Verena.

In a voice devoid of emotion, he asked, “Clear your name? Are you suggesting my wife is the other woman here?”

Verena’s eyes widened, her panic evident as she quickly shook her head and waved her hands. “No, no! That’s not what I meant! I—I just… I just…”

She stammered for a long time but couldn’t manage to come up with a proper response.

Lucas remained silent, his piercing eyes narrowing as he studied her. A flicker of disappointment and disdain crossed his expression, gone almost as quickly as it appeared.

Lucas had observed the shift in Verena’s character as far back as three years ago. But now… she had become even more contemptible in his eyes.

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