Chapter 499



In truth, just now, a small crack had formed in her guarded heart. Perhaps the warm and affectionate atmosphere had momentarily clouded her judgment. She had almost agreed to Lucas. Thankfully, Ryan’s call had snapped her back to reality. Lucas was still Lucas—the man who always placed Verena first. That hadn’t changed at all.

Once again, she had been left alone. The only difference was Lucas’ half-hearted offer to bring her along. In hindsight, the brief flicker of hope in her chest felt foolish and absurd.

She picked up her fork again and resumed eating in silence. The food was so delicious; it would be a waste not to enjoy it.

Thirty minutes later, Belinda finished her meal and stepped out of the restaurant. She decided that a walk might do her some good. Her steps were unhurried as she walked down the street. Her spirits weren’t high, but they weren’t as low as she had braced for. After all, she had seen this coming already. Wasn’t it always this way?

Even if Lucas acknowledged his feelings for her, he still felt responsible for Verena. Whenever Verena needed him, he ran to her without a second thought. And Verena’s so-called suicide attempt? Belinda knew all too well that it was just a ploy by Verena. Verena wouldn’t really dare to kill herself. It was simply a way for Verena to tighten her grip on Lucas, feeding his guilt and sense of obligation.

Belinda believed Lucas would never break free of Verena’s hold. Thankfully, Lucas and Verena’s tangled mess no longer had anything to do with her. The thought brought a surprising lightness to Belinda’s chest, easing the burden on her mind.

As she was about to turn back, a cloth appeared out of nowhere, clamping over her mouth and nose. Belinda’s hands shot up to claw at the firm grip holding the cloth in place. But before she could react further, a powerful arm snaked around her right shoulder, locking her in place.

A sharp, unfamiliar odor flooded her nose, seizing her senses. “Oh no!” The cloth was drenched in some kind of sedative!

Belinda’s eyes narrowed as she held her breath and drove her elbow sharply backward. Her attacker grunted as the force of the blow made him loosen his grip on Belinda’s mouth and nose. His hold on her shoulder released almost immediately.

Belinda gasped for air, but a sudden, constricting force clamped around her neck, cutting off her breath. The choking grip was immediate and unrelenting. Desperately, Belinda clawed at the arm tightening around her throat.

Her attacker groaned, his grip momentarily loosening before tightening with renewed ferocity. Belinda’s face soon turned crimson as she struggled for air, the pressure stifling any chance for her to scream.

In desperation, Belinda drove her heel into her attacker’s foot. He cried out in pain, and his grip weakened around her neck. Wasting no time, Belinda grabbed his arm, bent slightly, and hurled him over her shoulder. The man hit the ground with a heavy thud.

Belinda coughed violently, then formed a fist and struck the man’s face with a resounding blow.

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