Chapter 552



Verena’s hands trembled as she stammered, “I… I just heard it from someone else.”

Lucas’s expression darkened further. “You believe everything you hear? What’s wrong with you? Are you stupid or something? If Belinda had really been assaulted, do you think she would be standing here working like nothing happened?”

His words were deliberately loud.

He wanted everyone present to hear this.

Verena’s eyes instantly filled with tears.

In all the years she had known Lucas, he had never spoken to her like this.

Now, he was scolding her in front of so many people.

At that moment, Verena felt humiliated and hurt.

Lucas’s gaze was as cold as ice. “Didn’t Ryan say you were too weak to leave your bed after your latest self-harm stunt? Funny how you seem fine enough to spread gossip.”

Verena’s face paled, her mouth opening as if to respond, but no words came.

Before she could say anything, Lucas’s tone grew harsher. “Go back to your hospital room. Now.”

Lucas felt like he was about to explode with anger.

Each word from Verena earlier had felt like a ruthless knife twist, deeply piercing both Belinda’s and his hearts.

𝕄ØЯE 𝕌PĐΛTΞŞ IИ GΛŁИØVΞŁŞ.ᑕØᗰ How could he not be mad?

In that instant, Verena could no longer restrain her tears, which streamed down her face freely.

With a hand over her mouth and tears blurring her vision, she fled the scene, her sobs echoing behind her.

Lucas turned to Belinda, the coldness in his expression slowly melting away.

He extended the bag he was carrying to her. “You might not have had enough at lunch. Here, have some more food.”

Belinda, however, didn’t even acknowledge the gesture; she simply turned and left.

As Lucas watched her go, he was engulfed by a storm of helplessness and frustration.

He knew that the sting of Verena’s words had deeply affected Belinda once again.

They had resonated with her.

She had grown more distant from him now.

Lucas approached a nearby nurse and handed her the bag. “Could you deliver this to Belinda for me, please?”

Surprised, the nurse accepted the bag and nodded affirmatively. “Certainly, Mr. Clark! I’ll see that she receives it.”

“Thank you.” With those words, Lucas left.

He realized this was not the right moment to see Belinda.

She needed time to process her emotions alone.

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