Chapter 59



Lucas appeared briefly shocked by Ryan’s interruption but quickly regained his composed demeanor. “Lucas…” Verena moved closer, her voice filled with tenderness as she looked at him with concern. “Are you and Ms. Thomas…”

Lucas remained silent. Jealousy began to eat away at Ryan. Standing tall, Ryan said, “Lucas, you promised Verena that after your divorce from that ugly woman, you would marry her. But why are you here having a meal together with Ms. Thomas now? What’s going on between you two?”

“Ryan.”

Just then, a commanding voice resonated through the hall. All heads turned as Darren stepped forward from the shadows, his face set in a stern expression. Accompanying him were several prominent ladies from the high society social circle.

“Darren, Mollie,” Belinda said, her voice tinged with surprise upon seeing them both.

Darren approached, gave a brief nod to Belinda, and then fixed his gaze on Ryan. “Since you know that Lucas is still married, why do you encourage your cousin’s advances? What are your intentions?”

Facing Darren’s stern words, Ryan swallowed hard, his voice tight as he argued, “Lucas and my cousin are each other’s true loves. They were separated by unexpected circumstances, and they still care deeply for each other now. Besides—”

But before he could continue, Darren cut in sharply, “That is in the past! Lucas is now a married man with responsibilities! If your cousin pursues him, she is meddling in another family’s affairs—that’s nothing short of being a homewrecker!”

Darren’s words struck Verena like a blow, wounding her deeply. She pressed her lips together, a mix of anger and hurt swirling within her. If only Lucas were free of Belinda, she wouldn’t be in such a vulnerable position. With these thoughts weighing on her, Verena turned to Lucas, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice breaking. “Lucas, do you… Do you see me as the other woman in your relationship with Belinda?”

Lucas met her gaze and frowned slightly. Ryan glared at Darren, inhaling sharply as he said, “Mr. Thomas, don’t you think that’s a bit harsh? While you cast aspersions on my cousin, perhaps you should scrutinize your god-sister Belinie’s actions! Isn’t it disgraceful for her to seduce Lucas, too? She knows Lucas is married, yet she dines alone with him. And just the other day, Verena and I saw her leaving Lucas’ office! Would you not label that as Belinie being a homewrecker?”

After a pause, he continued, “Moreover, you claim Belinie is joining the Cardiac Surgery Department at the Grand Plains General Hospital, but my aunt’s husband, the chief physician there, assures me there’s no one named Belinie or anyone with the surname Thomas working there, be they doctor or nurse. Isn’t it shameless of you to lie about that? What do you want to say to that now?” Ryan’s tone was firm as he said those words, his face etched with indignation.

Tessa, unable to suppress a chuckle at the escalating drama, turned to Mollie, her voice dripping with faux concern. “Mrs. Thomas, this doesn’t look good for your goddaughter.”

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