Chapter 707



In a private room at a restaurant…

“Belinda, eat more,” Holley said warmly, adding another serving onto Belinda’s plate.

Belinda smiled. “Alright, Mom, but you should eat, too. Stop piling food on my plate.”

Holley’s face lit up with happiness. “I just love seeing you enjoy your meal. When you’re happy, I’m happy.”

Laughing softly, Belinda placed a piece of food onto Holley’s plate. “Then let’s both eat together.”

Holley nodded, her smile growing. “Okay, okay, let’s enjoy this meal.”

As they ate, Belinda glanced at Holley, her tone turning serious. “How’s your injury? I know you’ve been discharged, but you still need to be careful. No heavy lifting with your left hand, and try not to put weight on your left foot.”

Holley nodded. “Don’t worry; I know my condition. I’ve been staying in a wheelchair as much as possible.”

“Good,” Belinda said, her expression softening.

Holley then changed the topic, her tone casual but probing. “Belinda, you’ve been spending a lot of time with Mr. Clark lately.”

Belinda didn’t respond immediately; instead, she focused on her food.

Undeterred, Holley continued, “Honestly, Mr. Clark is quite remarkable. Having someone like him as a husband isn’t a bad thing… But I still hope you’ll keep your distance from him. I just don’t want you to repeat the same mistakes. I’m afraid of seeing you get hurt again. You’ve already been hurt once by Mr. Clark.”

Holley said these words earnestly, carefully choosing her words.

Belinda paused, her fork hovering over her plate. Something flickered in her expression as she raised her gaze to Holley. “Mom, was it you who told Lucas that I have a ‘deeply hidden lover’ in my heart?”

“Yes! I told him that,” Holley admitted without hesitation.

Belinda’s breath deepened as she took a calming inhale. “And was it also you who said I only see Lucas as a substitute?”

“Well… Yes, I said that, too.” Holley fidgeted nervously under Belinda’s gaze.

After a pause, she continued, “I told him that because I wanted him to back off. I didn’t want you two to get back together again, so I thought it was the only way to make him let you go…”

Her words trailed off, and she glanced anxiously at Belinda. “Belinda… Was I meddling too much? Are you angry with me?”

Belinda’s face darkened, her displeasure evident. She fixed Holley with a frosty gaze, her voice low and firm. “I don’t want to have any more contact with Lucas, either. But even so, how could you say something like that to him? Do you realize you’re slandering me? If word gets out, do you know how people will view me? And besides, it’s not even true!”

Holley’s expression shifted to one of panic and guilt. Her hands fidgeted nervously as she stammered, “I-I’m sorry, Belinda! I didn’t realize it would get this serious! I just thought that maybe if I said that, Mr. Clark would get angry with you and stop bothering you anymore.”

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