Chapter 724



Belinda didn’t so much as glance in his direction. Instead, she turned to Bethany and asked coolly, “If someone talks to me, am I obligated to respond?” Bethany smirked, barely suppressing a chuckle. Regaining her composure, she added matter-of-factly, “Not at all. Whether you respond or not is entirely your choice. No one has the right to force you.”

“Ryan,” Verena called softly, stopping him before he could argue further. Then, turning back to Belinda, she bit her lip, her expression resolute. “Ms. Wright, I’m serious. I’ll do anything for you to forgive me.”

Hearing this, Belinda let out a soft, amused laugh. Her lips curved into a sly smile as she turned to Verena. “Really? You mean to say that as long as I forgive you, Miss Reed, you’d be willing to do anything?”

“Yes,” Verena answered without hesitation, her nod firm and her expression unwavering. “I mean it, Ms. Wright. Please believe me.”

Belinda nodded, her gaze steady as she studied Verena. Then she said, “Alright, I believe you. But…”

After a pause, she continued, “Just one drink? I would’ve thought an entire bottle might be more convincing.”

As the words left her mouth, the room seemed to hold its breath. Verena’s confident facade cracked, and her expression froze.

Verena hadn’t anticipated that Belinda would say something so shocking—especially right in front of Lucas.

“Belinda! Have you lost your senses? An entire bottle of whisky! Do you even understand what could happen if someone consumes all of that?” Ryan instantly lost his composure.

Memories flooded back to him—the last time he guzzled an entire bottle of whisky, he had ended up in the hospital that very night, undergoing a stomach lavage. It was an ordeal he never wished to experience again!

Belinda, however, appeared unfazed. She blinked innocently as she turned to Bethany once more. “Didn’t Miss Reed claim she’d do whatever it takes to earn my forgiveness? Or did I misinterpret her intentions?”

Bethany nodded, playing along. “You’re absolutely right! That’s exactly what I heard, too. Or is her so-called sincerity nothing more than hollow words?”

Their exchange backed Verena into a corner.

Wasn’t she the one who had been so adamant about proving herself? Then they allowed her to do so.

“Fine!” Verena declared abruptly, her voice filled with determination.

She fixed her gaze on Belinda, resolve radiating from her. “I stand by my statements!”

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