Chapter 1781:
At the mention of the troubling topic, Johnson’s expression transformed into one of profound solemnity.
Belinda pressed her lips into a thin line, her voice heavy with disappointment. “But we possess no concrete evidence. No matter how extensively we theorize, there’s nothing substantial to prove our suspicions.”
Johnson offered a nod of agreement. “Exactly. After all, Faye maintains her status as Lucas’s niece. Without irrefutable proof, we cannot take action against her.”
Belinda couldn’t suppress the bitter laugh that escaped her lips. “Lucas appears to flee from Faye’s presence whenever she’s anywhere near him now.”
Bethany’s mouth curved into a petulant pout. “Considering their complicated family dynamics, Lucas probably finds himself trapped, with avoidance as his only viable strategy.”
Belinda released a deep sigh, her tone saturated with resignation. “It’s an impossible situation. Lucas genuinely can’t conceive of another approach to handle his supposed niece.”
Johnson echoed her sigh before lifting his glass. “Let’s just drink.”
Belinda and Bethany raised their glasses in unison, a crystalline chime ringing out as they clinked them against his.
Partway through their gathering, Belinda excused herself to visit the restroom. On her way back to their private dining room, she encountered someone familiar.
Lyle also hadn’t anticipated such a coincidental encounter with Belinda in this place.
Upon spotting Lyle, Belinda experienced a moment of startled recognition but swiftly recovered her composure and prepared to continue on, her expression carefully neutral.
As she moved past Lyle, she kept her gaze fixed ahead.
“Belinda.”
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝘁 gⲁⳑ𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⧽ⅽ𝗈𝗺
Lyle seized the initiative and called out to her.
Belinda halted mid-step.
Lyle closed the distance between them, his eyes seeking hers with desperate intensity. “Can we talk properly?”
“No,” Belinda said without the slightest hesitation.
She stated with arctic coolness, “I’ve already made my position crystal clear—from now on, even when fate forces our paths to cross, we shall remain complete strangers. Furthermore, I cannot fathom any topic that would warrant discussion between us.”
“I owe you my gratitude,” Lyle said with sincerity. “Thank you for saving my aunt before.”
“I saved Carola, but it has nothing to do with you.”
With that, Belinda resumed her departure without a backward glance.
As she disappeared from view, a turbulent storm of conflicting emotions swept across Lyle’s face. He found himself unable to escape the haunting reflection: had he been too hasty in judging Belinda based solely on her parentage and Kylee’s poisonous whispers?
The recent jewelry store robbery had revealed something that shattered his preconceptions. The woman he had consistently despised had willingly risked her own life to save someone who had no ties to her—someone who could reasonably be considered an adversary. Meanwhile, his beloved cousin, whom he had treasured and protected since childhood, had chosen her own survival over her mother’s safety without hesitation.
