?<strong>Chapter 220:</strong>


    Still, she would honor Lucas’ choice if he declined the dare. Yet, as she walked to stand in front of Lucas, Lucas stayed quiet.


    It seemed that he wasn’t nning to refuse the kiss.


    A sense of joy washed over Belinda at that moment. She moved forward without hesitation, settling onto Lucas’p and encircling his neck with her arms.


    Lucas lifted his eyes to meet hers, their heartbeats racing in the charged atmosphere.


    Belinda leaned closer, about to kiss him.


    However, at that instant…


    “Wait!” Verena’s voice cut through the tension.


    Belinda furrowed her brows slightly upon hearing Verena’s voice and turned to look at her.


    “I will drink for Lucas this time. He doesn’t have to do this with Belinda,” Verena said, drawing a deep breath as if summoning all her courage.


    Bethany let out a sharp, mockingugh. “Did you forget the rules? No one can drink for others.”


    Verena bit her lip, her voice trembling. “But… But I…”


    Before she could finish, Belinda cut her off, her tone icy. “Lucas drank for me earlier because he’s my husband. He has the right to do that. But you, drinking for Lucas…” Belinda’s gaze swept over Verena, her expression cold and assessing. “Who do you think you are to do that?”


    The pointed questions struck Verena silent. Her face paled, her vulnerability stark as she turned to Lucas, her eyes pleading for support. Yet, Lucas merely nced at her, his expression indifferent. He said nothing.


    Belinda’s lips curved into a faint smirk. She reached out, gently cupping Lucas’ face, and turned his face toward her. Without hesitation, she kissed him.


    Lucas’ pupils widened briefly when their lips touched, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before his gaze steadied. Belinda’s heartbeat quickened, but she maintained herposure, the kiss a calcted disy.


    “Stop! Stop! That’s against the rules!” Bethany’s voice rang out suddenly, breaking the moment.


    Belinda paused, stopping the kiss to eye Bethany with mild annoyance.


    Bethany crossed her arms, her tone serious. “One arm around his neck, Belinda! And don’t forget—it’s supposed to be a one-minute French kiss. Where’s the tongue action?”


    Belinda shot Bethany a re butplied, wrapping her arm around Lucas’ neck. This time, when she leaned in, she kissed Lucas with more intensity. As her tongue brushed his lips, she instinctively hesitated, retreating slightly. But Lucas moved forward, his lips catching hers with a deliberate softness. He deepened the kiss, his subtle movements drawing her in.


    Belinda froze, her pupils dting as she was overwhelmed by the unexpected response. Her eyes met Lucas’, and in that moment, something charged passed between them. Everyone in the room seemed to hold their breath.


    Lost in the moment, Belinda couldn’t help but lightly suck on Lucas’ lips. Watching them, Verena felt her chest tighten with frustration and jealousy. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. A storm of emotions swirled within her—an urge to pull Belinda away from Lucas, to p her, to do something, anything. But she couldn’t. She had no right to act on those feelings, and the realization only deepened her frustration.


    Ryan, on the other hand, felt a different kind of frustration. The game he had so confidently orchestrated had spiraled out of his control.


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