?<strong>Chapter 358:</strong>


    Just as Lucas’ lips were about to brush hers, a shrill ringtone shattered the moment, cutting through the tension like a de. Both Lucas and Belinda froze. Belinda’s eyes snapped open, her cheeks ming as she quickly averted her gaze. Lucas exhaled heavily, clearing his throat as he also averted his gaze.


    Wordlessly, he led Belinda toward the edge of the pool. Once there, he hoisted her onto the poolside with ease before climbing out of the pool himself. Belinda sat awkwardly, avoiding Lucas’ gaze as Lucas grabbed his towel. His brow furrowed slightly as he nced at the caller ID on his phone.


    After a beat, he answered the phone, his voice clipped. “Hello.”


    The voice on the other end of the line was frantic. “Lucas! Verena has been kidnapped!”


    Lucas’ eyes widened, shock shing across his face. “What did you just say?” he asked.


    “Verena went shopping with her friends today, but some men in ck kidnapped her in the parking lot!” Ryan’s voice was tight with urgency.


    “I’m on my way.” Lucas didn’t waste another second. He hung up the phone without asking for more details.


    Turning to Belinda, he said briskly, “Verena has been kidnapped. I have to go now.”


    Without waiting for a response, he grabbed his towel and made for the exit.


    “Wait!” Belinda’s hand shot out, grabbing his wrist. She said with a calm expression, “If Verena has been kidnapped, you should call the police—not rush there on your own!”


    Lucas paused for a moment and looked back at her. His expression was unreadable, but his voice was steady. “Even so, I still have to go there.”


    Belinda’s hand ckened, and her eyes were now filled with hurt. Her lips parted as she asked softly, “So no matter what, you’re going, aren’t you?”


    Lucas’ gaze darkened, and he answered in a low, resolute tone, “Yes.”


    Without another word, he gently pulled his wrist from her grasp and walked away. He had always had a sense of responsibility toward Verena. Ignoring her wasn’t an option.


    Belinda stood motionless, her heart sinking as she watched Lucas leave. Disappointment weighed heavily on her chest, making her almost struggle to breathe. She then let out a soft, bitterugh. She should have expected this, shouldn’t she? Lucas was always concerned when it came to matters about Verena. The lingering power of a first love was indeed unparalleled.


    What did she have topete with this?


    Belinda’sugh turned self-mocking as she slowly rose from the edge of the pool. Thoughts swirled chaotically in her mind, drowning her in a sea of insecurity and frustration. Distracted and not paying attention to her footing on the wet surface, she suddenly slipped as she tried to walk.


    With a gasp, she lost her bnce and toppled into the water. A loud ssh shattered the stillness of the pool as her body plunged into the water. Panic set in immediately.


    “Help! Someone help me, please!” Belinda iled wildly, trying hard to keep her head above water. The pool swallowed her cries, water rushing into her mouth, throat, and nose. The suffocating pressure constricted her chest, her lungs screaming for air.


    Her arms thrashed desperately, but the water seemed to pull her down with force. She felt heavier and colder with every passing second. Just as despair began to creep in—her mind racing with a terrifying thought that this might be the end for her— a voice broke through the chaos.


    “Mrs. rk!” The rmed cry from a female servant suddenly echoed. “Someone help! Mrs. rk is drowning!” the servant shouted before diving into the pool.


    .


    .


    .