?Chapter 1625:


    “I’m fine, Mom. Don’t worry,” Faye said quickly, trying to soothe her.


    Georgie’s tone shifted to frustration. “What were you thinking, going to a bar alone to drink? What happened? Did someone upset you? Was it Lucas?”


    “No, no one upset me,” Faye…


    replied. “Uncle Lucas and Belinda have both been great to me. I’m okay, really. I just… felt like having a drink, that’s all. Please don’t make it a big deal.”


    Georgie exhaled heavily, her voice turning cold. “Tell Lucas to call me the second you’re home.”


    “Mom, I—” Faye started, but Georgie cut her off.


    “Just do as I say!” Georgie snapped, hanging up before Faye could say more.


    With no other option, Faye passed the message along. “Uncle Lucas, my mother said you need to call her when we get home.”


    Lucas’ expression didn’t flicker. He responded coolly, “Okay.”


    After a brief silence, his tone grew frigid again. “Why did you go drinking alone tonight? And at a bar, of all ces?”


    Faye looked down, her voice unsteady. “It’s nothing. I just wanted a drink…”


    Lucas’ voice dropped lower, edged with ice. “What? Moving back to the old house is such a problem for you? Were you angry with me for that decision?”


    “No!” Faye protested, her voice desperate. “Uncle Lucas, that’s not what I meant at all.”


    After speaking, she turned to Belinda, her tone pleading. “Belinda, please don’t make me move out, okay? Everything that happened before was my fault. I was thoughtless and caused you both trouble. I promise I’ll never do it again. Please, I’m begging you—let me stay in your ce. I want to keep looking after you.”


    This was a tricky situation handed to Belinda. Silence had been her n. But Faye, perched in the back seat, had turned the conversation toward her with a question that demanded an answer, shattering her hopes of staying quiet.


    Swiveling her head just enough to catch Faye’s gaze in the rearview mirror, Belinda forced a soft smile. “Faye, I see how you’ve been carrying this guilt about my injury. You think it’s your fault, and that’s why you’ve been wanting to take care of me. I get it, truly.”


    After a pause, she continued, “But I’m fine now. You don’t need to take care of me anymore. And let’s be real—crashing at my ce, sleeping on that guest bed, it’s notfortable for you. There’s no way it feels as cozy as your own room, right? So Lucas and I, we’ve talked it over. We think it’s time for you to move back to the family residence. It’s for your own good, Faye.” Her tone stayed warm.


    Faye’s face froze, her eyes widening for a heartbeat before she shook her head vigorously, hands iling in protest. “No, Belinda, it’s not like that. Staying with you has been great—really, I mean it. I love living at your ce.”


    Belinda’s smile turned wistful, her head tilting as she waved off Faye’s words. “Come on now, you don’t have to sugarcoat it for me. Besides, if your mom or grandfather got wind of this, they would be displeased knowing you’re camped out at my house just to look after me. So you are moving back to the family residence.”


    Her words left no room for argument.


    At this point, there was nothing more Faye could say to change her mind. She bit her lip, her gaze dropping to her hands. “Alright,” she murmured.


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