LOGINHe was called back on short notice.
Julian anticipated it wasn't good news. Before he even entered, he heard crying; it was Rose. He suppressed his irritation and went inside, whereupon Maria's inflammatory voice immediately rose.
"Oh, isn't this Julian? You're finally back. If you hadn't come, the family would have been in an uproar over your affairs."
Julian ignored her and strode forward, standing before the Old Master, "You urgently called me back. What's the matter?"
Adrian was utterly furious with Leila. After dropping her off at the villa entrance, Adrian didn't even get out to see her off, not bothering to give her an umbrella.On her way back, she didn't forget to call Julian."What's wrong with you? Leila told you, why didn't you inform me in advance? Now look, Vanessa knows."Julian hadn't intended to hide the matter from the start. "So be it if she knows.""She's very angry now. You figure it out yourself.""Got it."Vanessa was already stubborn; this incident only made her harder to appease.Julian specifically woke up early, personally queued to buy the dessert from Vanessa's favorite childhood shop, chose the right time to deliver it, and waited outside her hotel room. It took her a long time to open the door."Why are you still here?"Julian was there to apologize, caution hidden in his eyes. "I know you haven't wanted to see me lately. Here, take this. Didn't you used to like eating this when you were in a bad mood?""Are your matters
Her injuries felt like they would never truly mend. It was another gloomy, wet day, and Vanessa was in constant pain.The painkillers had run out, and she had to venture out in the rain to buy more.Her umbrella offered little defense against the driving wind and rain. Her clothes were soaked through, and the familiar ache in her arm flared up again, making every step a monumental effort as she walked. A car followed behind, pulling up beside her. The windows were streaked with rain, but the driver still lowered theirs.“What are you doing out here alone? Where’s Julian?”It was Adrian.Leila was in the passenger seat. Seeing Vanessa in such a disheveled state, she couldn’t hide a flicker of malicious glee.“Buying medicine.” Vanessa offered only two words.“You’re still staying in a hotel? I’ll give you a ride back. Get in.”To her, Adrian was no different from Julian—both equally loathsome.“No need.” Vanessa continued walking, her steps in the rain slower than an ordinary person’s,
Julian came and went, not lingering.Stacey was left behind, facing Maria's passive-aggressive remarks and the Old Master's interrogations alone. She was physically and mentally exhausted, yet couldn't blame anyone. When she went downstairs for a warm drink, Cliff was also at the water bar."Water?" He adjusted his glasses lightly and handed her the honey water in front of him. "Drink this; it's freshly made.""Thank you." Stacey took it, the melancholy on her face impossible to hide."I heard Aunt Blain caused you trouble?" Cliff comforted softly, as if speaking on Julian's behalf. "Don't worry, Julian never wrongfully accuses anyone."That was true. But that wasn't what Stacey was worried about. "Bro, you said before that Miss Brooks wouldn't be with Julian. Is that true?""It's true, but Vanessa was kicked out by Uncle Voss and is pregnant now. Her current situation is hard to say. After all, if she's not with Julian, she has no other options, don't you think?"This couldn't be cal
Pulling Auntie Blain away, Jerry finally let go. She adjusted her shawl, brushed back her hair, and steadied her nerves."Auntie Blain, please, don't come here again. Mr. Frost is already furious." Jerry's advice was well-meaning, but Auntie Blain wouldn't listen."You're the one who told Julian, aren't you?"Jerry was helpless, truly wondering how the gentle Stacey could have such a rogue aunt. "If Mr. Frost hadn't come and something serious happened, it wouldn't be something you could bear the consequences for.""I'm going to beat that hussy's child out of her, so she doesn't get ahead of herself just because she's carrying some bastard!""Auntie Blain!"Getting out of the car, Stacey hurried over, grabbing her aunt's arm, her expression a mix of panic and nervousness. "Jerry, what happened?""You can ask her yourself," Jerry said, a slap mark still blooming on her face from the unwarranted blow. "Miss Vanessa's health is already delicate. Charging in to hit her like that... Mr. Fro
After spending a night in the hospital, Vanessa was discharged in the afternoon.Julian didn't appear, sending Jerry to pick her up instead. Vanessa, neither warm nor cold, entrusted Jerry with a message for Julian, "Tell him, if he can't meet my conditions, he shouldn't bother coming to see me again for a while.""Miss Brooks..."Jerry felt profoundly troubled on Julian's behalf. "Your conditions are indeed a bit unreasonable. Mr. Frost has already done his utmost to meet them for you... his solution isn't bad at all, actually.""If you think it's so good, then *you* marry him," Vanessa said calmly, yet her words were sharp enough to completely silence Jerry.Knowing full well he couldn't win an argument with Vanessa, Jerry quietly shut his mouth. "Miss Brooks, the discharge procedures are done. We can go."He walked ahead and opened the ward door. A figure swiftly darted past him. Before Jerry could even react, the person had rushed up to Vanessa, raising a hand without a word and d
The deep night after midnight grew even colder, the wind like blades.Julian had quit smoking for many days but relapsed. In the brief time he'd been in the car, he'd smoked three or four cigarettes, his face etched with fatigue, eyes sunken from days of restless nights.The car stopped downstairs at the Frost family residence. He hadn't gone up in a long time, tilting his head back, exhaling smoke with a blank, numb expression. His mind was filled with memories of Vanessa at twenty, hugging him, clinging to him, her chin tilted up as she gazed at him, her eyes brimming with warm, vibrant love.It was intense, enough to melt his cold heart.But in a blink.He was back in that hospital scene.Her eyes were hollow, devoid of all youthful sparkle. She had probably cried too many times, the corners of her eyes red and swollen, almost raw from tears. Her lashes drooped, expressing both loss and hatred, as she spoke hoarsely: "If only I had a knife, I would drag you down with me."She wante
Though her foot was sprained, Julian's desire remained undiminished, but his movements were noticeably gentler.Afterward, he went to the balcony for a cigarette.Vanessa turned over and, taking advantage of Julian's absence, retrieved a pill from the bedside table and swallowed it. It was the best
Vanessa nodded with effort, "I'm fine.""I'll take you to the lounge."They were about to leave when Freda stepped forward, blocking their way. She pointed a finger at Jeremy's nose, "Where did you come from, are you blind? Didn't you see I was scolding her? Who told you to take her
A moment of stunned surprise."Cousin, really?" The man didn't believe it. "Weren't you going to marry that woman from the Lane family?"The marriage hadn't been called off yet. At his age, with his father and great-grandfather pressing him, he had to get married as soon as possible
Three years ago, when Cameron brought back that lab report, Adrian only glanced at it hastily. She didn't rule out the possibility of it being falsified, but if it was fake, why would they have been willing to let Vanessa suffer for three years?These questions could only be answered when







