“Don’t worry, I’ll say goodbye this time.”
I replied seriously.
C
11:19 Tue, 5 Aug 17 O
<
This answer stunned Julian.
He pressed his lips tightly together, seemingly very displeased with me.
He took a step forward and snatched my suitcase.
“No more talking. Let’s just go home first.”
“No, I still have to meet a client.”
As we were pulling back and forth, a familiar voice cut in.
“Julian, what… Lily?”
Victoria came jogging over from a distance.
When she saw my face, her smile instantly froze.
Then, it morphed into an expression of surprise.
“Lily, you’re finally back? I thought you were still mad at me?”
As she spoke, she casually linked her arm through Julian’s, asserting her claim.
Julian subtly frowned, pulling his arm away.
His gaze remained fixed on me.
“It’s sunny out here. Let’s go back first.”
“No need to trouble yourselves. I’ve already booked a hotel, Mr. Harrington.”
I really didn’t want any more involvement with Julian and his family.
Saying that, I tried to walk past them.
But Julian reached out and grabbed my wrist.
His grip wasn’t too hard, but I couldn’t break free,
18%)
11:19 Tue, 5 Aug
<
How could the great Mr. Harrington stand being refused by me again and again?
His tone finally carried a hint of displeasure.
“Four years, and you’re still so eager to escape? Lily, you’re an ungrateful brat.”
At that moment, he was like a stubborn, childish boy.
Clearly caring so much, yet unwilling to lower his proud head.
Victoria’s smile faltered.
“Julian, Lily might have something to do, why don’t you let her…”
“Shut up.”
Julian cut Victoria off mercilessly.
Victoria froze, her chest heaving.
I looked at Julian in disbelief. He actually treated Victoria like that?
In the end, Dylan stepped in to smooth things over.
He suggested I stay at a hotel first.
“Hey, Lily must be tired from a full day of flying. Julian, just let her rest.”
“As for the future, there’s always tomorrow, right?”
Those words, “there’s always tomorrow,” were like stones thrown into a calm lake,
causing Julian’s brows to relax a little.
He finally released my hand, letting me go.
Victoria finally couldn’t hold back her tears.
“Julian, how could you…”
O
11:19 Tue, 5 Aug W·
<
“I told you to shut up!”
Julian abruptly turned his head, his eyes showing undisguised annoyance.
Victoria’s tears streamed down her face.
4 ཱ 18%2
In these four years, even if Julian hadn’t been as indulgent with her as before, he had
never been so utterly ruthless and devoid of consideration.
Julian still followed me.
“What’s your current phone number? I won’t bother you, I just want to save it.”
This was probably the most humble thing the proud Mr. Harrington could ever say.
For someone of his arrogance, this was already his limit.
I gave him the number.
Refusing wouldn’t help anyway.
Since I had chosen to return, I knew I couldn’t avoid him.
After my business meeting with the client, I returned to the hotel to rest.
Before falling asleep, my phone suddenly vibrated.
It was a text message from Julian:
[This time, don’t think you can pull a vanishing act again.]
I smiled, not bothering to reply.
A few days later, Julian, without my permission, threw a welcome–back party for me.
I couldn’t very well refuse.
Julian had, after all, shown me kindness.
11:19 Tue, 5 Aug
<
At the party, many people changed their previous attitudes, becoming warm and flattering towards me.
Victoria sat alone in a corner, her gaze fixed on me with venomous resentment.
During the party, someone joked with me.
“Lily Evans, you’re pretty smart too, playing this retreat–to–advance trick so smoothly.”
It was Julian’s friend, Chad Miller.
Among those who mocked me back then, he had the nastiest mouth.
Dylan quickly stopped him.
“Good thing Julian stepped out, or you’d be in for it.”
7
