Julian began to understand after Charlotte's talk. Just when he was at a loss for how to make amends, a timely call from his mother, Mrs. Sterling, came to his rescue. Mrs. Sterling called Lily directly. Lily was somewhat surprised and nervously answered, "Mom." "Lily, have your parents gone back?" "Yes." "Then why haven't you and Julian come back for dinner? Are you two having a quarrel?" Lily stuttered in response, "No, no, we're just busy, sorry, Mom."
"I don't think it's just being busy. I asked Julian, and those rumors in the newspaper are all false. Don't worry too much about it," Mrs. Sterling reassured. "Yes, I'm fine, Mom. Don't worry about me," Lily responded. Mrs. Sterling was referring to the previous day's entertainment headlines, which speculated about Julian's new love interest. Lily had to admit, seeing that report did unsettle her for a moment.
However, Lily seemed indifferent to his efforts, which only added to his frustration. One day, as Lily was tearfully watching a movie, Julian, feeling neglected, couldn't stand it anymore. "Why watch these kinds of movies? They're so unproductive, and you'll ruin your eyes crying." He didn't find the movie touching at all; in fact, he disliked any movie that made her cry.Lily gave him a look and said with a nasal voice, "You go watch your financial reports and economic news, and don't bother me!" Julian immediately shut up but still stayed by her side. In the movie, the heroine tells the hero that they should walk a hundred steps away from each other, and if they look back and still see each other, she would listen to him.Lily was feeling emotional when Julian, in a mood-killing moment, said, "Why walk? Just hug her and kiss her un
Lily Parker sat silently in a secluded corner of the departure lounge. Her right hand clutched her bag tightly, while her left intentionally pulled the brim of her hat down low, effectively shadowing more than half of her petite face.Time dragged on relentlessly. With each tick of the clock, an unbearable weight pressed down on Lily. Her eyes refused to drift, and in truth, since she had gotten her boarding pass, she hadn't felt at ease for a single moment. She remained tense, so alert that even her breaths were cautiously held.At last, the airport's PA system announced her flight was boarding. She heaved a sigh of relief, quickly scanning the vicinity with her peripheral vision. Rising, she tightened her trench coat and briskly walked to the boarding gate. Gripping her boarding pass anxiously, she waited in line, looking as though she wished to board immediately and escape this oppressive place.When it was finally her turn, an airport staff member took her boarding pass and discre
Unable to hold back, Lily began to cry uncontrollably. It was as if she was venting all the pent-up feelings of repression, indignation, and humiliation she had been harboring for so long. The bitter tears made her beautiful eyes appear even more pitiful.With a smile, Julian remarked, "My dear Lily, why the tears? Aren't you afraid I might be heartbroken?" Gasping for breath, her voice shaky, Lily pleaded, "Mr. Sterling, I beg you..."His playful demeanor vanished instantly. It was as if the gentleness from a moment ago was merely an illusion. He coldly stared at her, "Beg me for what? Haven't I let you have your fun? Is it that you're unwilling to give up, or did you think that by finding wings you could fly? Did I give you permission?" He scoffed and sauntered over to a genuine leather sofa, casually leaning back. "What are you still doing standing there? Come here!"Lily's face turned as pale as paper. She took a few difficult steps forward, forced to approach the devil himself,
Julian Sterling's sports car smoothly glided into the heavily guarded military compound, tracing an elegant arc. He turned off the ignition and, just as he was stepping out, he ran into his older brother, Adrian Sterling.Adrian had just returned from his military duties. His green uniform made him look distinctly imposing, and his hawk-like sharp eyes caught Julian's presence. He squinted, sizing Julian up for a long moment before remarking with a slight smirk, "What? Tired of your games? Finally decided to come home?"Despite being brothers, the two couldn't have looked more different. Julian, in his crisp suit, radiated a refined charm. Adrian, shaped by his prolonged military life, emanated a cold, resolute aura. Each had his unique appeal, and neither outshone the other.Slapping Adrian on the shoulder with a grin, Julian replied, "Of course. It's my home, after all." He then craned his neck to peer inside the house, a hint of unease evident in his eyes. Lowering his voice, he as
To his relief, it wasn’t one of his matchmaking prospects, but his cousin, Isabella. Seeing that the housekeeper was still setting the table, Julian took a seat beside Isabella, crossed his legs and asked, "What brings you here today? Something up?" Having spent a few years abroad for her studies, their relationship was neither close nor distant. He remembered her as a child, two little braids bouncing as she ran after him. As she grew up, she had become more reserved, losing some of that endearing childlike charm.Isabella always had a refined and delicate beauty. Today, dressed in a pale yellow chiffon dress, she looked even more serene. She slightly furrowed her brows, seeming a tad displeased at Julian's probing demeanor. She replied softly, "Nothing in particular. I just came to visit Aunt and Uncle."Julian Sterling quirked a playful smirk, teasing her, "Why the long face, Isabella? Someone owes you money or what? Ouch!" He yelped as his mother's foot found his shin. Mumbling un
As expected, right after dinner, Julian was summoned to the study. Steeling himself, he knocked, only to be met with a chilly voice from within: "Enter." He took a deep breath before pushing the door open, finding his father sitting sternly in a mahogany chair, his intimidating brow furrowed in displeasure. Julian remembered that look all too well from his childhood; every time he'd misbehaved, that was the face that greeted him. As a child, he would often run to his grandfather for shelter, but now, with his trusted ally away, Julian had to carefully navigate the situation. "Father, you wanted to see me?" Nicholas Sterling's face was as cold as ice, his voice even colder. "You have the audacity to ask?" With a sudden slap on the desk, Julian's heart skipped a beat, sensing trouble. He hurriedly replied, "Dad, please calm down. Let's talk things through. If I've made a mistake, I'll correct it. Isn't that acceptable?" "Enough of your deceit! Don't think you can keep pulling the woo
Isabella hesitated, her gaze fixed on the road ahead without uttering a word. Julian chuckled condescendingly. One hand on the steering wheel, he playfully tousled Isabella's hair with the other, saying dismissively, "Come on, if you have something to say, just spit it out. Why the formalities between us?" His years navigating the treacherous waters of business and politics hadn't been in vain. He could read the slightest shift in anyone's thoughts, let alone Isabella, whom he'd known since childhood.Julian's eyes narrowed to slits, his gaze nonchalantly fixed on the road, seemingly waiting for Isabella's response.Isabella appeared distant, her lips pressed together as if debating internally—should she speak or not?The night's shadows painted an alluring darkness within the car. Periodically, the iridescent lights from outside would streak across Julian's inscrutable face, casting it in an even more imposing and enigmatic light.Seeming to make up her mind, Isabella suddenly smiled
"Bro, let's go there," Isabella, who had silently taken her place behind Julian, nudged him. Her face was inscrutable, betraying no emotion."As the guest of honor, sit here!" As Julian approached, someone immediately vacated a spot for him. He took the seat with ease, his piercing eyes unabashedly roaming over Ethan and his companion. "And who might this be? You're quite secretive, Ethan. Aren't you going to introduce her to us?" Ethan tenderly squeezed the girl's hand and said with a smile, "This is Lily Parker, my girlfriend. Please don't tease her too much, Julian. Otherwise, who will compensate me if she gets scared away? And Lily," he whispered into her ear, "just call him ‘Julian’.”Upon hearing Ethan's introduction, Lily looked up at Julian and greeted him with a warm smile, “Julian, nice to meet you." Her delicate eyebrows and the crescent moon curve of her eyes when she smiled were enchanting. With her exquisite features, she appeared as an alluring pearl, impossible to look