Yet, it seemed as if no one had heard her. The room continued its chatter, and Julian showed no reaction.Isabella, however, clapped her hands gleefully, pointing to the grand Steinway piano in the corner, "You all are so basic, always indulging in pop music. Classical is the trend now. Why don't we have Lily play something for us? Her piano pieces are said to be 'so divine, they're rarely heard on earth.'"Serena Winters chimed in with a laugh, feeding Preston a grape, "Indeed, our professors always said she had the potential to shine in Warsaw. It'd be a shame not to listen."Isabella smirked, "Would you mind playing something for us, Lily?"Lily didn't smile. She turned to look at Julian, who was leaning against a cushion. The lighting was too dim to see his face clearly. Even the most naive would realize that tonight's performance was merely a charade to mock her and appease Isabella. She could only hope that once their amusement was satiated, they would spare her family further t
Glass after glass, each one felt like a stab to her heart. Her senses were numbed, her face a mix of sweat, wine, and tears.Ethan, why won't you wake up? You told me to trust you, that you'd protect me. Why am I left alone to face all of this? Giving up isn't that hard, right? Look, I've done it. As long as I don't listen, don't see, don't think, it won't hurt. You hate seeing me in pain, so you'll forgive me, won't you?Lily was surprisingly composed given the circumstances. She managed a smile, "What more do you want from me to appease your grudges?" Lifting her gaze, she met Julian Sterling's deep, dark eyes. He just stood there, arms crossed, observing her with an indifferent detachment. Why had she been so naive to even consider trusting him?"Enough!" Lucas Hartley couldn't stand it any longer. He scoffed, "You all should know when to stop. For Ethan's sake, you can't go this far. Do you really want to destroy her?" Although he felt it wasn't worth it for Ethan to be so affecte
Julian Sterling's grip was firm, his solid hand tightly clutching Lily Parker's delicate wrist. Regardless of the expressions of those around, he forcefully pulled her out. The club was frequented by the elite, and as they made their way out, many greeted Julian with a flattering "Mr. Sterling." However, he acknowledged no one. A single cold "Move" from him was enough to send shivers down their spines, ensuring they didn’t dare approach any closer. Julian was a man naturally looked up to. Lily felt pain, a prickling sensation all over. The leg that Preston Harrow had kicked felt as if it had split open, every step she took was agonizing, like being pricked by a needle. And her hand, numbed by Julian's forceful grip, felt nothing. In her dazed state, she wondered, she had already bowed her head in submission, why wouldn't they just let her be? She stared at the man before her, who seemed utterly indifferent to her feelings. Anger bubbled inside her. She tried to shake off his grip, b
Lily felt drained, lacking the energy to argue further. As for right and wrong, the heavens knew. The alcohol in her system made her feel weak and unsteady. Slowly, she pulled herself up using the towel rack, wanting to escape this place. She realized that continuing this confrontation would only give him more opportunities to hurt her. Being naive once or twice was forgivable, but persisting in it was simply irredeemable.Julian watched her pale face intently, his voice deep and resonant. "And what about me? How do you feel about me?"Lily turned away, evading his question. "Mr. Sterling, you're naturally Ethan's friend. Helping me is a favor, and not helping is understandable. You've assisted me several times before, and I'm grateful.""Mr. Sterling," he mused, the formal and distant address grating on his nerves. He almost wished she'd shout his name in anger instead. The thought startled him. Had he gone mad?"Aren't you still seeking my help? That student of your father's, what's
It's said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, the most revealing part of a person's true emotions. At this moment, Julian Sterling's dark, luminous eyes were filled with an unmistakable desire.He wanted Lily Parker.A man's innate desire to conquer and possess a woman is a primal instinct. Born into privilege and accustomed to being looked up to and flattered, Julian saw Lily's distance and disdain as a challenge to his authority. In his thirty years of life, he had never been so thoroughly rejected.The flames of passion burned fiercely in his eyes, threatening to consume everything in their path. She stared back at him, her heart racing, almost leaping out of her chest. Just as he leaned in, she panicked and tried to dodge to one side, but he quickly pulled her back. Her breath caught, and she placed her hands on his chest, feeling an alarming warmth. His tanned skin radiated a wild, intimidating energy that made her tremble uncontrollably. In terms of strength and stature,
He looked down at her arrogantly, his eyes devoid of warmth. His towering presence cast her in shadow, and the overpowering aura he exuded sent her into a panic, prompting her to scream. However, her cries only seemed to excite him further. With a swift motion, he grabbed her by the shoulders and pinned her against the wall. In a defiant move, she slapped him hard across the face.He paused for a moment, then a cold smirk spread across his lips. Holding both her wrists above her head, he pressed her firmly against the wall. The burning sensation on his face from her slap seemed to fuel his aggression, and he bit down on her lips, showing no mercy. She whimpered in pain, her eyes wide with terror as she stared at the menacing man before her. Her struggles only seemed to heighten his sense of conquest. Yes, at that moment, all he wanted was to dominate her, to have her completely subdued beneath him. His gaze was as fierce as a wild beast's, and his heavy, heated breaths fell upon her e
Caught off guard, he managed to turn his face away just in time, but the lamp's crystal embellishments scratched a long gash across his chest. Bright red beads of blood quickly welled up, dripping onto her pale skin. The stark contrast of the crimson against her white flesh awakened the savage nature within him, obliterating any remaining trace of tenderness she had managed to evoke.Suddenly, he released the grip on her hands, sliding them down to her slender waist, holding her tightly. Without warning, he invaded her world.She didn't want him? He was Julian Sterling, the well-known fourth heir of the prestigious Sterling family in the capital, a man of power, talent, and good looks. Why would she reject him? A soft, prideful part of his heart felt shattered by her defiance, the pain spreading rapidly. Fine, he had never encountered something he couldn't have in his life. If she wasn't willing to give herself to him, he was determined to take what he wanted.In an instant, a searing
Lily felt as if she had been thrown into a blazing fire. The scorching flames seemed to consume her, the searing pain attacking every nerve, every inch of her skin. The pain was unbearable, yet she couldn't scream out. Her mouth tasted bitter, a sensation that spread from the tip of her tongue down her throat and into her very core, making it hard for her to breathe.She struggled desperately, resisting with all her might. Just when she thought she had escaped the abyss, she found herself plunging into the depths of a vast, bottomless ocean. The surging waves crashed against her, one after another, and the icy coldness seeped into her warm body, bringing with it a bone-chilling despair.Suddenly, a glimmer of hope appeared in the distance. Using all her strength, she swam towards it, only to find Ethan standing on the shore. But why was he looking at her with such cold eyes? Just as she was about to call out to him for help, in the blink of an eye, the figure transformed into Julian.