Chapter 4

As Julia turned, the man beside her followed suit.

Lawrence's eyes widened when he saw a face strikingly similar to his own. At that moment, every drop of blood in his body seemed to freeze.

Who was the man standing next to Julia? Her first love?

Lawrence had been with Julia for seven years and never knew she had a man she couldn't forget.

A sharp pain pierced his chest. As he turned to leave, Julia called out to him, "Lawrence, you're here!"

At his words, the crowd stared at Lawrence and whispered among themselves.

"Lawrence? Julia's assistant?"

"Why does he look so much like Patrick?"

"Didn't you know? He's the substitute. I heard that while Patrick was away for those seven years, Julia found someone to fill in for him. I guess that's him."

Their words kept rushing into his ears. Lawrence felt as if someone had wrapped their hands around his neck and was choking the breath out of him.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Hale." Julia's first love, Patrick Harrison, approached Lawrence and looked him up and down.

"Sorry, I heard Jules say you don't like attending events like this. But I really wanted to meet you, so I had her invite you."

Noticing the challenge in Patrick's eyes, Lawrence clenched his fists at his sides. "You wanted to meet me?"

He now realized that Julia hadn't canceled her engagement because of him, but because Patrick had returned.

The reason she had him dress up for the banquet was to let Patrick see what he—the substitute—looked like.

The pain in his heart was overwhelming. Lawrence felt his legs go weak, as if he could barely keep himself standing.

"I heard someone say that you look a bit like me. Jules, do you think we look alike?" Patrick tilted his head and asked Julia.

Smiling, Julia casually replied, "It's just a coincidence. He can't compare to you."

Lawrence's heart broke even more at her words. He staggered a step back.

He turned to leave, but Patrick blocked his way.

"Mr. Hale, I haven't had a drink with you yet. Thank you for taking care of Jules all this time. She's a bit spoiled, so I'm sure you've had it tough."

Patrick's condescending tone made him seem like the rightful partner, while Lawrence felt like the other man.

The crowd's eyes were all on him. They were watching him like a joke.

Lawrence forced a smile. "It's my job. I get paid to do it. It's not hard."

"I'm sure you've done more than just your job." Patrick raised his voice and laughed boisterously. "But now that I'm back, there are some things you don't have to take care of anymore."

Lawrence looked up at Julia, but she stood there with a blank expression. She didn't even spare him a glance.

It was as if everything happening right now was none of her business.

Lawrence nodded in disappointment. "Alright, I understand."

He turned to leave but accidentally bumped into a waiter holding a glass of wine.

The red wine spilled all over him, ruining the expensive suit he had bought for the event.

Patrick was startled. "Are you okay, Mr. Hale? Your suit is ruined! Let me get the waiter to bring you a new one so you can change."

"I'm fine."

Compared to Patrick, Lawrence looked utterly pathetic at this moment.

When Julia saw his clothes were ruined and he nearly tripped, she reached out to help him. However, Patrick stepped in first and grabbed her hand.

"Jules, since Mr. Hale doesn't need my help, let's go in. The auction is about to start."

Julia nodded. She retracted her hand and cast a quick glance at Lawrence. "You should go back and change your clothes. Be careful not to catch a cold."

With that, they turned and walked away without looking back.

The crowd began to disperse, but Lawrence stood there, unmoving.

At that moment, he was completely and utterly disillusioned with Julia.