Smiling faintly, Julian replied, “I’m honored by the thought, but I don’t usually attend social events.” Ti Julian, Mrs Eliza Sterling came off as somewhat calculating and that made him slightly uneasy, like she was up to something. Mrs. Sterling’s smile didn’t waver, although deep down she was disappointed with his answer. He didn’t even sound enthusiastic to meet her daughter, which was something she hadn’t anticipated. Usually, people were typically eager to meet Charlotte, even if it's just to be friends with her, drawn to her beauty and charm. But Julian’s calm, disinterested tone suggested he wasn’t easily swayed by such expectations. “A shame. I think you’d find Charlotte... refreshing. She’s heard a lot about you, and I must admit, she was very curious when I mentioned today’s meeting.” She smiled, her gaze calculating, “Why don't you think it over? Just know that the right connections can make all the difference, Mr. Blackwood.” “I’m sure she’s as remarkable as you sa
"What are you doing?" Julian asked, his voice laced with mild surprise, but he didn't retract his arm from her.Scarlet's expression remained cool, her eyes steady as she met his gaze. "We need to play the part of the husband and wife," she replied, her tone matter-of-fact, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.A moment later, the two of them walked deeper into the hotel, heading toward the private event space where Scarlett’s family awaited. As they moved through the lavishly decorated hallway, the sound of laughter and music grew louder. Scarlett and Julian didn’t seem to care much for the grandeur around them as they walked towards where everyone was. Scarletts arm remained loosely wrapped around Julian’s, her posture stiff, maintaining the facade of a perfect couple. But as they stood so close, she couldn’t help but notice the faint yet captivating scent of his cologne, a sharp, clean fragrance that felt entirely out of place for a pauper like him.Her gaze dart
Scarlett’s frown deepened as Nolan entered the hotel. His presence was the last thing she needed. She despised him for good reason. Despite her clear lack of interest, Nolan couldn't take a hint. His obsession with marrying her was relentless.He’d even told her family it didn’t matter if she liked him; once married, he was sure he could make her fall in love with him. It was nothing more than a delusion. Scarlett would never fall for someone like him. He was the complete opposite of what she wanted. His pressure, and that of his mother, to force this marriage made him even more unbearable.“Keep up the act, that idiot doesn’t know how to take a hint,” Scarlett said sharply, meeting his gaze briefly.Julian nodded, noticing the simmering resentment in Scarlett's eyes. It wasn’t just irritation; it was something deeper.What puzzled him was why her family would push her into a marriage with someone she so clearly disliked. Was it purely for the prestige? A move to strengthen ties with
The room fell silent. Nolan blinked in disbelief. How was this possible? Since when was Scarlett married to anyone? According to their families, they were supposed to be married, so what was going on?Nolan had known Scarlett didn’t want to marry him, but he hadn’t expected her to marry someone else just to avoid him. He looked at her, expecting her to deny Julian’s claim, but she remained silent, showing no care that Julian’s arm was around her.Just then, the entire Lancaster family happened to have arrived, they entered the suite. Clarissa greeted Nolan cheerfully, unaware of the tension between him and Scarlett. They couldn’t see Julian, who was hidden behind the crowd.As they approached, Clarissa and the rest of the family finally saw Julian, and he had his arm around Scarlett’s waist. “This is not good,” Clarissa muttered, her teeth gritting. “What is that trash doing with my daughter?”Vivienne whispered urgently, “He’s holding Scarlett in front of Nolan. What if he finds out
“Oh please, you think you can offer her something?” Clarissa sneered, her voice was filled with contempt. "What exactly, Julian? A life of poverty and mediocrity? Because that's all you're capable of offering."Julian smirked. They had no idea about him, and he couldn't wait to show them. A faint grin tugging at his lips, he replied, “Just wait, and you will see.”Scarlett’s eyes darted to Julian. Why couldn’t he just stay quiet? She had asked him to act like her husband only, not to pretend as if he had anything to offer her. Still, a small part of her couldn’t help but admire the calm confidence in his tone, he was playing the husband part to perfection, for now.Nolan’s face was red with jealousy and rage as he sized Julian up with poorly masked disdain. “And who are you, exactly? What could you possibly offer her that she doesn’t already have?”Scarlett , sensing the brewing storm, squeezed Julian’s hand lightly, hoping it would signal him to stop replying to Nolan, but he didn’t
Julian and Scarlett both turned around to face the woman.Clarissa stepped forward, her expression a mask of cold fury. “You will not take another step with this man.” Her voice was commanding, each word razor-sharp. “He’s nothing but a parasite, using you to climb the social ladder. Can’t you see that?”Scarlett let out a soft sigh, her gaze steady. “Mother, stop.” Her tone was firm but controlled. “You don’t have to like Julian, but you don’t get to control my life.”Clarissa’s eyes narrowed dangerously, but before she could reply, Alistair joined her.“Can we get some security in here? This man needs to be thrown out,” Alistair roared, his voice echoing across the suite.Nolan stepped forward, pulling out his phone with a smug grin. “No need to trouble security. I’ll call the manager.” He looked Julian over with open contempt, his words dripping with venom. “He’s a good friend of my dad’s. I’m sure he’ll be happy to teach this lowlife his place.”Scarlett’s heart skipped a beat at
Scarlett, however, felt a nervous knot in her stomach as she watched Julian's oblivious defiance. “Julian, get the fuck out of here, you don't know what you're up against,” she commanded through clenched teeth. While she didn’t know Spencer personally, his reputation was legendary. He was ruthless, with deep ties to the Blackwood empire. Julian had no idea just how deep he was stepping into trouble.But Julian, as always, ignored her, his eyes locked on Spencer.Spencer walked over to Nolan, who pointed a finger at Julian with a sneer.“This bastard refuses to leave,” Nolan spat.Vivienne added, “Mr. Spencer, this is the man who’s been causing a scene all night. He has been behaving with no respect for anyone else.”With a nod, showing that he had heard the accusations, Spencer shifted his attention to Julian. His men followed suit, stepping forward with their bats casually over their shoulders. They surrounded Julian, closing in like wolves on their prey.“He's done for now.” Landon
Nolan's face was pale with shock, but his mouth was still running, sounding so arrogant as usuall. He was still conviced Mr Spencer was mistaken,“Mr. Spencer, you’re making a mistake. This guy is just some….”Mr Spencer’s eyes narrowed, cutting him off. "Make this fool understand what happens to those who disrespect Mr. Blackwood."Without a moment’s hesitation, Spencer’s men stepped forward, giving Nolan the beating of his life. Outnumbered and unable to fight back, Nolan crumpled to the floor, his body barely able to protect itself from the relentless blows.The room was filled with the sound of fists connecting with flesh, and the tension in the air became suffocating. Everyone in the suite, including the Lancaster family, watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide in disbelief. Not even the fact that he was a Stormbone, could save Nolan this time. Even the Lancaster's who always pretended like Nolan was their favorite person in the world, didn't want to intervene in fear of them
The shooter had a fearful look for half a second after he heard Julian’s words, but then he chuckled dryly, shaking his head. “Yeah? And what are you gonna do, tough guy? Older you lackeys to beat me until I pass out again?” He tilted his chin up, his smirk resembling that of someone filled with arrogance, despite the fact that he had no control here,“You’re wasting your time. I’m not saying a damn thing. So do what you gotta do.”Julian exhaled audibly, a hint of irritation flashing across his face. He was already getting fed up with this person. He was playing tough, but that wouldn’t last, not with what Julian had planned out for him. One way or another, Julian had to make him speak, and so he needed to shift tactics. Julian’s expression darkened as he shot a look at Nyx. No words were needed from Julian, Nyx already understood the assignment.Without hesitation, she stepped forward and grabbed the man’s hand, twisting it at an unnatural angle. A loud crack echoed through the holdi
Julian laid down on his bed, thinking about his and Scarlett’s relationship, eventually sleep overtook him before he even knew it.The following day in the morning, Julian arrived at a warehouse where he was keeping the person who had shot the mayor. He walked through the warehouse entrance with Nyx and a bunch of armed security personnel following behind him.He made his way into the holding area with Nyx, while the armed men remained outside, securing the perimeter for any danger. If the shooter’s associates, or anyone else, tried to interfere, they’d be ready. Inside there were about five guys dressed in tactical gear, watching over the shooter to make sure he didn't escape.Julian gave a small signal with his fingers, and one of the guards yanked the blindfold off the captives head. The man blinked rapidly, his eyes adjusting to the dim light, before they shifted slowly to stare at Julian and Nyx who stood before him. His eyes lingered longer on Nyx, remembering that she was the
After leaving the hotel, Julian returned home. In the evening around 10 pm as he lay on his bed, scrolling through his phone, trying to find some public Information about his enemies . His eyebrows arched when it suddenly vibrated. Seeing that Scarlett was calling, he paused for a moment.He had forgotten that Scarlett was in the hotel ballroom during the shooting. He wondered if she had made it out safely amidst all the chaos and panic.He answered the call and pressed the phone to his ear.“Hey, Julian,” Scarlett’s voice came through, soft but concerned.“Are you okay?” she asked. “How are you feeling?”Julian couldn’t help but grin, leaning back on his bed. She asked how he was doing. Was she worried about him now? He didn’t expect that. Honestly, Scarlett had always been aloof and cold toward him at first. It was hard to believe that now she could tolerate him like this. It was almost as if… she cared about him all of a sudden.“Aw, look at that,” he couldn’t stop himself from te
“Where is he?” the mayor demanded as Julian approached him and Helen. He rose from the stretcher, his face was a mask of anger and determination. “Where is the son of a bitch who dared to shoot me? Bring him to me.”Julian was taken aback by the mayors sudden behavior. All of a sudden he was acting like this? Julian expression remained calm, almost indifferent. “He’s in my custody,” he replied, his voice showing how much he couldn’t care less about the mayor's outburst, “I’ll interrogate him and let you know what I find out.”But Mayor Sullivan frowned after hearing Julian’s words. He glared deep into Julian’s eyes as if trying to scare him into giving up custody of the shooter. The mayor didn’t agree with Julian because he wanted to do the interrogation himself. Actually, he didn’t need to interrogate the shooter because he already knew who had sent him and why. But that wasn’t the point. He wanted to use the shooter to send a message to the organization, letting them know that the
The room froze, it was like everything happened in slow motion. Some couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed; had the mayor been shot right in front of them? Others, too terrified to think beyond their own survival, scrambled for safety.Panic erupted in the ballroom. Screams filled the air as chaos took hold. Guests scrambled for cover, tables overturned, and a stampede surged toward the exits. Julian’s heart beat rapidly, worrying for the mayor's life, but his focus never got affected by this. His eyes were still locked on the shooter, who was already making his escape.But Julian wasn’t going to let him get away, he walked through the terrified crowd chasing after the shooter. It wasn’t easy because bodies pressed against him, some ducking behind overturned tables, others panicking as they rushed for the exits. But he still pushed forward relentlessly. By the time Julian burst out of the ballroom and into the narrow corridor beyond, the assassin had gained significant groun
The man was unconscious, stripped down to his boxers and vest. Julian’s eyes narrowed in surprise. But, it didn’t take long for Julian to put together what was happening; the man who had left the room wasn’t a real waiter. He had overpowered the actual staff member and taken his uniform as a disguise.Julian crouched beside the unconscious man, checking his pulse. It was faint but still beating . Letting out a sigh of relief, he quickly activated his earpiece. “Celeste, the situation is worse than I thought. The suspect has incapacitated a real staff member and is disguised as a waiter. He just left the room heading toward the gala.”Celeste’s voice came through, calm but urgent as usual. “Understood. I’ll alert the team to keep an eye out for anyone acting suspicious. We’ll tighten security immediately.”Julian returned downstairs where the gala was taking place. His eyes scanned the crowd, searching for the suspect. The waiter’s disguise should have made him easier to spot, but ther
Julian? Her mind raced. What was he doing here… with Helen? Did the two of them know each other already? She watched how close Helen was standing to him, as if they were very familiar with one another, and it didn’t sit well with her. Perhaps it was jealousy she was feeling. After all, who would be happy to see their friend acting so close to their husband?Deep down, Scarlett knew it herself: the reason she was this uncomfortable seeing Julian so close to Helen was because she had started to develop a soft spot for Julian…. And maybe even feelings for him. She wouldn’t admit it to his face, though.Her expression shifted briefly, but she quickly masked her surprise,or the jealousy. “Hi,” she said, her tone smooth, her lips curving into a controlled smile. “What are you doing here?” she asked, directing her question at Julian.Julian smiled slightly. “I’m here on business.” he said casually.Helen didn’t pay that much attention to their exchange as she was eager to introduce them. Sh
The mayor sighed, his voice heavy with regret as he continued,“At first, they seemed harmless. Backroom deals, a little influence here and there, some people to help me push policies. But as time went on, the favors got… darker. They wanted things that went against everything I believe in: dirty money, shady deals.” He paused, taking a shaky breath. “I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t be controlled like that.”Julian’s eyes narrowed, understanding dawning on him. “And they couldn’t have that. They needed someone they could control.” It was easy for juliam to understand what the mayor was saying and what the organization was hoping for in return for helping the mayor. After all these were tactics Julian was all too familiar with. Growing in a powerful family he had witnessed firsthand how the same practices the organization was using were used by his grandfather and father to control people in key positions.In fact, Julian vividly remembered one of the lessons his father had imparted about
The mayor’s eyes widened in alarm. “What… what are you talking about?” His eyes darkened slightly as he gritted his teeth. “The Sterlings again…they’ve been relentless. But they won’t win. Not this time.” His tone hardened, as though trying to convince himself as much as anyone else. The Sterling family had long been fierce rivals of the Sullivans in both business and politics. When Wendell Sterling had lost the mayoral election, he had apparently stooped to drastic measures, resorting to attempts on his opponent’s life. Julian couldn’t help but wonder if the same Sterlings the mayor was talking about had any connections to this organization. And if they were connected—and it also turned out that the old woman, Elizabeth Sterling, whom he had met at Harper & Co. Headquarters had ties to them, then Julian would need to be wary of her intentions. Helen sighed, exasperation evident in her words. “Don’t worry, Master Julian. We’ve set up enough security to handle the Sterlings. There’s