But Julian was faster. His hand shot up, catching the bat in the air. The bat was swang with so much power, so although he could it, it still sent a sharp jolt through his injured hand, pain radiating up his arm, but Julian held on. Acting purely on instinct and self defense, his other hand lashed out in a blur, delivering a hard punch to Landon’s jaw. The impact sent Landon stumbling backward, the bat slipping from his grip and clattering to the floor.Julian flexed his injured hand, wincing slightly as he adjusted his stance. ‘Shit, did I just punch him?’ he thought to himself. In truth he felt that he had acted impulsively and didn't actually want to raise his hand on anyone here, he was simply standing up to them. Still, what was done was done and he wasn't about to start apologizing, especially when Landon deserved it, and it would make him seem weaker.Landon groaned on the ground, raising his hand to his face as blood trickled from his split lip.Clarissa let out a horrified s
Julian nodded, a faint hint of frustration showing on his face. Still, he smiled faintly. "Alright, thank you." He turned to leave, prepared to find another hotel, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that the receptionist’s dismissive tone was meant to belittle him. He also noticed the way she rolled her eyes. But he didn't think much of it, it was nothing new. Julian continued on his way out, thinking of hailing a taxi to take him to another hotel or motel. Just then, a couple walked past him, heading toward the desk, their conversation light. When they reached the receptionist, her entire demeanour shifted. Unlike when she was speaking with Julian, she straightened, her smile suddenly genuine. "Good evening, sir, madam," she greeted them cheerfully. "How can I assist you?" Julian, busy trying to book an Uber on his phone, overheard the couple asking for a room. Within moments, the receptionist’s fingers flew over the keyboard as though she were greeting a valued guest. "Of cours
“How stupid are you? Do you think the manager is going to give you a free room?” The receptionist asked. She was furious.She had never seen anyone as shameless as him before. How dare this loser stand there in his homeless clothes and demand to see the manager?The bystanders were equally taken aback. They couldn’t believe what they were witnessing. A clearly destitute man, causing a commotion and insisting on seeing the manager. They exchanged looks of disbelief, their murmurs filling the air as they shot him judgmental glances.Julian’s face showed no emotion as he ignored the murmurs from the onlookers, stepping closer to the desk, his presence now commanding despite her mocking tone. "Call the manager, now!” he demanded again, his voice carrying authority this time.Maybe if she did what he asked, perhaps there was a small chance he was going to let her off with a warning later. Actually, no! it didn't matter now, after her disrespectful behavior towards him, she was already fire
Hudson’s eyes narrowed in disbelief, irritation crawling across his face. “My boss?” he sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “You really think you're important enough to talk to the president of this hotel? Who the hell do you think you are?”Julian exhaled slowly, unfazed, and muttered under his breath, “Fine, I’ll call her myself.” He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.Hudson and the others exchanged skeptical glances. Who was he calling? The hotel president? To them, it was obvious, he was clearly faking it. There was no way a man like him had the hotel president's number, let alone the authority to call her directly.Julian's voice was calm, almost bored as he spoke into the phone. “Vera, I’m inside the Emarald Hotel. Could you please tell the Hotel President that I need her to come down to the lobby immediately?”He paused, listening to Vera’s response, then nodded as though she were saying exactly what he expected.The three of them exchanged another look, smirking a
"Please forgive us, Mr Blackwood," the receptionist stammered, her voice trembling. "We were wrong. We beg you to forgive our ignorance."But Julian remained unsympathetic to their desperate pleas. He glanced at them dismissively, his face still unforgiving. "Security, escort them out. They're fired," he commanded with no emotion, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. He paused, his gaze lingering on the receptionist and Hudson, however he didn't felt nothing for them. They had pissed him off so much that no matter how much they begged, he had no sympathy for them.Without another word, the security guards stepped forward, gripping the receptionist, the former manager Hudson, and Larry by the arms. They were embarrassingly dragged out of the hotel, their protests fading into the silence that followed. The room buzzed with hushed whispers from the onlookers, who had just witnessed everything. Those who had initially dismissed Julian as nothing more than a beggar were the most st
When he awoke, it was already morning. Sunlight shined through the curtains, causing a warm glow across the room. Julian blinked, disoriented for a moment, before reaching over to check his phone. The screen lit up with notifications, and his eyes immediately went to the missed calls.There were two. One from Vera, the other from Scarlett. He frowned, unsure of what Scarlet could want. Whatever, he wasn't in the mood for her.He rubbed his face with one hand, still groggy, before deciding to return Vera's call. He didn’t have to wait long before her voice filled the line, sharp and professional.“Good morning, Julian,” she began, her voice businesslike. “I trust you had a restful night. However, we still have a few matters that require your attention.”Julian leaned back against the headboard, trying to shake off the sleepiness. “What’s going on?”Vera’s voice was direct and business-like. “There’s a meeting scheduled with Harper & Co. Enterprises, one of our key business associates.
It was not a surprise to Julian that his life might be in danger now that he had stepped into the scene as the heir of his family's old legacy. His life had always been on the line, even before he inherited everything.It was only because he had stayed hidden for so long that he hadn’t been found by the people hunting his bloodline.“It’s a precaution,” Celeste replied quickly, her voice reassuring him, “Vera believes it’s better to be prepared. These men are highly trained and will ensure no harm comes to you.”Julian glanced at the guards again, their watchful eyes scanning the lobby with precision. He sighed, feeling like his life was getting dangerous by the moment, but strangely he didn't mind it. He was coming to terms with it, plus he would rather live this life than his old one where he was looked at as a nobody.“Fine,” he said, his tone resigned. “Let’s just get moving.” He made his way towards the exit, Celeste following behind.Julian stepped outside the hotel and was poin
Gary’s insults made Julian want to punch him. His fists clenched at his sides, but he kept a cool and composed expression, because he didn't want to cause a scene.Stil, he couldn't stop the old animosity from bubbling under his calm exterior. He had never forgotten how Gary and his cronies had treated him, how they had used their position to make his life unbearable when he was nothing more than a janitor. Now, standing in front of him with that same smug face, Julian had no intention of letting Gary get under his skin again. In Fact it was time for revenge.“Funny,” Julian finally responded, his voice sharp but calm. “I wasn’t planning on working as a janitor here, but I’m honestly impressed you managed to land a job at all. I didn’t think places like this hired people whose IQ barely outpaces room temperature.” He smirked, raising an eyebrow as he let the words hang in the air. “Guess miracles really do happen.”Gary’s face reddened, his expression shifting from smug superiority
The room fell into stunned silence. Even Betty, who had seemed so sure of herself moments ago, suddenly looked uneasy after hearing Julian's words.Why was he taking her side? Did she already manage to make him fall in love for her? Betty was jealous.“That witch,” Betty muttered under her breath, her hatred for Athena deepening. “I won’t let her get away with this.”Athena shot Julian a quick glance, surprised that he would speak out for her. Was he defending her or what? She couldn’t tell, but either way, she was grateful.Julian stepped closer to Athena, his towering presence impossible to ignore. “For the record,” he said, his voice calm, “Athena didn’t promise me anything. I’m here because she told me, this family shares the same interests as me.” Athena seized the moment. “You heard him,” she said, her confidence growing. “So maybe instead of throwing around baseless accusations, you should focus on why we’re really here.”Betty’s lips tightened, but she didn’t respond, only be
Betty's sharp and mocking laugh didn't go unnoticed by the others. Julian couldn't help frowning slightly when he noticed this. It seemed like Athena and her mother were seen as outsiders by their only family, he felt sorry for her.“Oh, please, just shut up.” Betty sneered. “Don’t act like you actually convinced him with your so-called ‘skills.’ Everyone knows you couldn't negotiate, even if your own life was on the line. So tell us, Athena, what exactly did you promise Julian Blackwood to get him to come here?”“Or better yet,” Betty added, her lips curling into a smirk, “what did you offer him?” Julian's eyes grew colder. Was the woman accusing Athena of sleeping with him to make him agree to this meeting?Athena frowned. She knew exactly that Betty was implying that she had offered herself to Julian in exchange for him agreeing to come here. Not only her, but everyone else in the room seemed to think that now. A few murmurs erupted through the room, fueling the accusation. Some
Sometime later, after freshening up and changing into a fresh set of clothes, Julian followed Athena in silence, his mind thinking about the consequences of agreeing to this unexpected meeting. Was he making a mistake in trusting her? He wasn’t sure if he trusted her or he should trust her at all, but the idea of an ally, someone who shared his enemy, was too tempting to pass up.After getting outside the hotel, a luxurious limousine accompanied by a few cars was parked outside waiting for Athena. Her driver, a burly man dressed in a suit , opened the door for her and she entered the vehicle along with her two bodyguards.Julian didn't hesitate, and followed her, having already made up his mind. The vehicle started moving. The drive was short. On the road, Athena had attempted to start some conversations, throwing out bits of small talk, but Julian wasn’t having any of it. He answered her first few questions with short, clipped responses before falling completely silent.Athena se
Before he could speak, she stepped past him without hesitation, her heels clicking against the marble floor as if she owned the place.The two women she had with her followed suit, flanking her and with practiced steps.Julian blinked, caught off guard. His frown deepened as he watched them walk past him without a second glance. Who the hell did she think she was? Walking into his hotel just like that? Agitation creeped up his spine.He hadn’t even had the chance to ask her to stop or invite her in. What was her game?The audacity of it all rubbed him the wrong way. She was treating his space like it was hers, and that didn’t sit well with him."Excuse me?" Julian snapped, his voice cold as he turned to face her. "What the hell do you think you’re doing?"She didn’t stop. Instead, she walked further into the room, pausing only to glance around briefly before turning to meet his eyes.“Nice place,” she said casually, as though they’d known each other for years. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Why do you suspect that?” Julian asked.Jasper replied, "We suspect that, because how did they manage to get a hold of your old family home?" Jasper added, his voice filled with suspicion.“I thought the mansion was auctioned off by someone in the Blackwood consortium?” Julian asked.He’d always assumed that’s what had happened, but now that he said it out loud, it didn't sound so convincing, even to himself. Why would the Blackwood consortium ever sell his family home? What purpose could there be? It was not like they lacked funds.“No, it wasn’t auctioned off. They made your grandfather give up the home that night.” Jasper’s words dropped like a bomb making Julian even more shocked. “And it was later given to Gabriel by the people who murdered your family as a gift....I think, according to the information I have acquired.” Julian’s mind spinned. His family’s mansion… given as a gift? To some Gabriel, Isadora's husband?“Do you know who those people are?” Julian asked, his voice ti
“I think it’s time you started explaining,” Julian said, his voice commanding and authoritative as he stepped closer. “What the hell is going on, Vera? And don’t tell me it’s complicated. I need answers.” he demanded.Vera gave a small nod, and said softly,“That’s exactly why I brought you here. There are things I know about your parents’ murder, things you need to hear.”Julian blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her sudden willingness to talk. “Okay, I'm all ears.” he said, waiting for her to start spilling everything she knew out.Just then, the old man beside Vera finally spoke, his tone serious. “But first, let’s make one thing clear, Master Julian.”Julian turned to him, his sharp gaze sizing up the stranger. Who was this man, really? He looked very familiar, especially now that Julian stood closer, but he still couldn’t quite place the face. He looked familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time.There was something in the man’s looks that reminded him of Vera. For example t
Turning back to Marcus as he was being dragged outside, his voice icy and final, Adrian spoke. “Everything is called off. You can forget about marrying my granddaughter. You are no longer welcome in this house.”He was doing everything in his power to make sure Julian's anger eased on him and he wouldn't face any consequences for his earlier disrespect. After Marcus was kicked out of the house, Adrian turned to Julian, beads of sweat still on his forehead as he continued to ask for Julin to show some mercy..Isadora, Claudia, and Elysia watched nervously, unsure of how Julian would respond. The future of their family lay in his hands, and that terrified them when they thought about it.But in truth, Julian had already decided he wouldn’t do anything to harm the Vespera family.The other members of the family had been good to him ever since he arrived, so what kind of man would he be if he destroyed them over Adrian’s mistake? No, Julian wasn’t that kind of person.Besides, Julian nee
Marcus continued, dismissive and too arrogant. “I think we shouldn’t waste another second entertaining this. Let my men handle him,” “Marcus, you idiot, keep your mouth shut for once if you know what's best for you and your family.” Isadora finally had it with Marcus and his reckless arrogance so she spoke up. Marcus was stunned after hearing the way she just spoke to him. Never in his wildest thoughts had he imagined that Isadora Vespera, his future mother-in-law, who had always treated him so kindly like a king, would snap at him like that. She didn't just snap at him, but she had also just called him an ‘idiot,’ all because of Julian, a man who was clearly not on his level. Marcus's face turned red with anger. “You’re seriously taking his side? Over me?” he demanded, glaring at Isadora in disbelief. “I might be your future son-in-law, but I will not tolerate such disrespect from you. I demand you apologize immediately, or I'll call off my engagement with Claudia.” Isadora di
“Grandfather, you’re back so early,” Elysia said quickly, her voice carrying a hint of surprise as her gaze shifted to the figure who had just entered the room, along with two men, his security guard and a butler, flanking him.The man who had just arrived was none other than Adrian Vespera, the patriarch of the Vespera family, and Claudia and Elysia’s grandfather.Adrian's eyes were cold, as they swept over the scene, immediately landing on Marcus, whose fists were still clenched, and Julian, who stood unfazed but clearly prepared for whatever came next.Adrian’s expression darkened when he saw this: The soon-to-be son-in-law of the Vespera family was moments away from getting into a physical altercation, with some stranger, no less.Marcus was soon to be family, and as the patriarch, it was Adrian’s responsibility to protect the family’s honor.He could not and would not spare anyone who dared to disrespect his family, especially in his own home.“What’s going on here?” Adrian’s voic