"Ah?" Julia gazed at Jared's hand, a perplexed expression playing across her features. What could that possibly signify?Shiloh appeared equally befuddled.Then, unexpectedly, the word "candy" escaped the man's lips.Upon hearing this word, Julia and Shiloh found themselves taken aback, struggling to believe what they'd just heard.Jared, craving candy?The notion was utterly startling—no, even a bit disconcerting, wasn't it?"Brother, I mean... don't you have an aversion to sweets?" Shiloh's astonishment left her stumbling over her words.Jared, his expression impassive, turned his gaze toward Shiloh. "You're not a fan of sweet treats either. Didn't you just finish eating?"Shiloh's voice faltered as she replied, "Yes, but that's different! The medicine I had was so bitter.""I can relate. There's a hint of bitterness lingering in my mouth," Jared casually replied, his demeanor devoid of emotional fluctuation.The atmosphere settled into an uneasy silence, tinged with an eerie qualit
Julia and Yannie locked eyes, the air around them thick with tension, poised to ignite at the slightest spark.Following a momentary hush, Yannie withdrew a card from her handbag and extended it to Julia. "Aren't you here solely for material gain? There's one million on this card. Take it and leave."Julia's gaze skimmed over the card before remarking, "Since you've concluded that my motives are driven by wealth, I won't bother to defend myself. After all, you wouldn't believe me anyway."With that, Julia produced her phone and tapped on the transfer record that Jared had sent her."Look, your son is far more generous than you—ten times as generous, to be precise. Given that I'm here for financial gain, I'll just cling tightly to your son's wealth."The ten million dollars referred to were the sum Jared had previously transferred to her, meant for purchasing medicine for Shiloh.Julia's words irked Yannie. The audacity with which she twisted the situation to her advantage was infuriat
Yannie and Cameron exchanged unbelieving glances as they watched the scene unfold before them. The state of Shiloh’s legs was a well-known challenge, like the withered roots of an ancient tree. They had consulted many famous doctors and tried various medicines, but there had yet to be any improvement.Yannie couldn’t contain her excitement, tears of joy streaming down her face. Remembering what Julia had just mentioned, she asked with hope in her eyes, “Can you really help Shiloh stand within two weeks?”Julia shook her head and said, “Just consider what I said earlier as unlikely.”Yannie was momentarily puzzled, struggling to understand Julia’s meaning.Seeing Yannie’s confusion, Julia let out a sigh and clarified, “I think you might have misunderstood me. I’m not that presumptuous. Though you pursued me eagerly, I also have my own dignity. So, I’ve decided to pack up and leave, not to come back to your family.”Yannie’s anxiety spiked upon hearing this. “I jumped to conclusions and
“Dig in,” Anthony greeted warmly, his tone inviting.However, Jared’s thoughts remained preoccupied with Julia and Lincoln’s recent encounter, leaving him with little appetite. He retrieved his phone and composed a message to send to Julia.[Where are you?]Julia: [Hmm?] Julia halted in her steps, perplexed by the sudden message, asking herself, ‘Why was he asking this now?’Seeing that Julia was preoccupied with her thoughts. Lincoln couldn’t help but ask, “Boss, what’s going on?” Lincoln chimed in, also pausing.“Just give me a moment. I’m waiting for a response,” Julia replied after tweaking the message.Julia thought for a while before replying. [I’m outside.][Alone?] Jared inquired further.Suspicion cast a fleeting shadow in Julia’s eyes as she scanned her surroundings. A particular nuance in Jared’s inquiry triggered a sense that he might be in close proximity. Yet, after a thorough sweep of her surroundings, she concluded that her speculation could be nothing more than a pr
In a split second, Julia’s pupils expanded to their limits, her thoughts freezing in place as she grappled with the bewildering twist of events. But before she could make sense of it all, the man’s fervor intensified, and he forcefully pressed his lips against hers, setting off a whirlwind of wild emotions.“What’s happening?” Lincoln’s eyes widened to the point of nearly popping out of their sockets. The sight before him was beyond his expectations – his typically poised and self-assured boss was now the recipient of an aggressive and unexpected kiss.“Jared, let go of my boss this instant!” Lincoln’s fist clenched, striking out at Jared with force.Reacting swiftly, Julia extended her arm, encircling the man’s slender waist as she executed an abrupt pivot, effectively shielding Jared from the approaching blow aimed by Lincoln.Caught in a suspended motion, Lincoln’s fist hung in the air, and his eyes transfixed on the intertwined figures that seemed to combine into a protective embr
With rapid reflexes, Julia swiftly pressed her hand against Jared’s mouth and used her other hand to push against the man’s chest.“Julia, get up this instant! Are you still willing to provoke my brother right in front of me?!” Shiloh’s voice soared, his frustration palpable. He’d undoubtedly be springing to his feet if not for his impaired legs.Speechless, Julia pondered whether these two brothers were utterly ruthless with her. One forcefully kissed her, while the other seemingly ignored the recent occurrence.“Do you have eyes in the back of your head? Didn’t you see that your brother was the one who started it?” Julia retorted with a frustrated twitch of her mouth.Shiloh paid little heed to her protest. “Is it doing that’s left my brother like this?”An annoyed expression tugged at Julia’s lips. “Could you please stop standing there and making insulting remarks? If you’re not going to lend a hand, I might as well give up resisting.”“You dare, you—”“Move it! Get over here!” Jul
Jared’s response was immediate, his entire being stirred by an electrifying surge. His gaze locked onto Julia with an intensity that seemed to set ablaze every cell and vein in his body.They say that a woman’s words can be deceiving, but when she insists she’s not interested, the truth may lie in her underlying affection. The realization seemed to flicker across Jared’s mind, a knowing curve tugging at the corner of his mouth. In a swift motion, he unbuttoned his shirt and undid his belt, then reclined onto the bed. The pounding of his heart seemed to echo audibly, his pulse racing like an untamed stallion.At this moment, the illustrious head of the Brook family, typically the model of composure, felt an unusual surge of nerves. Even during his early experiences representing the company at international conferences at the age of eighteen, he had never felt this level of anticipation or anxiety. His demeanor was recognized for its coolness, but now it was fraying around the edges.A
Julia, feeling confident in her medical skills, administered injections to a man named Jared without any adverse reactions. However, as she attempted to free herself from his grasp, a deep, low-pitched voice abruptly sounded in her ear, commanding her not to move.Obeying the order, Julia stopped struggling and blinked, unsure of what was happening.Seconds ticked by—one, ten, thirty—and a full minute passed, yet the man remained motionless, holding her tightly.Julia's mind raced as she analyzed the situation. She deduced that the medication she had administered had subdued the effects within Jared's body, leading him to perceive her as a comfortable pillow.The tight confinement of the man's arms made Julia extremely uncomfortable. She struggled and exerted effort to break free, her face turning red from exertion, but her attempts proved futile."Why is he so strong?" Julia wondered as she poked at his sturdy arm, feeling its unyielding hardness.Exhaustion soon overwhelmed her, and
Lost in her thoughts, Julia absently muttered to herself while her fingers unconsciously typed a sequence of characters on the keyboard."Still incorrect," Julia grumbled, displaying a slight pout. Lost in her task, she had been hoping that Jared might use her birthday as the password for the safe."What else could it be?" Julia mused, her determination unwavering as she remained convinced that the Little Jade Buddha was hidden within the safe. She understood that the process would involve eliminating possibilities one by one, and she was prepared for the challenge.However, just as Julia was about to make another attempt, her focused concentration was abruptly shattered by a voice echoing from the living room. Instantly, her movements froze, and she listened intently, her expression morphing into one of heightened vigilance."Dah, dah, dah—" The sound of heavy leather shoes ascending the stairs grew nearer and nearer. Could it be Jared returning? The measured gait ruled out the possi
'I'm leaving!' Is it vital to state it so definitively?Julia came to realize that the current situation wouldn't be resolved with ease. With this understanding, she turned her head to gaze at Jared. His visage bore a disdainful expression, lips forming a stern, unyielding line of ice.Though Jared remained silent, Julia could intuit his emotions at that moment.Taking a deep breath, Julia directed her attention back to Yannie. "Are you pushing your own son to the brink? Since his early twenties, he's borne immense burdens alone. He protected you, even contending for the Patriarch position in the Brooks family against his uncles. Have you ever heard him utter a complaint? Does his silence imply ease?"Jared's icy facade softened, his gaze momentarily unfocused as he looked at Julia, an unexplainable shift in his eyes.Frowning, Yannie regarded her son. She was intimately familiar with his resolute and decisive nature. Jared never voiced his suffering to others. He struggled with sever
With what Yannie said, Julia thought, 'Ah, this is the one.'A frown creased Julia's brow. If Yannie was in such a hurry to push for her divorce from Jared, and if her deduction was accurate, there was a high chance that Cameron had meddled in the affair. Julia needed to devise a foolproof plan with her unmet objectives, and the divorce still needed to be in motion.However, before Julia could formulate a solid strategy, Jared's voice echoed in her ears."You can take the money back. I won't divorce her," Jared's firm words resounded, causing Julia to turn her gaze toward him swiftly.Following Shiloh's lead, he added, "Burning bridges behind us, Mom, is this really necessary? Julia did her best to mend my leg. You can't just dismiss her on a whim. She hasn't done anything wrong."Jared further asserted, "Even if she had, it's a matter between us as husband and wife. I should bear any consequences.""Absolutely, what my brother says is right!" Shiloh chimed in, supporting Jared's stan
Julia fixed her gaze upon Jared, her eyes widening as he effortlessly removed his attire. With each layer he discarded, his strong upper body was gradually revealed to her. Although he held the position of a businessman, Jared's bodily strength could easily match that of the most accomplished agents in their alliance. With extensive exposure to high-society circles, his physical form emitted an air of aristocracy that effortlessly garnered the respect and admiration of those in his vicinity. His presence could compel anyone to instinctively show deference, a harmonious combination of polished physique and dignified comportment that irresistibly attracted women, much like moths drawn to a flame.Although Julia's emotional connection to Jared was lacking, she couldn't help but appreciate the "magnificent mountains and rivers" before her. His awareness of her unwavering gaze pleased him, a satisfied smirk playing across his lips."Do you find it appealing?" Jared's question caused Jul
When Julia heard that word escape his mouth, she could feel how the pressure in the room became heavier and how coldness brewed in the air.Seeing his face etched with disregard and coldness, she could not help but recall what happened earlier. When she chased after Alexander rather than staying with Jared, she realized that he must be that angry to act this way now."You must be mad," she uttered between their silence.However, the man didn't speak and just looked away from her, refusing their eyes to meet.Once again, the living room became quiet. From where Shiloh was standing, he could see what was happening. Jared seemed like a king disregarding his servant, who was willingly waiting for a reaction from him.The more the silence provoked, the more Julia thought that it would be better if she let his anger subside first. "Then I'll go first."After that chilly encounter, she turned around and walked towards the door. Julia's head was hurting, thinking of how to coax the man tomor
The drink ran down Julia's throat as she raised her head and faced Alexander with a serious expression. They were still sitting beside each other after the long explanation."Make do? I can't give you that, Alexander. Aside from marriage being such a major event so does settling with someone just for convenience. If I did that with you, I would be irresponsible to you."Upon hearing those words from her, Alexander glanced at Julia with seriousness and bitterness on his face combined."Then boss, why don't you like me?"She sighed and frowned before raising her hand to caress his chin. After seconds, she turned to look directly into his eyes again."Do you want to hear the truth or lies?"Alexander opened his mouth, hesitated briefly, and decided to face reality."Tell me the truth." He had waited for that moment for a long time, and he knew he was mentally prepared already. Staring at Julia's mouth, he waited for her to open it and anticipated her following words."Okay, the truth is
Upon seeing the scene before him, Henry took a sharp breath.Without seeing Jared's face now, he could already foresee the man's terrifying expression because of the cold air radiating from his direction.Looking down at Alexander, Julia's eyes shifted to where Jared was standing. He was at the door, and the moment she set his eyes on the man, she felt her heartbeat becoming faster.Their circumstances made her feel a déjà vu as if she was caught in bed with someone. However, she quickly shook those thoughts off her head. The scenario in her head was not like her at all.Right then and there, Jared's face darkened to an extent, and the atmosphere around him was covered with immense anger."Julia!" He uttered her name as he gritted his teeth.Her eyes widened. Julia did not waste time and quickly explained, "It's not what you think it is! He and I are just friends.""Boss? Who is he? Do you know him?" Alexander stood up and glanced at Jared with gloomy eyes.The main reason for Alexand
Joseph's jaw dropped while his eyes dilated."Boss, this is—"Jared interjected, "You can go and buy it."When he heard it again, no words could get out of Joseph's mouth.Without saying anything, Joseph marched out of the office with his bitter expression painted on his face. He thought, 'How can I apologize to my girlfriend?'As Joseph started to have a headache about how to solve it, he suddenly heard Jared's voice behind his back."After you buy it, you need to arrange it, and you can get off work," Jared clarified.Upon hearing that, Joseph's eyes brightened, and his heart was filled with joy."Thank you so much, boss!" Joseph thanked him while smiling ear to ear. "I hope you can achieve your wishes today too."Jared waved his hand while Joseph went out the door and left sensibly.At the same time, his cell phone vibrated, and he got a reply from Julia.'Male.'At first, Julia thought to reply she was visiting a woman, but she recalled Jared had asked her the same before, but was
"Julia would bring that role to life if she were the one to play it.""You mean Julia as the leading role?!" Yasmin interrogated. Her eyes broadened with a hint of enviousness that could flare into flames."Well, thank you for your compassion," Julia refused to accept it. "It's just that I am not quite interested in this."Some common actors would have made a lot of effort to stand out. It would bring capital to the group itself. However, Julia was a skilled layman who didn't have the capital to back her up to rise to the top. Her forebears' good deeds were why she was asked to play the female lead. Unfortunately, she had to take it down that easy.The director, who was in the industry for twenty years, was stupefied by her knock-back. He had caught a glimpse of many actors quarreling to take the leading role, yet as it was offered to Julia, she rejected it."So you don't want to be famous?" Julia shook her head. "I don't want to. I don't want to lose freedom. It's disturbing."She