"It's okay, it's okay now," Jared gently patted Julia's back with his big palm, his voice as soft and soothing as possible.Julia, who was held in his arms, felt bewildered about the man's behavior, unable to comprehend the situation.However, that wasn't the main concern at the moment.The real issue was that they were still in a public market! This man seemed oblivious to the surroundings, hugging her so intimately. Didn't he notice all the people staring at them?The curious and gossipy looks from onlookers made Julia cringe. Some were even taking out their phones to capture photos and videos.These uncles and aunties at the vegetable market may not be young, but their interest in gossip is as strong as that of young people!Julia even imagined these nosy onlookers posting videos on social media with titles like "Young couple openly intimate in the vegetable market."With this in mind, Julia quickly withdrew from Jared's arms, took his hand, and hurriedly left the market.Back in t
Jared was slightly taken aback, his expression becoming somewhat elusive as he glanced up at the kitchen door.Observing her brother's reaction, Shiloh's face revealed a look of extreme shock. Could it be that his brother liked Julia?"Brother, she's not as simple as she seems," Shiloh warned.Jared nodded and responded, "I know. If she were too simple, I wouldn't be interested."Shiloh was left dumbfounded by his brother's nonchalant reply."But she might have other intentions towards you," Shiloh persisted.Jared replied casually, "Then let her have them. Can't I afford to support her?"Shiloh's eyes widened in disbelief. "And what if she tries to harm your life?""Who would want to harm your brother's life?" Julia emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray of vegetables.Shiloh glared at her rudely and said, "You."Jared's face creased with displeasure at his brother's rudeness."Me?" Julia smiled, setting the dishes she had cooked on the table. "You seem to have a low opinion of me
The flavor, mingled with the essence of the sauce's aroma, saturates the duck offal, leaving behind a lingering fragrance on the palate and an endless aftertaste. The taste is so exceptional that it evokes a profound emotional response!Initially, he grappled with a minor hesitation deep within his heart. Perhaps he contemplated critiquing the dishes as unappetizing, irrespective of their true taste. Such a declaration could drive Julia to part ways with his brother.However, the idea of doing so felt tremendously ungrateful.Realization dawned upon him! He was resolute now because the dishes crafted by Julia were genuinely mouthwatering!"How does it taste?" Julia's unwavering confidence in her culinary skills resonated with her question.Shiloh lowered his head slightly; his cheeks tinged with a blush he tried to suppress. After a tentative bite, he looked up at Julia, his determination evident as he gritted his teeth. "Julia."Julia experienced a moment of surprise. Her comment to
As Cameron stole a glance, her eyes seemed poised to leap from their sockets.What had she witnessed? Jared and Julia shared a gaze – that was understandable. But the proximity between them was nearly intimate enough for a kiss.And they were still looking - still gazing! It felt unending!Cameron's frustration surged, her visible resentment screaming "jealousy."After a moment of tense pause, Cameron mustered a strained smile and approached Julia."I've heard that Julia is quite the pianist. Would I be privileged enough to hear you play a piece?"Jared's gaze turned cold, directing an icy beam at Cameron.As his chilly look bore into her, a pang of jealousy shot down Cameron's spine, gripping her in its hold.If her glare could incinerate, she would've reduced Julia to ashes!Shiloh, observing the unfolding situation, recognized that Cameron was purposely trying to provoke Julia.While he acknowledged Julia's attractiveness, he also understood that Cameron possessed a superior talent
"If I told you I'm self-taught, would you believe it?" Julia posed the question, a slight curve gracing her lips as she looked at Jared.In truth, she wasn't fabricating. Her piano skills were just one example – many of her talents were honed through self-guided learning. With an IQ exceeding 300, swift learning was almost second nature to her."It's fine if you don't want to disclose it," Jared replied calmly. Even before her piano performance, he had glimpsed her medical prowess on more than one occasion, leading him to suspect a connection to the fabled Divine Doctor. Nonetheless, he recognized her reluctance to share these facets of her life, and he knew that pressing further would be futile.Julia's lips curled into a playful smile. "Well, I'm being truthful. Whether you believe it or not is up to you."Ten minutes later, they arrived home. As Julia stepped out of the car, she noticed Jared remained seated, unmoving."Why aren't you getting out?""I have something to attend to.
Darn it!She was caught red-handed!Julia clutched the man's shirt with an overwhelming sense of nervousness.Should she run for it?No, that wasn't an option. She wasn't the same independent Julia from her previous life. She had someone to worry about now, someone she couldn't leave behind.Conrad, she couldn't afford to be careless.Escaping was out of the question. In her current situation, fleeing wouldn't provide any comfort. And besides, she had a valid reason for being here.But finding a suitable reason for breaking into a man's room in the middle of the night and getting caught was a challenge in itself.As Julia grappled with the problem, Jared approached her."Look up at me."His voice echoed above her, sending a shiver down her spine. Should she meet his gaze?Not looking up would make her appear guilty. But what if he reads something from her face?Before she could decide, Jared's hand gently lifted her chin, tilting her small face upward to meet his gaze.Caught off guar
Julia rose to her feet immediately, withdrawing her hand from the man's large palm, and regarded Jared in astonishment."I told you I won't engage in any inappropriate actions. You're just going to sleep here," Jared clarified.His motive behind this was to test whether sharing a bed with someone could help alleviate his insomnia. He had been seeking an opportunity to verify this hypothesis, and since the last time he had spent the night with Julia, his insomnia had worsened considerably. He feared that this would have detrimental effects on his health if it persisted.As these thoughts swirled in Jared's mind, Julia took a few steps back, each retreat accompanied by a growing sense of unease.Jared felt a pang of displeasure at Julia's behavior. Was he so fearsome, a predator she needed to escape?"It seems like you've misunderstood something. I genuinely don't have any romantic intentions toward you," Julia began, observing the swift change in Jared's demeanor."What do you mean? Yo
After subconsciously stopping Julia's hand from exploring further, Jared kept sleeping in that same position.Julia tried to pull her hand back, but the guy's grip got tighter every time. Stuck, she eventually got pretty worn out from the struggle.Letting out a big yawn, Julia shut her eyes, and before she knew it, she was knocked out.The following day, Jared woke up early. Glancing at his side, he saw Julia cozied up in his arms. A smug grin then spread across his face.'I knew it,' he thought. 'I just need her by my side, and I'll sleep like a champ.'Meanwhile, Shiloh rolled out of his room in his wheelchair when he saw Julia's door ajar. Curious, he attempted to peek in, but Jared suddenly came out."B-Bro..." he called, dumbfounded. "Why are you—"Jared glared at him, shushing him mid-sentence."No, bro, seriously. What were you doing in Julia's room?!" Shiloh went on but in a hushed voice this time."Couldn't sleep," Jared replied like it was no big deal.But in the back of hi
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