Chapter 12
Julian felt a tightness in his chest. He irritably loosened his tie and turned to walk away.
“Julian, wait for me!” Seeing his resolute departure, Vera quickly scrambled to her feet and hurried after him.
She had never seen Julian so angry before and didn’t dare express her own frustration. She followed him with difficulty, struggling to keep up.
Julian desperately tried every card he had, but none worked.
Without identification, he couldn’t buy plane tickets or even check into their previous hotel.
After hours of frustration, exhausted and hungry, he called his old friends to borrow money.
“Mason, transfer me five hundred grand. I’ll pay you back when I return.”
His tone was casual, but after a long silence, Mason still hadn’t answered. Julian repeated, “Mason? Transfer me some cash.”
“I can give you ten grand max,” Mason finally replied, his voice low with reluctance.
“What’s that supposed to mean? I’ve handed you projects worth way more than that…” Julian exploded, but was cut off.
“Times have changed. Not just you, even the Hayes family couldn’t repay five hundred grand right now. Consider this ten grand payment to end our association. Don’t contact me again.” Mason hung up after speaking, transferring the money to Vera’s account.
Julian was furious, nearly smashing his phone.
He contacted five or six other friends, all with poor attitudes, refusing to lend him money. The worst simply hung up upon hearing his voice.
“Julian, what’s happening? Why are they giving you so little? Talk about ungrateful!” Vera’s face paled with worry.
“Are you really broke? I’m starving-let’s get something to eat first.”
Julian didn’t answer but habitually took her to a high-end restaurant, spending all the borrowed money on a single meal.
Vera didn’t have enough money for a luxury hotel, so they found a cheap roadside motel without windows, making it difficult to breathe.
“Julian, think of something! We’ll starve without money,” Vera wailed, pacing anxiously in front of him. “Maybe we should go back home? Tell everyone you faked your death. I’d still be your mistress.”
Julian had no time for her, consumed with analyzing what Mason had said. How could the Hayes family be unable to repay a mere five hundred
thousand?
Had something happened to the family?
“Are you even listening to me? Do something!” Seeing him ignore her, Vera went over and shook him forcefully.
Julian, thoroughly annoyed, pushed her away. “Shut up! If it wasn’t for your trashy ass convincing me to fake my death, none of this crap would be happening right now.”
“You’re blaming ME?” Vera stared at him in disbelief, tears instantly streaming down.
In the past, seeing her like this would have melted Julian’s heart. But today, he felt only irritation and regret.
How could he have abandoned the Hayes fortune and a wonderful wife like Lydia for such a woman?
“Sell your luxury items so we can get back home,” Julian said, wanting to avoid further argument as he began sorting through her bags and clothes.
Vera quickly jumped up and blocked him. “Don’t touch my things! What kind of man are you, wanting to sell MY possessions?”
Julian’s eyes darkened as he slapped her across the face. “YOUR things? Which one wasn’t bought with MY money?”
Julian ignored her protests and took several bags and jewelry boxes, heading for the door.
Chapter 12
Just as he reached the doorway, Vera smashed an ashtray against the back of his head, knocking him to the floor. Blood trickled down as he stared at
her in utter disbelief.
“You forced me to do this! YOU FORCED MY HAND!” Vera threw down the ashtray, grabbed her luggage, and fled.
“Don’t leave me… get me to a hospital… Vera…” Julian reached out toward her retreating figure. “I don’t want to die.”
Julian’s outstretched arm gradually fell as regret and despair consumed him.
