“Is this what you meant by saying you wouldn’t touch my people? Because it seems to me–you were very willing to.“}
Panic spread across Vanessa’s face as she stammered, “Mr. Ward, I really didn’t know! If I had known Arielle was your wife, I would never have treated her like that–“>
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t know?”
“Alright then, let me ask you–did Arielle ever say her husband is me?”
“Did she ever tell you she’s not a prostitute? That she isn’t sick? That she forgot her phone and asked you to help contact me?“>
With each question, Vanessa’s face turned a shade paler. Under the weight of his gaze, she finally nodded, trembling.
Sebastian’s expression hardened. “So, let me get this straight. You knew Arielle was my wife, yet you deliberately chose to humiliate and harm her?”
“I’m not the kind of man who turns the other cheek. You took the lead in bullying my wife. How do you think I should repay you?“}] He snapped his fingers. A bodyguard stepped forward immediately.
“Give her back tenfold everything she did to my wife–and everything she wanted to do but didn’t have time for. After that, send her to that freak show boss in Southeast Asia. I hear he’s short on performers lately.””
The bodyguard pulled out a knife and walked slowly toward Vanessa.}
She shrieked and threw herself at Julian’s legs, sobbing:
“Aze! Save me! You’re the head of the Cross family. President Ward will listen to you–he’ll show you respect!“}
Julian looked down at her coldly, then gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.”
“Alright. Tell me one thing, and I’ll save you.”}
“Why did I get drunk that day? And how exactly did you tell Arielle about the balloons? Be honest, and I’ll help you. Okay?”
Vanessa froze. Her eyes darted around, panic rising, but the fear of death loosened her tongue.
“That night, I drugged your wine,” she whispered. “Then I used your phone to send Arielle the hotel location, just so she’d walk in and see us together.“}
“I told her the balloons weren’t new–that they were from the ones you and I used… I wanted her to think you were disgusting and leave you.“}
“Aze, I did it all because I love you. You’ll forgive me, right?“}
Julian was silent for a moment, then gave a low, bitter laugh.”
He stood and turned to Sebastian.
“Mr. Ward, Vanessa defamed and hurt your wife intentionally. I won’t stop you. Do what you must.”
Vanessa stared up at him, stunned. She screamed:
“Julian, have you lost your mind?! I’m your wife! We’ve been married for years–how can you throw me away to please Arielle, that gold–digging whore?!”
Julian’s gaze turned colder than ice.
“Arielle never asked me for a single penny. Even when we divorced, she walked away with nothing.“>
“If it weren’t for you whispering poison in my ear–telling me she only loved my money, and convincing me to test her with those stupid balloons–I wouldn’t have lost her at all.”
He gave a small, cruel smile.
“By the way, I forgot to mention something. That plot of land in Canada? The Rose Manor? It wasn’t bought last year. It was built years ago.”
“I never planned to marry you. Not really. The marriage certificate you have? It’s fake.“}
“Enjoy the memory.”
Vanessa looked like she’d been struck by lightning. The six–year marriage she’d clung to had been nothing but a farce.
As the bodyguards dragged her away, she laughed and cried, struggling in their grip. She looked at Julian with hatred burning in her eyes.§ “Julian, do you really think playing the devoted man now will win Arielle back?” she spat.”
“She’s married already–to Sebastian, a man a hundred times more powerful than you! Do you think you’re even in the same league anymore?”
“And even if I drugged you, those cruel words–you said to yourself. A drunk man speaks with a sober mind. Arielle will never forgive you. Not in this life!”
