Chapter 127: Jared Gives Julia a Luxury Car
And what kind of intricate connection wove between that striking gentleman and Julia? One might assume that their association was far from straightforward, wouldn’t you agree? Indeed, it seemed Julia was treading on the uncertain waters of two different ships simultaneously.
Amidst these musings, Julia found herself the target of even more scorn from the thoughtless admirers. Their disdain for her seemed to deepen. In this moment, Jared strode over to Julia’s side, his gaze icy and penetrating as he fixed his stare at Paul.
Paul’s
eyes, once met by Jared’s unwavering look, eventually shifted toward Julia. It was then that he produced a car key, his gesture marked with a certain flourish. “Come forth, for this BMW is now yours.”
Karla had just risen from the ground, and upon hearing these words, a pang of jealousy surged through her unexpectedly. If glares could inflict harm, she might well have dissected Julia with her eyes alone.
Meanwhile, Jared dipped his hand into his pocket, retrieving a key which he then pressed into Julia’s hand, nestling it within her palm. “For you,” he declared.
The enormity of the situation caused Paul’s eyes to widen, his gaze akin to that of a bull caught in a spotlight. Maybach? Who was this mysterious man, dripping in wealth? The two–brained fans stood shocked, grappling with the idea that perhaps the true caretaker of Julia wasn’t Paul after all, but this enigmatic newcomer of striking handsomeness.
Julia regarded the car keys in her possession, surmising that Jared’s gesture was likely aimed at maintaining appearances before Paul. With this perception, she saw no reason to hold back and, with a smile, she latched onto the man’s arm. “Thank you, my dear husband!”
Jared’s satisfaction at the term “husband” was evident, his posture loftier than ever. He delved into his pocket once more, producing yet another set of keys which he nestled into Julia’s hand.
Julia was taken aback, uttering, “What’s this?”
“The key to the vault,” Jared revealed matter–of–factly.
The implications hit Julia like a jolt of electricity. The key to the vault! Was he truly entrusting it to her? Or was this mere theater for Paul’s benefit?
Before Julia could untangle this web of intrigue, Paul’s laughter rang out, dripping with mockery. “Hahaha–You youngsters are quite the magicians, hoodwinking me with a mere counterfeit car key?” Paul’s words were imbued with an air of certainty, as if he had already unraveled the truth of the matter.
Paul’s words echoed through the minds of those present. None but the city’s upper echelons could fathom affording a Maybach. And yet, Jared was conspicuously absent from the city’s roster of elites. A memory flickered in Paul’s mind, a recollection of a casual mention by Philip. Jared, a hired hand by Julia, putting on an act. The preces seemed to fit perfectly.
“Are you the hired hand? The cowherd?” Paul’s words dripped with irony. “Philip once spoke of you in those terms. I was skeptical, but now it all makes sense. Do you know why? Because if you handed me those keys, I wouldn’t have suspected their authenticity. But now you bestow a Maybach worth millions upon millions. The pretense is staggering.”
This revelation sent a wave of realization through the clueless fans who, in a synchronized moment, regarded Jared with a mixture of scorn and disappointment. It was a pity, they thought, that such a dashing figure could stoop to such lengths.
11:22
Just as one such devotee was poised to share this damning narrative with the world, a hand swooped in and seized the phone. Henry, with his chiseled features, stood before them.
“Who do you think you are? Why abscond with my phone?” The fan’s indignant tone was met with a swift deletion of the contents on the device, which was then returned with a smile.
Henry’s voice carried a hint of wisdom as he spoke. “Let me share a truth with you. Those who wield keyboards to wreak havoc on others also sow their own destruction. Had you published that manipulated content just now, you might have found yourself facing legal consequences.” His once–amiable demeanor turned threatening. “Let this be a lesson. Keyboard warriors often crumble when exposed to the light.”
The misguided fan stared, stunned by Henry’s words. These virtual warriors thrived in shadows, only to cower from the spotlight of truth.
Julia, holding Jared’s hand, interjected. “Pay them no mind. Conversing with such individuals is futile.”
Jared nodded, casting his gaze toward the adjacent mother–and–baby store. “What brings you both here?”
This inquiry, seemingly innocent, sent ripples of unease through Julia and Maddie’s hearts. “Ah, well, we’re visiting a friend with a newborn. Maddie and I thought to procure a gift for the occasion.”
Jared harbored no suspicions toward Julia’s statements. In the midst of this, his cellphone erupted into song. It was Joseph on the other end. “Boss, have you sorted things out?”
Julia’s insight swiftly pieced together the puzzle. It had to be about her once more – regardless of company affairs, he dashed off alone. “You should hurry back,” she advised, standing firm in her self–reliance. After all, she had been handling matters this way all along. She was no stranger to fending for herself.
Jared’s gaze
shifted to Paul, who was merrily toying with his romantic rival, a dangerous glint in his narrowed eyes. He recognized the urgency of resolving this latent threat posthaste.
“Understood. I’ll head back to the company. Let me know when you’re done shopping tonight, and I’ll come pick you up.”
Julia waved away the offer. “No need for trouble. I’ll just grab a cab,” she said, handing the car keys back to Jared.
Jared refused to relent. “No trouble at all. I’m your husband. It’s my duty,” he uttered, an implicit suggestion lacing his words. As astute as Julia was, she caught the implication.
But there was a hitch – the term ‘husband‘ had slipped out effortlessly before, part of their façade, but now,
when she uttered the word ‘man,‘ an unexplainable sense of embarrassment washed over her. Jared waited for her to repeat the term for over ten seconds, a stretch of time that bore his disappointment like an exposed nerve.
“Off I go,” she finally announced.
“Stay safe on the road,” Julia called after him, waving.
Maddie, standing alongside, observed, “Julia, he seems genuinely caring. Despite his busy schedule, he rushed over just to see you. He isn’t even afraid of jeopardizing his job.”
Fire him? He was the company’s top brass, the titan of the business world. Who’d dare dismiss him? Julia mused inwardly.
“Let’s head in.”
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Just as Julia and Maddie were poised to step into the mother–and–baby emporium, Paul interjected again. “Hey! A word of warning – steer clear of my brother and my wife. Cross that line and I won’t be so polite.” Suddenly, Henry materialized, positioning himself like a barrier between Julia and
Paul.
Paul wasn’t acquainted with Jared, given the man’s knack for avoiding the limelight and dodging social gatherings. However, Henry’s reputation diverged. He was the scion of the illustrious Miles family, the lone inheritor of Xonix Film and Television Economic Company.
“You, are you Young Master Miles?”
Young Master Miles? Who on earth was that? Maddie’s incredulous scrutiny swept Henry from head to toe.
“Move aside, distance yourself from her! If you persist in pestering her, I won’t need to get my hands dirty–someone will step in on her behalf.” Henry’s warning to Paul was as stern as his tone suggested.
Paul’s heart raced at the implication. Someone intervening? Who?
Could it possibly be him?
Paul’s mind conjured the image of Jared’s piercing, frigid black
eyes.
7 11:59]
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Chapter 128: To kidnap Julia
