Chapter 17: Did You Fall In Love With Me?
Jared’s words hung in the air, casting an unexpected tension over the room. Joseph’s forehead glistened with beads of sweat as he watched the scene unfold.
Caught off guard, Julia blinked in surprise, her mind struggling to process the
meaning behind Jared’s inquiry. Why was he asking her this now?
Before she could collect her thoughts, Jared swiftly rose from his seat, retrieving a cup
of hot water and extending it to her. It was a simple gesture, but one that left Julia slightly befuddled by his sudden change in behavior.
Julia sipped the water, her gaze fixated on Jared as she attempted to decipher the intentions behind his actions: “Why… are you suddenly caring about me?” she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Jared’s expression remained composed, but a hint of something indiscernible flickered in his eyes. “You’ve jumped to conclusions,” he replied, deflecting her question. He stood up, his tone cool. “Rest up. Once you’re feeling better, provide the treatment for her leg.”
Julia’s lips curled into a small smile. His concern for her had its limits; it was primarily driven by his brother’s needs. She couldn’t help but feel a mix of gratitude and understanding.
As Jared exited the room, Joseph followed suit. Watching his boss’s retreating figure, Joseph couldn’t help but be surprised by the revelation of Jared’s complex emotions. Despite his aloof exterior, the boss was still capable of affection and attraction. Joseph couldn’t help but appreciate his boss’s stoic charm, though he would have simply stayed and enjoyed the company.
Over the course of the night, Julia’s condition improved, and the discomfort that had plagued her was now a memory. The knock on the door signaled Jared’s presence, his deep voice resonating in the room as he checked on her progress.
Julia, focused on building trust and rapport with Jared, was determined to accompany him to the upcoming banquet. She assured him of her well–being and prepared herself for the event ahead.
Descending the stairs, Jared took a seat on the sofa, his laptop open before him. His mind flitted between the tasks at hand and the woman upstairs, his thoughts inexplicably divided.
The sound of a soft knock pulled his attention from his work, and he looked up to find Julia entering the room, a hint of anticipation in her eyes. “How are you? If you’re not feeling up to it, you don’t have to attend the banquet,” he offered, his tone genuine.
Julia’s resolve held firm. She was determined to assist him, to prove her worth and solidify her position. “I’m fine. I just need a moment to finish getting ready,” she replied.
Jared nodded, his gaze lingering on her. The room seemed to hum with a quiet tension
as they exchanged glances.
“Fine.”
Jared descended the staircase, his steps measured and deliberate. He settled onto the sofa, his posture relaxed but his expression betraying a hint of restlessness. A faint air of boredom surrounded him as he opened his notebook computer, its soft glow casting a dim illumination on his features. His attention shifted to the screen, engrossed in the mundane tasks that awaited him for the following day.
Shiloh’s voice sliced through the quiet air, tinged with concern and curiosity. “Brother, are you truly planning to bring her along?”
Jared’s response was subtle, his voice a mere whisper that carried a weighty determination. “Yes.”
Shiloh’s features contorted, a mix of discomfort and unease playing across his face. He voiced his reservations, his words a plea rather than a mere inquiry. “But don’t
you think she’s… scheming? I heard about what happened yesterday. She struck Cameron and accused her of causing her stomach pain. It’s unacceptable! It’s a contemptible act! Brother, how can you simply tolerate it?”
A sudden shift in Jared’s demeanor captured Shiloh’s attention. His brother’s gaze snapped up, eyes narrowing with an intensity that sent a shiver down Shiloh’s spine. Something was amiss.
His brother’s voice was laced with an almost icy calm as he demanded, “Who shared this information with you?”
Shiloh hesitated under the weight of Jared’s displeasure, realizing that he had perhaps ventured into treacherous territory. “It was the family servant,” he admitted, his voice tinged with unease.
A palpable chill seemed to permeate the room, emanating from Jared’s narrowed eyes. His command, delivered with a steely resolve, reverberated through the air. “Joseph, inform them that this is their final chance. Any repeat of such behavior will not be tolerated.”
Joseph, a witness to the unfolding scene, nodded obediently and swiftly made his exit to carry out the orders.
Shiloh was left bewildered, grappling to understand the depths of his brother’s reaction. “Brother, what are you planning?”
Jared’s words sliced through the air, his tone holding a degree of certainty that left no room for argument. “Julia never once implicated Cameron in causing her stomach pain. She consistently maintained that Cameron was not involved.”
Confusion etched itself onto Shiloh’s features, his gaze drifting upward toward Julia’s room. Doubt gnawed at his mind. “But… could she have deliberately framed Cameron? Isn’t that what these conniving tactics are all about? Portraying oneself as a victim while actually bullying others, all to create an illusion of kindness?”
A hint of impatience threaded through Jared’s words, his gaze unflinching as he addressed his brother. “Do you truly believe my ability to assess situations is so shallow?”
Shiloh’s gaze locked onto Jared’s, an unspoken understanding passing between them. His brother possessed an uncanny insight, a perceptive ability that far surpassed the ordinary. Jared had the uncanny knack of deciphering the truth that lay beneath the surface.
“So, Cameron wasn’t attacked? I heard her face was swollen from the altercation. Could she have inflicted the injuries upon herself?”
Jared’s actions mirrored his thoughts as he snapped his notebook computer shut, his words charged with a weighty uncertainty. “The full picture remains unclear. What I do know is that when I entered the room, Julia was peeling an orange, her fingers deftly unwrapping the skin as she chewed.”
Shiloh’s mind whirred as he processed this new piece of information. He found himself reevaluating his perception of Julia and her actions. Could he have misjudged her character and intentions? Was it possible that his preconceived notions had blinded him to the truth?
As Shiloh grappled with these thoughts, a distant sound echoed from upstairs, piercing the stillness. His gaze lifted instinctively, drawn to the source of the commotion. In the span of a heartbeat, his demeanor shifted, his once–confident stance faltering.
Jared, attuned to the change in Shiloh’s demeanor, swiveled around, his eyes locking onto his brother’s frozen form. The intensity of Jared’s gaze was nearly blinding, something he never saw in his brother before.
