Chapter 32: Losing His Sense
“Dig in,” Anthony greeted warmly, his tone inviting.
However, Jared’s thoughts remained preoccupied with Julia and Lincoln’s recent. encounter, leaving him with little appetite. He retrieved his phone and composed at message to send to Julia.
[Where are you?]
Julia: [Hmm?]
Julia halted in her steps, perplexed by the sudden message, asking herself, ‘Why was he asking this now?”
Seeing that Julia was preoccupied with her thoughts. Lincoln couldn’t help but ask,
“Boss, what’s going on?” Lincoln chimed in, also pausing.
“Just give me a moment. I’m waiting for a response,” Julia replied after tweaking the message.
Julia thought for a while before replying.
[I’m outside.]
[Alone?] Jared inquired further.
Suspicion cast a fleeting shadow in Julia’s eyes as she scanned her surroundings. A particular nuance in Jared’s inquiry triggered a sense that he might be in close proximity. Yet, after a thorough sweep of her surroundings, she concluded that her speculation could be nothing more than a product of an overactive imagination.
[With a friend.]
Jared persisted, [Male or Female?]
Julia blinked, her mind momentarily muddled. Why was he suddenly so curious about her plans today?
Glancing at Lincoln beside her, Julia considered telling the truth. However, she soon realized that she was still his wife in name despite Jared’s lack of interest in her. It would be best to avoid unnecessary complications.
After all, Jared wasn’t present, and he wouldn’t and couldn’t verify her answer. With this in mind, Julia deleted her previous draft and rewrote her response.
[Female.] Julia replied succinctly to Jared’s question.
The message Julia sent triggered a sudden darkening of Jared’s expression. Moments ago, he had been considering that honesty from Julia might mitigate his anger, leading to a fair and open discussion. With Julia’s apparent deception, suspicions crept in, hinting at potential ulterior motives.
Jared’s visage grew increasingly somber as his thoughts spiraled, his anger simmering and causing sweat to bead on his forehead.
15:40
Losing His Sense
Observing this transformation, Anthony and the others exchanged knowing glances, signaling that the effects of the wine‘ s contents had begun to take hold.
In a gesture of conciliation, Naomi rose from her seat and approached Jared with a glass of wine.
“Jared, I’m sorry, that wasn‘ t my intention-” Naomi began, but before she could. finish, he abruptly stood and strode toward the exit.
No, he was leaving!
Anthony swiftly rose with the aid of his cane, calling after Jared. “Mr. Brooks, where are you going?”
Jared, consumed by fury, had no patience for the affairs of the Scott family. He flung the door open and stepped outside.
As he took a step forward, he collided with Julia, who happened to be passing by. In a split second before impact, Jared reacted, his arm snaking around Julia’s waist, pulling her into his embrace.
Wide–eyed, Julia stared at Jared, who was now holding her. Was he truly here? And was it just a stroke of luck that they collided?
“Hey! Jared, release her at once! Do you think my boss’s waist is something you can grab?” Lincoln’s voice boomed as he rushed forward, attempting to pry Julia from
Jared’s grasp.
Jared took a step back, evading Lincoln‘ s reach while keeping Julia firmly ensconced in his arms.
“Jared, are you out of your mind? You barged in and knocked into my boss. What‘ your problem? Are you itching for a fight? I’m warning you, let go of my boss now, or I won’t hesitate to take you on!” Lincoln declared, tearing off his suit jacket and assuming a combative stance, ready to confront Jared.
Jared’s frigid gaze lifted from Lincoln’s form, his eyes fixating on the young woman held in his arms. “Is he a woman?”
Julia’s head was throbbing slightly.
“Hmm… I’ve always thought of him as a sister. Is that explanation acceptable?”
Jared clenched his teeth. Could he get any more exasperated?
Lincoln’s gaze flicked between Julia and Jared, sensing something amiss.
“Boss, do you know him?”
Julia extricated herself from Jared’s hold and sighed, “Well… truth be told, I’m married to him.”
“What?!” Lincoln stared at Julia in utter disbelief. Then, without regard for decorum, he yanked at his ear.
Julia was at a loss for words.
Before she could repeat herself, Jared spoke up. “She’s with me now, so keep your distance.‘
Lincoln’s eyes widened, the shock etched across his face. Julia didn’t deny it – could it be true?
“Boss, how did you end up marrying him? He’s not a good guy! Don’t let his looks deceive you. You‘ re not that shallow and frivolous. Did you wake up one day and decide, ‘Oh, I want to get married,‘ and he was the first one you thought of? If that’s the case, you could have picked someone better.”
Julia rolled her eyes silently. What was all this about?
Lincoln rambled, “If you‘ re desperate, I’ll volunteer to marry you. And if that’s a no–go, we have other eligible bachelors – good ones. Even our little brother proclaimed he d marry you when he was ten, and now he’s been nursing a secret crush on you for a decade. He’s almost of marriageable age. You might as well divorce this guy pronto, get engaged to our little brother now, and marry him in a couple of years.”
Jared’s expression had turned as dark as a storm cloud. Was Lincoln holding some grudge against him? It seemed like every time they met; he suggested a divorce. Why were things fine between them, only to end up in divorce? And now he was even playing matchmaker for his own wife, introducing her to various men. And who was
younger brother Lincoln talking about? He had apparently been missing his wife for a whole decade!
this
And was Julia the type to pursue or pester someone, assuming they would either tolerate her or discard her easily?
No way!
Just as Jared’s mind was racing with these thoughts, Julia interjected, “That‘ s enough. This is getting all mixed up. Jared and I have a temporary marriage arrangement. After a while, we’ll go our separate ways.”
Temporary marriage!
Those words struck Jared like a bolt of lightning, igniting a raging fire within him that threatened to consume his every thought.
Driven by a sudden surge of emotion, he seized Julia’s wrist and pressed her against the wall.
“Ah!” Julia let out a hiss of pain as her back connected with the hard surface.
What had come over him so suddenly?
“What do you think you‘ re doing?” Julia managed to utter, only to have her words silenced by the man’s thin lips pressing down on hers.
