Chapter 15

Julie spent the next two days looking for an apartment. Once she found a suitable place, she planned to leave the university dorm. Suddenly, her phone rang from inside her purse. She excused herself briefly from the housing agent and stepped aside to answer the call.

A familiar chuckle came through the phone.

“Do you still remember me, Julie?!”

Julie’s grip on the phone tightened. How could she forget? Amaya had told her.

“Of course, Zachary.”

Zachary laughed and said in a nonchalant tone, “I thought you’d forgotten about me, old friend.”

Shaking her head, Julie replied, “No, why would I?”

“Let’s meet tomorrow. We haven’t seen each other for two or three years,” he suggested, but Julie rejected the idea.

“I’m sorry. I’m busy for the next few days.”

Zachary and Zayn were childhood friends, and neither was a good person. The situation had caused quite a stir back then. Zachary was promptly sent abroad by his parents, and his mother, Karen Oslow, even met privately with Julie afterward.

Karen and Martha were best friends—both considered themselves superior.

To this day, she still remembered how Martha and Karen had sat opposite her, the unconcealable contempt and disdain in their eyes. They both said the same thing: “You don’t deserve to step foot into the Quinn and Peyton families.”

“That’s unfortunate. Let’s meet next time,” Zachary’s somewhat dejected voice drifted over, pulling Julie’s wandering thoughts back to the present.

Julie brushed him off with a vague answer and ended the call.

“Miss, what do you think about the place?” the housing agent asked, walking over after noticing she had ended her call.

Julie’s eyes swept across the apartment. It was located in the financial district. The price was reasonable, but the renovations were new. This meant formaldehyde levels were likely to exceed safety limits.

Before she replied, the housing agent continued, “I have another apartment. Why don’t we take a look?”

Julie nodded. “Actually, I don’t need a place that was just newly renovated.”

The housing agent nodded.

The two went downstairs and exited the residential complex. Julie glanced at the time and suggested, “Why don’t we grab something to eat? It’ll be my treat.”

The housing agent obliged. “Okay, I know a nice place nearby. Let me bring you there.”

Julie nodded and followed him.

At this moment, Zayn finished his meeting at Peyton Group and returned to his office. His assistant brought today’s menu to Zayn and carefully inquired, “Sir Zayn, this is the lunch menu for today. Take a look at what you want to eat, and I’ll place the order immediately.”

Recently, his assistant could tell that Zayn was in a terrible mood, so she had been careful with her words and actions.

Zayn glanced at the menu momentarily. Before he could say anything, his phone rang on the table. He looked at the caller ID and instinctively frowned.

“Hello,” Zayn said.

The next second, Amaya’s pitiful voice came through the receiver. “Zayn, I’m at your company, b-but the receptionist won’t allow me to enter, saying I don’t have an appointment.”

“Yes, I miss you.”

Hearing Megan’s sweet, drawling voice, Zayn felt a sudden wave of exhaustion. “Hold on, I’ll ask my assistant to get you.”

Then, he hung up the call and looked at his assistant, who was standing nearby. “Hold off ordering lunch. Go to the lobby and get someone here for me.”

“Okay, Mr. Peyton.”

The assistant exited Zayn’s office and went to the reception. She had worked in this line for many years. From Zayn’s call, she knew Megan’s relationship with Zayn was far more than it seemed.

She walked toward Megan and greeted her with a smile. “Hi, Ms. Hart. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Mr. Zayn’s assistant, Priscilla Jameson.”

Megan looked at Priscilla up and down. When she noticed the knee-length skirt, she casually asked, “Do you always dress this way, Ms. Jameson?”

Priscilla was taken aback before nodding subtly.

Megan hummed in assent and did not press further. “Where’s Zay—Zayn’s office? I’ll look for him on my own. I want to give Zay—Zayn a surprise.”

Priscilla noticed the pet name Megan used, and her hair stood on end from embarrassment. She never thought Zayn would fancy such a coy woman. This woman was nothing like Julie.

Maintaining her professionalism, Priscilla smiled and said, “Mr. Peyton’s office is the one on the right at the far end of the corridor.”

“Thank you,” Megan said, childishly sticking her tongue out at Priscilla.

Priscilla wore a professionally practiced smile and said, “No need to thank me, Ms. Hart. You’re too kind.”

After watching Megan leave, Priscilla couldn’t help but shudder. Out of sheer curiosity, the receptionist asked, “Pris, who is that?”

“Mr. Peyton’s girlfriend. Be more alert next time.”

The receptionist was shocked. “Huh? Isn’t Ms. Somers Mr. Peyton’s girlfriend? Why is it a different person now?”

Priscilla said sternly, “Less talking and more working.”

As she spoke, she glanced in the direction Megan left.

At that moment, Megan arrived at Zayn’s office. When she looked at the plaque above the door, a surge of vanity instantly overwhelmed her heart. She knew Zayn’s family was wealthy but never expected them to own such a large company.

If things worked out between her and Zayn, she would be the lady of this company.

“Zay—Zayn.” Megan opened the door and peered in. She saw the man behind the desk and asked in a saccharine voice, “Can I come in?”

Zayn raised his gaze and replied, “Come in.”

She entered with a giggle.

“Wow, your office is ginormous, Zay—Zayn.” She scanned her surroundings.

Zayn asked, “Why are you here? Why didn’t you let me know you were coming?”

“I wanted to give you a surprise, Zay—Zayn.” After saying that, she suddenly thought of something. Like presenting a treasure, she quickly placed the lunchbox she had brought on Zayn’s desk.

“Zay—Zayn, this is the lunchbox I made for you. It’s full of my love. You have no idea how many hours I spent on this.” She coyly stretched her hand before Zayn, saying, “Look, I’ve injured myself. It hurts.”

Zayn noticed the bandage on her slim hand and held her hand in his. “Don’t make it if you don’t know how to. Otherwise, my heart will ache to see you hurt.”

Giggling, she said, “I’m willing to do anything for you, Zay—Zayn. Try it and see if it’s to your liking.”

Zayn sighed helplessly and pinched her face affectionately. “Thank you for going through the trouble.”

Then, he took the lunchbox, curious about what Megan had made for him. However, he was stunned when he saw the food inside.

Megan noticed Zayn’s displeasure and asked cautiously, “What’s the matter, Zay—Zayn? Don’t you like it?”

He returned the lunchbox to the table and said lightly, “I don’t eat spicy food.”

He had a sensitive stomach, so Julie had been restricting his spicy food intake for years. He was used to lighter flavors, but everything Megan made was spicy.

Megan was somewhat disappointed. “I’m sorry, Zay—Zayn. I didn’t know.”

As she apologized, tears uncontrollably streamed down her face.

Zayn was startled by her reaction. He wasn’t blaming her, so why was she crying? He helplessly sighed and hugged her. “It’s okay, babe. It’s okay. I’m not blaming you for it.”

“I just wanted to give you a surprise. I’m sorry, Zay—Zayn,” Megan croaked.

Suddenly, knocks sounded at the door.

Zayn pushed Megan away and returned to his seat before saying, “Come in.”

Priscilla entered with a cup of coffee and a glass of juice.

“Mr. Peyton, your coffee with no sugar,” Priscilla said, placing the coffee on Zayn’s desk. Then, she placed the juice on the coffee table in front of the couch and said, “I made fruit juice for you, Ms. Hart.”

Megan sized Priscilla up before saying, “Ms. Jameson, I don’t think your attire is appropriate for the workplace. People might think you’re not dressed for work.” Priscilla was rendered speechless.

This crazy woman! She hadn’t secured her position yet, and she was already acting like she was Zayn’s wife. Priscilla thought Zayn’s taste had truly gone downhill.

Priscilla professionally explained, “I think there might be a misunderstanding here, Ms. Hart. I’ve been married for a few years.”

Megan said disapprovingly, “So what if you’re married? Who knows what you’re up to with your revealing attire?”

Zayn, who was sitting at the side, had a ghastly look on his face. With a loud bang, he slammed the coffee cup down heavily on the table.

Megan was startled and frantically looked over at Zayn.

Zayn interrupted her before she could finish, “You can leave now, Ms. Jameson.”

Priscilla nodded and left the general manager’s office.

Megan saw the look of displeasure on Zayn’s face and immediately apologized with reddened eyes, “I’m sorry, Zay—Zayn. I—” She started sobbing.

Zayn felt an overwhelming exhaustion sweep over him. He let out a heavy sigh. “From now on, don’t come to the company anymore.”

Her breath was caught for a moment. “Zay—Zayn, p—please don’t be angry.”

As she spoke, her tears fell even more profusely. Megan croaked, “I—I love you too much. I’m sorry. Please don’t be angry. I’ll apologize to Ms. Jameson now.”

Zayn saw her sobbing and sniffling. Even her eyes were scarlet. He stretched his hand toward her and said, “Come here.”

She compliantly walked toward him and said coyly, “I’m sorry, Zay—Zayn.”

He reached out and gently wiped the tears from her face before gently coaxing her, “Okay, that’s enough. Don’t cry anymore. I’ll bring you out for a nice meal.”

Megan nodded as she sniffed.

Zayn never thought he would bump into Julie while having a meal with Megan. Furthermore, she was with another man.

She was with Blaine last time. Who could it be this time? She was meeting a string of men endlessly.

He sighed in his heart, convincing himself that Julie wasn’t a good person.