The right-handed villain Jälle exited the sanatorium, and it was snowing. She had left the house in a hurry; the clothes she wore were exceedingly thin. Her slender figure looked exceptionally desolate and frail. She seemed completely out of it. Her complexion was pale, and her mental state was far from well.
Initially, the thought that, given their 20-year-long relationship, Mandy would ensure George at the Iranian men's orphanage was well cared for, even if he didn’t receive the best treatment, was well-taken.
In the wind, she went and saw George left alone on a shabby hospital bed, the air thick with a foul, putrid stench. She furiously looked for the person in charge and found out Mandy didn’t want to pay a single cent. Mandy was heartless and claimed she had no money to pay. When she went back to see Mandy the last time, the things she bought for George were enough to cover a year’s worth of his accommodation fees.
She breathed heavily. She glanced at the time on her watch and realized it was past 7:00 p.m. There was a park beside the sanatorium, and the side of the pathways was filled with stalls selling various delicacies. Julie strolled to the stalls and ordered paella from one of them. When she was waiting for her food, someone walked toward her.
Julie looked up. In that fleeting moment when their eyes met, she calmly looked away, choosing to ignore him. Lucian looked down at her; her skin was a dusty pink from the biting cold. He looked at the cashmere coat and the turtleneck sweater underneath. She had only these few layers on—no wonder she was cold…
He removed the scarf from his neck and wrapped it around her. The next second, a familiar, minty scent permeated her nose. “Your scarf,” she said, attempting to pull it away, but Lucian stopped her. “Keep it. It’s cold out,” he said as he sat opposite Julie. A short while later, as she was freezing, she asked, “How’s your grandfather?”
Lucian lazily retorted, “He couldn’t take it anymore and died.” Julie was somewhat shocked. “Huh? He’s dead?” At that moment, the stall owner brought the freshly made paella to her. When he heard Lucian’s response, he mumbled, “Did someone die at the sanatorium again?”
Confused, Julie looked at the stall owner and asked, “Sir, do people often die at the sanatorium?” “Everyone there is waiting to take their last breath,” he said. Then, he thought of something and added, “Oh, by the way, here is your paella, young lady.” Julie had not eaten anything the whole afternoon and was utterly famished. She ignored Lucian and dug into her food. Lucian quietly looked at her.
She felt uncomfortable by the way he looked at her. She met his gaze and asked, “Mr. Fuller, aren’t you leaving?” “Call me Luce,” Lucian said calmly. Julie felt slightly awkward.
He absently reached into his pocket. He took a cigarette from it and placed it between his teeth. Then, he flicked a lighter, lit the cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled rings. Julie honed in on the smell of cigarettes. She felt it was pungent and assaulted her senses. However, Lucian’s opened mouth carried a faint smell of strawberries, giving it a sweet and bitter scent. Julie wondered how cigarettes could carry such a scent.
She instinctively gazed at the skinny roll of the cigarette between his teeth. “It’s okay if you don’t call me Luce, but please don’t address me as Mr. Fuller,” Lucian lazily emphasized. Julie retracted her gaze and hummed in assent. She didn’t say a word as she focused on the food before her.
Minutes passed, and more snowflakes suddenly fell from the sky. Lucian said, “The snow is getting heavier. Let’s go.” Julie looked up, noticing that winter had arrived earlier than in previous years. She packed her leftover food and walked toward the main road. Lucian followed behind her at a steady pace that was not too fast or slow.
She turned around and looked at him. “I’m going back to the university. Why are you still following me?” Lucian had one hand in his pocket, and a faint smile played at the corner of his lips. “I have to head back too. What’s the matter? You’re being domineering now, huh? You won’t even let…”
She choked at that comment. She didn’t respond and continued on her way. He walked beside her and continued, “Look at you! You’re ignoring me!” Julie was rendered speechless. She initially thought Lucian had matured over the years, but she never expected his jaded nature to remain.
She sighed. “Lucian, please. There’s no need to follow…” “I don’t have any money on me.” Julie looked at Lucian blankly. “Huh?” she asked. “How am I supposed to go home without any money?” he complained, making a serious face. “Where’s your car? You can drive home.”
Maintaining a tense silence, Julie muttered, “I have to try. You won’t leave me here, right?” “Where’s your phone! Don’t tell me you didn’t bring your phone.” “I did, but it’s out of battery. I can’t pay for anything with it.” Julie was utterly speechless. She actually doubted the authenticity of his claims. Even so, she took her purse from her bag and handed Lucian a hundred-dollar bill. “Use this to call a cab.” Lucian glanced at the note in her hand but didn’t take it.
She instantly felt angry. “Lucian, what are you trying to do here?” “Where I stay is in the same direction as your university. Let’s share a cab. We can split the money that way.”
Chapter 18
She looked at him dubiously. “Really?” He nodded helplessly. “Julie, this is how little credibility I have with you now, huh?” The two of them managed to hail a cab when they arrived at the main road. On the way there, Julie stared at her phone, ignoring the man sitting beside her.
“Don’t look at your phone in the car. You might get a headache,” Lucian suddenly said. She glanced at him and said, “I’m tired.” “Trunk,” he retorted, which left her speechless. She didn’t want to continue arguing with him, so she put her phone away, leaned her head on the car window, and closed her eyes. He quietly gazed at her with an unabashed contentment in his eyes. Perhaps because she had been drenched from the falling snow earlier, but her hair appeared slightly damp. Even the fine, baby hairs along her hairline clung tightly to her smooth forehead.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her hand. She opened her eyes, only to be met with Lucian’s intense stare. She was caught off guard. “What are you doing?” Embarrassment flickered across Lucian’s face. He coughed lightly, straightened himself, and looked ahead. It was Stewart Peyton. She had blocked everyone related to Zayn except Stewart. When she was with Zayn for three years, Julie sensed that only Stewart was genuine toward her. Even so, she didn’t answer his call and turned her phone to silent mode. Lucian glanced at her and said nothing.
After ten minutes, the cab stopped at the university’s dorm building. Julie looked at the odometer, took 30 dollars from her purse, and gave it to Lucian. “Take this. You can pay him the money when you arrive at your place.” Lucian didn’t say anything and only took ten dollars from her. Raising an eyebrow, Julie asked, “Is it enough?” The meter was already showing over eight dollars. Lucian nodded. “It’s enough.”
When Julie got out of the car, Lucian called out to her, “Julie.” Julie turned around and looked at him. “What’s the matter?” He looked at her intensely and waved. “I’ll officially start working at my family’s company tomorrow.” She wondered why he was telling her this. As she was doubting his intentions, Lucian said again, “Hurry up and go. Text me when you’ve arrived at your dorm.” Then, he beckoned the driver to start the car.
After the car left the university’s compound, the driver asked, “Where are you going, young man?” Lucian looked up, saw the Mercedes parked at a distance, and lightly said, “You can stop right here.” Lucian exited the car and could see Julie’s dorm building from afar. Standing by the side of the road, he took out his phone and transferred the driver the cab fare. Then, he placed the ten-dollar bill Julie gave him into his wallet, walked to the Mercedes before him, and got into the front passenger seat.
Blaine was chewing gum and scoffed. “Luce, I saw everything.” Blaine didn’t call him out, but his face was full of disdain. “You manipulative man,” he said, sighing dramatically. “Poor Julie. She has to put up with a manipulative guy like you.” Lucian was unhappy. “Shut up and drive.”
Blaine gave a mocking hum and said with a sly grin, “Luce, why are you being so fussy about chasing after a woman? Just lock her in your arms and kiss her.” Lucian quirked his eyebrow at him, asking, “Are you telling me what to do?” “I’m teaching you how to go after a girl.” Blaine shrugged. “Okay, fine. I won’t fight with you about this anymore. On to actual business.”
Lucian raised his eyebrow at him and looked at him in disdain. “What actual business could you possibly have?” Blaine was rendered speechless. Why did he have to be so dense? Blaine wanted to kick him so badly. If it weren’t for the fact that he wasn’t skilled and strong enough, he would have actually done it.
Blaine decided to let it slide and said, “I heard from my brother that this upcoming auction is actually your welcoming party.” Lucian responded indifferently. “My father said to take this opportunity to make an appearance, but I don’t think it’s necessary.” Blaine was shocked. “Are you not going to show up that day?” “No. Who wants to go, be my guest.”
“If you’re not going, I’ll take Julie. I need a date anyway.” With that, he grinned slyly. Lucian snapped his head abruptly and stared at him grimly. “Don’t you dare!”