When Blaine explained the situation, Julie hesitated upon learning it was to accompany him to an auction. “Isn’t that inappropriate? What if your girlfriend finds out? She might misunderstand.”

Blaine, caught off guard, stammered, “Girlfriend? Who said I have a girlfriend?”

He palpably glanced at Lucian, and Blaine puffed up his chest in frustration. “Lucian, are you spreading rumors again? When did I ever have a girlfriend?”

Lucian regarded him with feigned disinterest. “If she’s not your girlfriend, then what is she?”

Blaine was speechless. If murder weren’t illegal, he’d strangle Lucian right then and there. He turned back to Julie, flashing a nervous grin. “It’s not true. Don’t listen to him. I’m still very much single.” Julie raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.

Blaine pleaded with Lucian, “Aren’t we supposed to be friends? Clear this up for me!”

Lucian didn’t even look up. “Clear up what?”

“That I’m single!”

“Oh, you’re single. But that doesn’t stop you from acting like this, does it?”

Blaine was dumbfounded.

Julie looked at Lucian. “What auction? Why do you need a date?”

Before Lucian could answer, Blaine eagerly stepped in to explain. After hearing him out, Julie finally understood it was for Lucian’s welcome party.

She turned to Lucian, surprised. “You’re going too?”

Blaine scoffed. “Him? Looking like that? If he doesn’t go…”

“Who said I’m not going?” Lucian interrupted, his tone cold. “It’s my welcome party. How can I not go?”

Blaine looked confused. “But you said you weren’t going before. What changed?”

Lucian’s expression darkened. “Shut up.”

Julie sighed at the two of them. “Enough. You’re both acting like children. How old are you? Why are you still…” Her words immediately silenced the ward.

Realizing she might have overstepped, Julie looked down, awkwardly adding, “I just meant…”

Before she could finish, Lucian waved a hand. “Alright, no more arguing.”

Julie was taken aback. She hadn’t expected him to actually listen.

Blaine turned toward her with a shy grin. “Julie, just agree to come with me. It’ll be boring to go alone.”

“Is Lucian going with you?” she asked.

Blaine snorted. “He’s not going. I need a proper date.”

Julie hesitated for a moment.

Lucian said in his usual calm voice, “Go ahead. It’ll be fun for you.”

After a moment, Julie softly agreed.

Blaine’s lips twitched in annoyance. So, after all this effort, he was just the unnecessary third wheel? Lucian hadn’t even spoken a word in his favor. “What time does it start? Do I need to do anything?” Julie asked.

Blaine leaned back and gave her a quick once-over. She was dressed casually in a puffy jacket and tight jeans—not exactly suitable for an upscale event.

“Julie, let me take you to get styled. The auction starts at 2:00 pm, so we’ve got time,” Blaine said decisively. He didn’t wait for Lucian’s input before dragging her out of the hospital ward. Though Julie had attended such events before, this one was shaping up to be the most formal.

Blaine whisked her off for a skincare treatment, helped her pick out a suitable gift, and arranged for her styling. By the time they were done, less than an hour remained before the auction. They returned to the hospital to pick up Lucian.

“Luce, check this out! Isn’t the styling amazing!” Blaine announced, grinning as he pushed Julie into the ward like he was showing off a treasure.

Julie felt embarrassed by his over-the-top antics and muttered, “Why is Blaine such a weirdo? He’s saying so much just to make an entrance.”

Instinctively, she glanced at Lucian. He wasn’t in bed anymore. Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit and crisp white shirt, he sat on the couch, looking as composed and sharp as someone out of a magazine. The dignified air about him made Julie pause. Hearing Blaine’s voice, Lucian looked up, his gaze landing on Julie.