Around them, whispers and discussions about Zayn began to spread.

Chapter 36

“Are you out of your mind? Fifty million dollars for a 20-year-old villa?” “The Peyton family’s youngest son just took over the company.” “Okay. Guess he’s still too young.”

The mocking voices around left Julie speechless. She couldn’t help but…

Meanwhile, Lucian, the center of attention, ended up purchasing an antique painting and calligraphy piece worth so many dollars.

Once the auction ended, the banquet began.

Julie wasn’t a fan of these events, so she made up an excuse to slip away to the restroom.

As she stepped out, she wondered if she should message Lucian when suddenly, someone grabbed her and pulled her into the stairwell. She jumped, startled, and froze when she saw who it was.

What was this madman up to now?

He reeked of alcohol and was clearly drunk. His intense stare made her feel uneasy.

Instinctively, she took a step toward the door.

But before she could move farther, Zayn closed the gap between them. His eyes were locked on hers. “Are you with Elaine now?”

Zayn had misunderstood. But she couldn’t bring herself to explain. If he wanted to think that, so be it. It didn’t matter.

“Who I’m with is none of your business.”

Zayn tugged at his tie in frustration. “I told you, I haven’t been happy since you left. I miss you.”

Zayn got straight to the point. “Come back to me and I’ll transfer Bowood Gardens to your name.”

“And then what? You’re gonna keep me at Rosewood Gardens as your mistress?”

A flicker of frustration crossed Zayn’s eyes, and he felt like she had seen through him. He grabbed her wrist roughly.

“Wasn’t it better the way things were before? Why can’t you just treat me like you used to?”

Julie shook her head slowly. “No, Zayn. Things between us will never be the same.”

Zayn had always been treated like royalty. Everyone had indulged him since childhood. He couldn’t stand things like chasing someone or acting like a fool. So when he saw Julie distancing herself like this, anger flared up uncontrollably.

Without another word, he pushed her against the wall and kissed her—a gesture that felt more possessive than passionate. It was repulsive.

Julie suppressed her anger and shoved him away.

“Zayn, don’t make me hate you.”

He sneered. “Julie, do you think you’ve found a new backer just because you have Mr. Chandler now? Does he know how you’ve acted like a lapdog for me all these years? I’d get a little hurt, and you’d cry for days, feeling sorry for me. I’d get drunk, and you’d stay up all night taking care of me.”

“Does Mr. Chandler know this? Or are you planning to do the same for him and be his lapdog? Stop dreaming. You can’t escape me. You’ll always be my lapdog.”

Julie’s lips trembled with fury, and she slapped him across the face without hesitation.

“Zayn, you jerk!”

Zayn licked the blood from his split lip and suddenly laughed as if he had won.

“Julie, you never used to hit me. When I was even a little hurt, you’d be heartbroken. Now, you’re even slapping me. I’m so hurt.”

Julie shook her numb hand, still feeling the sting from the slap. Her palm burned with heat and trembled uncontrollably. She clenched her other hand around the stinging one, trying to calm herself. When she looked up at him, her gaze was cold.

Her words were deliberate, sharp. “Get lost. I never want to see you again.”

She had once thought Zayn was just a little temperamental and arrogant, but deep down, he was a good person. Now, she could see how wrong she had been.

Suddenly, Zayn grabbed her chin, pulling her closer. Like a dog, he buried his face in her neck. He seemed almost desperate, as if trying to fill the emptiness inside him.

Julie struggled, trying to push him away. However, his grip on her chin was too strong as he held her in place.

“Zayn, you lunatic! Let me go!”