Chapter 96

Lucian hummed in response to Julie, focused on driving. Julie deftly pressed the button to accept the call and thoughtfully put it on speaker. However, before either could speak, Blaine’s urgent voice filled the car. “Hurry over, Luce. Everyone’s waiting for you!”

Julie paused momentarily before glancing subconsciously at Lucian.

“Got it,” Lucian replied indifferently.

“Can you come over within half an hour?” Blaine asked.

Lucian frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“We have a surprise for you,” Blaine said casually. “So, we’d like you to hurry over within half an hour.”

“I can’t guarantee I’ll make it,” Lucian said.

Blaine was speechless. He wanted to question Lucian further, but Lucian spoke again. “I’m going to send Julie home first.”

This was the first time Julie had heard Lucian call her that. As far as she was aware, he had always called her Juju or Little Miss Somers, making her feel like a child.

“Well, bring her over!” Blaine exclaimed excitedly. “Hurry up, stop hiding her away.”

Julie frantically waved her hands at Lucian. “If you guys are having a get-together, you can stop the car by the roadside and I’ll take a taxi home.” Blaine smiled. “What are you talking about? I haven’t seen you in ages! Come over and join us.”

Julie subconsciously turned to Lucian, only to hear him ask quietly, “Do you feel like going?”

Julie lowered her gaze, deep in thought. She was in a dilemma. These were all Lucian’s friends, and she didn’t know any of them. Would it not be incredibly awkward for her to suddenly show up?

Just as she was debating, Lucian’s voice reached her. “I’ll take you there to have fun and relax a little. Once you’ve had your fill of fun, I’ll send you home.”

Julie asked hesitantly, “Wouldn’t it be strange for me to join all of you?”

“What’s so strange about it?” Lucian asked nonchalantly.

“They’re all your friends, and I don’t know any of them,” she explained.

Lucian smiled faintly and stated firmly, “There’s no need to worry about that. I’m the only person you need to know.”

Julie was stunned. For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond. Before she could refuse, Lucian had already turned at the traffic light, heading for a new destination.

Ten or so minutes later, Lucian’s car stopped outside a clubhouse. After unbuckling his seatbelt, he glanced at Julie. He smiled helplessly at the sight of her still seeming dazed in the passenger seat. He reached out to pinch her cheek gently, saying with a smile, “Don’t be nervous. Just eat and drink as you need to. You don’t have to worry about anything else.” Julie covered her cheek, glaring resentfully at Lucian. “You pinched me.”

Lucian smiled faintly, a hint of affection in his eyes. He reached over to unbuckle Julie’s seatbelt before saying softly, “My bad. Come on, get down. Don’t be nervous. My friends won’t—”

Julie snorted angrily. “I’m not nervous!”

In truth, she had been rather nervous at first, but Lucian’s teasing had dispelled most of it. Without waiting for Lucian’s response, she opened the car door and got out.