Magnus had always been a gentleman of the finest order, never one to belittle women, nor to utter cold, harsh words. Today, however, when he blurted out that Genevieve was despicable, it was clear he was truly disheartened and at a loss for words with her. Genevieve, tears in her eyes, shook her head repeatedly, “It’s not like that, you’ve misunderstood.”
Had this happened before today, Magnus might have felt pity upon seeing her drenched and disheveled. But having seen Genevieve in Paul’s embrace, he felt as sick as if he had swallowed a dead fly. Genevieve had just been thrown out of the Montgomery family when Paul showed up; who knows how many times they had met in secret over the years besides the instance Magnus had witnessed?
“Stay away from me, Genevieve. From now on, you’re on your own,” Magnus said coldly, glancing at her.
“No, don’t go, you coming here means you still care about me, why won’t you listen to my side?” Genevieve pleaded desperately, clinging to the car window.
“I don’t want to hear a word. Let go,” Magnus said icily.
“I won’t let go, I won’t,” she protested. Magnus pried her fingers off the car door one by one, rolled up the window without a backward glance, and drove away. Genevieve fell into a puddle just as she had before, thinking to herself that Magnus must still care about her since he had come; surely, it was another misunderstanding with Paul.
“Don’t leave, listen to my explanation,” she cried out, watching his car disappear, tears streaming down her cheeks. Paul stood behind her, “He’s gone.”
“It’s you, it’s all your fault I ended up like this, are you satisfied now?” Genevieve blamed Paul for everything. If it hadn’t been for his outrageous demands back then, Magnus wouldn’t have found out, and she wouldn’t be in this mess.
“So what if it is me? Genevieve, the things you did back then were far worse than anything I did. I came to pick you up out of kindness, but it seems you don’t need my help. I’ll leave you to continue chasing your dreams of grandeur,” Paul stated. Though he still had feelings for her, he was no longer the man who sank into despair over emotional wounds.
“If you leave, I’ll truly be alone,” Genevieve murmured as he turned to go. Hearing this, Paul sighed softly, turned back, and picked her up. Her eyes were red from crying. Paul had an apartment on Riverwalk Street that had been empty for a while; he temporarily settled Genevieve there.
After taking a shower, Genevieve came out to find Paul still there, and eyed him warily, “What are you still doing here?”
“Relax, if I wanted a woman, I could easily have my pick. I wouldn’t force anything just for an old flame like you,” Paul’s words cut deep. Genevieve, always sensitive about her age and who had taken great care of her skin over the years, couldn’t stand hearing it; she threw a sofa cushion at him.
“Don’t forget you’re in my house. Over the years, your temper has only gotten worse,” he observed. A woman’s worsening temper often proved that a man had treated her too well. Thinking of this, Genevieve felt deeply saddened, realizing she might never meet another man like Magnus who treated her well. She had no heart to argue with Paul and went straight to her room to sleep, but seeing the woman on the bed softened Paul’s heart somewhat.
The night was destined to be restless. After dropping Aurora off at the Montgomery family home, Julian did not head back. In a private room of a well-known cafe, he lounged lazily on the sofa, his gaze drifting out the window, with Rocky standing by his side.
Occasionally glancing at his wristwatch, Rocky spoke, “Sir, it’s almost time for the meeting. Do you think he will come?”
“He will definitely come,” Julian replied calmly.
“Sir, if I may speak freely, the contract you drafted seems disadvantageous to us. You never engage in unprofitable deals, so why this time…”
Rocky had followed Julian for many years, knowing he always turned every dollar invested into several more.
Julian had always prided himself on his business acumen, but today’s actions broke from his usual habits, especially considering the person he was meeting.
Julian did not respond to the question, instead continuing to look out the window. Without Aurora by his side, he felt incredibly irritable.
They had only been apart for a short while, yet he felt depressed, wishing she was always near, enveloping him with her gentle scent.
He cherished the moments when they watched movies together, with her curled up in his embrace like a docile rabbit.
Julian dialed Aurora’s number. As she answered, her tender voice came through, “Julian, are you home yet?”
Hearing her seemingly joyful tone, Julian also felt delighted, a smile forming on his lips, “Not yet, I’m meeting with someone. Why so cheerful?”
“My dad just kicked Genevieve out of the house, for real this time. She’s packing her things now,” Aurora’s voice was noticeably more joyful than usual.
“Really? No wonder you’re so happy. You’ll be even happier once the paternity test results come back.”
“Of course, I’ll stage a grand drama to have them thrown out like dogs without a home.”
“You’re not even asking who I’m meeting with, whether it’s a man or a woman. Aren’t you worried?” Julian teased.
“That’s because I trust you. What does it matter if it’s a man or a woman? You must have serious reasons for meeting someone. I trust you wouldn’t betray me,” Aurora’s trust in Julian was unwavering.
“Mm, it’s starting to rain. It’s cold tonight, remember to cover up well. I’m not there to tuck you in,” Julian’s gentle voice softened Aurora’s heart.
“I know. Don’t stay out too late; it looks like it’s going to pour.”
“Alright.”
“Sir, he’s here,” Rocky interrupted.
Reluctantly, Julian ended the call, “Little Bunny, I have to go now. Don’t stay up late, good night.”
“Mm,” Aurora hung up.
Julian had a habit of waiting for her to hang up first, watching until the screen confirmed the call had ended. The door to the private room then opened.
A man in a dark purple suit entered, removing his glasses, his demeanor turning sinister and captivating-it was Eric, the man Aurora loathed the most.
Following him was Jason, playing the role akin to Rocky’s, with Eric’s entire aura having shifted.
He walked straight toward Julian, “Mr. Barnet, it’s quite strange that you would initiate a meeting with me.”