Scarlett Hayes was the golden girl of her city’s most influential circles, known for her impeccable manners and pristine reputation. The most outrageous thing she’d ever done? Secretly dating her brother’s sworn enemy for three years. And, letting him record countless videos of them. Inside the Maybach, her clothes were disheveled, while he remained impeccably dressed. A phone rested nearby. “Julian…” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Can we… stop recording?” Julian Vance let out a low chuckle. He looked up, his dark eyes reflecting her face, a mix of indulgence and playful mischief in their depths. “What, shy now?” “Don’t worry, it won’t get out. I just like to watch them when I miss you, baby. Indulge me, hmm?” His pet name, “baby,” made Scarlett’s ears flush. She felt completely spellbound by his voice, unable to utter another word of refusal. After what felt like an eternity, the car stopped vibrating, and everything finally ended. Julian slowly fastened his belt, casting a glance at her before reaching out to ruffle her hair. “I have a party to attend soon. I’ll have the driver take you home first. I’ll come back to you later tonight, alright?” Scarlett nodded, her voice soft. “Okay.” After Julian got out, Scarlett slowly dressed, still feeling a bit dazed. She was about to call the driver to take her home when she suddenly noticed Julian’s card holder left on the seat. She quickly grabbed it, pushed open the car door, and hurried after him. After asking for the private room where Julian’s party was being held, she arrived at the door. The door was ajar. Scarlett was about to step in when she heard a burst of laughter from inside. “Julian, you guys were really going at it! When I came in, the whole Maybach was shaking. What do you think, if Rhys Carter found out his sister was that wild under Julian, would he be pissed enough to spit blood?” A shockwave hit Scarlett, her mind reeling, as if struck by lightning, freezing her in place. “Hahaha, Julian and Rhys have been rivals for years; that ‘Southbrook vs. Northwood’ feud isn’t just for show. Otherwise, Julian wouldn’t have orchestrated a classic damsel-in-distress scenario to ‘save’ Rhys’s sister and make her fall head over heels for him, all to get back at Rhys in a big way.” “They’ve been together for how many years now? They must have hundreds of those videos, right? When’s Julian going to release them? I’m dying to see what the good girl looks like when she sheds all that innocence. But of course, I’m even more desperate to see Rhys’s face when he sees it, hahahaha!” The men were in high spirits, completely oblivious to the woman standing outside the private room. Scarlett’s mind went completely blank, a deafening hum filling her ears. Their words echoed repeatedly in her mind, growing louder and louder, finally booming like thunder, threatening to shatter her skull. Julian… his initial rescue of her, was it all a deliberate setup? And dating her, was it just to spite her brother? “Julian, why are you so quiet? You only approached Scarlett to mess with Rhys and stop him from ever going against you again. You didn’t actually fall for his sister, did you?” “Fall for her?” The man who had just called her “baby” was now lounging in a high-backed chair, casually sipping his drink. A slow, mocking smile played on his lips. “Rhys is my sworn enemy. I only want to destroy him. I’m just thinking about the perfect time to release those videos. How about… on Scarlett’s birthday? I imagine seeing his perfect sister like that, Rhys’s expression will be priceless.” “You’re a legend, Julian!” The room erupted in excited, anticipating laughter. Scarlett’s fingers trembled, and she swayed, barely able to stand. Suddenly, a waiter’s voice came from beside her. “Miss, why aren’t you going in?” Scarlett finally snapped back to reality. In a panicked rush, she shoved the card holder at him. “I… I’m not going in. Please give this to Julian Vance. Just say you found it. Don’t tell him I was here.” With that, she turned and fled, tears streaming freely down her face in the wind, Julian’s cold words echoing endlessly in her ears— “Rhys Carter is my sworn enemy. I only want to destroy him.” Her heart felt as if an invisible hand had clamped down on it, squeezing so tightly she could barely breathe. So, their entire relationship, from the very beginning, had been his cruel design! Years ago, Scarlett had defied her brother’s objections to attend university in Northwood, drawn by its top-tier dance program. After graduation, she was determined to stay in Northwood, no matter how much her brother urged her to return to Southbrook. Her parents had doted on her since childhood, and her brother was notoriously overprotective. She wanted to forge her own path. Her whole world revolved around dance, until she met Julian Vance—the legendary rival of her brother. Rumor had it they’d been locked in a death match for years, relentlessly fighting over territories and projects, utterly incompatible. Yet, this very man had saved her twice. The first time, she’d been hit by a car. The driver fled, and no one else wanted to get involved, ignoring her cries for help as she lay in a pool of blood. It was Julian, driving by in his Maybach, who scooped her up, like a savior. The second time, she was drugged, on the verge of being assaulted. Again, it was him who saved her, carrying her away. That night, he became her antidote. She woke up the next morning to find him by the floor-to-ceiling window, casually buttoning his shirt. Hearing her stir, he turned, his captivating eyes instantly stealing her breath. He leaned down, slowly closing the distance between them. “I’ve wanted to ask since we first met, little lady, do you have a crush on me?” Her mind reeled. Staring at his shockingly handsome face, she stammered, unable to speak. He just smirked. “No? Then why do you blush every time you see me? And you secretly kissed me this morning. I remember, your medication had worn off, hadn’t it?” She was mortified and tried to run, but he pulled her back, his eyes dancing with amusement as he gently kissed her lips. After that day, they were together. Three years into their relationship, she’d believed they were deeply in love, fantasizing countless times about returning to Southbrook together to introduce him to her brother, certain her presence could help them bury the hatchet. Now, thinking back, she felt pitifully naive. She didn’t know how long she’d run, until the rain lashed down on her face, and her phone rang in her hand. It was her brother. She took a deep breath and answered. “Scarlett, I’ve opened the biggest dance studio in Southbrook for you. I’ve also found you a fiancé. Can you please break up with the one you’re seeing now, okay? You know, your parents and I can’t bear for you to marry far away. We just want you to stay in Southbrook, close to us…” Hearing his familiar voice, Scarlett’s tears finally burst forth. She fought back a sob, nodding. “I’m sorry, Rhys. I’ve worried you all these years. I’ll come back to Southbrook, and I’ll meet the fiancé you found for me.” On the other end, Rhys’s voice held a note of disbelief. “Scarlett, are you really willing to come back? And meet the person I introduce? What about the boyfriend you were so crazy about?” Scarlett’s voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t like him anymore. I never will again.” Rhys’s joy quickly turned to sharp suspicion. His tone instantly chilled. “Did he hurt you?” Scarlett’s mind flashed with the cutting conversations, the videos Julian had so casually mentioned, and his cold voice. She was in agony, but she had to stay composed. Rhys had always been fiercely protective of her. If he knew the truth, he would likely storm Northwood. She couldn’t let him worry anymore. These messy affairs, she had to handle herself. “No, Rhys.” She forced herself to calm down. “Once I take care of things here, I’ll be right back.” After a few more words of caution, her brother reluctantly hung up. Scarlett returned home. She went straight to the bathroom to wash away the day’s shame, then walked to the coffee table, pulled out a blank sheet of paper, and began to list things. Her pen wrote a few lines on the paper: * Throw things away. * Pack my bags. * Resign. * Say goodbye to friends. * Delete videos. These were all the things she needed to take care of before she left. Her gaze lingered on the last item for a long time, her fingertips trembling slightly. Thinking of the birthday plan she’d overheard at the club, she knew she had to leave before her birthday. With that thought, she picked up the calendar on the table and circled the date heavily with a red pen. “Did you deliberately mark it so I wouldn’t forget?” The villa door opened, and Julian’s voice suddenly came from behind her, laced with a lazy smile. Scarlett’s fingers stiffened, the pen leaving a long streak on the paper. She turned to see Julian leaning against the doorframe, a suit jacket slung over his arm, his shirt collar slightly open, revealing a glimpse of his collarbone. His gaze fell on the calendar in her hand, a slight smirk on his lips. “How could I forget my baby’s birthday? That day, I even have a big surprise planned for you.” Scarlett gripped the pen tightly, looking up to meet his eyes. She managed a thin smile. “I have a big surprise for you too.” Julian paused, then laughed softly. “Why would you prepare a surprise for me on your birthday?” He walked over to her, reaching out to ruffle her hair, his tone indulgent. “By the way, did you invite your brother for your birthday?” Scarlett’s heart gave a violent lurch, her fingers unconsciously clutching the edge of the table. She looked up, feigning calm. “Do you want me to?” Julian looked down at her, a complex expression flitting through his eyes. He smiled, his voice low. “Go ahead and invite him. It’ll be a good chance to bury the hatchet. We’ve been fighting for so many years, and I never wanted to give in, but who can resist when I’m so crazy about his precious sister? No shame in bending for love.” Scarlett’s throat felt constricted, unable to utter a single word. Julian leaned in to kiss her, but she turned her head slightly, murmuring, “I’m not feeling great today. Let’s not.” Julian’s movements paused for a moment, then he chuckled softly, kissing her forehead. “Alright, then get some rest.” He finished speaking and walked into the bathroom. Scarlett stood frozen, listening to the sound of water from the bathroom, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of the table. Her gaze fell on Julian’s phone, casually tossed on the sofa. Her heart pounded as if it wanted to burst from her chest. She quietly picked up the phone, tried a few passwords, but couldn’t unlock it. Her fingers trembled slightly, a wave of helplessness washing over her. Finally, she put the phone back in its place, forcing herself to calm down and figure out a solution later. The next morning, Julian woke up to find Scarlett packing. Around her feet were piles of their couple’s items: matching mugs, matching slippers, matching throw pillows… Julian frowned, walking over to her, a hint of confusion in his voice. “Why are you suddenly throwing all this away?” Scarlett didn’t look up, her voice flat. “I don’t like them anymore. I’ll buy new ones later.” Julian didn’t press further, just smiled. “Don’t bother with it. I’ll have the housekeeper sort it out for you later. Time’s almost up, should I drop you off at the dance troupe?” Scarlett shook her head. “No need, I’ve already called to resign.” Julian paused, his brow furrowing slightly. “Don’t you love dancing? Why the sudden resignation?” Scarlett looked up, her gaze calm. “I’m a bit tired. I want to rest for a while.” Julian was silent for a few seconds, then reached out and ruffled her hair. “Resigning is fine. Dancing is too strenuous, and besides…” His fingers gently traced her waist, his voice low and husky. “I don’t want anyone else to see my baby’s soft waist.” Scarlett flinched away from his hand, her tone cold. “You should go. You must be busy.” After Julian left, Scarlett spent most of the day finally throwing away all their couple’s items. Standing in the empty living room, her heart felt heavy, as if something was lodged in her throat, making it hard to breathe. Just then, her phone vibrated. She picked it up and saw an unfamiliar text message. “Meet me at Blue Mountain Café at 3 PM. I’m Julian Vance’s fiancée.” Scarlett’s fingers tightened around the phone, her knuckles turning white. Scarlett pushed open the café door, and a crisp chime rang out. Her gaze swept across the room, quickly settling on a woman seated in a corner. The woman wore a perfectly tailored Chanel suit, her makeup flawless, exuding an inherent air of superiority. Scarlett walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down, her face completely unreadable. “My name is Genevieve Thorne, and I’m Julian Vance’s fiancée,” Genevieve stated bluntly, a hint of challenge in her voice. Scarlett said nothing, merely observing her with eyes as calm as a still pool. Genevieve clearly hadn’t expected such a reaction, and she frowned. “You’re Julian’s girlfriend, and he suddenly has a fiancée. Don’t you have anything to ask?” Scarlett managed a faint smile, her heart utterly cold. Ask? What was there left to ask? Ever since she’d overheard those words at the club, she had completely given up on Julian. Nothing he did could surprise her anymore. Seeing her silence, Genevieve’s face darkened. She’d announced her identity, hoping to see Scarlett become hysterical and heartbroken, but this girl before her was like a block of ice, making it impossible to provoke her. She gritted her teeth, her voice turning sharp. “The Vance and Thorne families will be united in marriage soon, and Julian has agreed. Regardless of who you are, he’ll break up with you immediately. So I advise you to leave on your own terms. I can even offer you some money. Otherwise, you’ll only be humiliating yourself.” Scarlett looked up, her gaze calm. “When will your engagement be announced?” Genevieve paused, then smiled smugly. “Early next month. The exact date isn’t set, but it won’t be long.” Early next month, right after her birthday. It seemed Julian had it all planned: dump her with the videos on her birthday, then get engaged to the Thorne family. Julian Vance, you truly have no heart. Scarlett’s voice was flat. “Did you ever bother to investigate me? If you had, you’d know I’m not short on money. If you came here today to humiliate me, you’ve picked the wrong target.” Genevieve’s face instantly twisted into an ugly expression. Scarlett glanced at her and added, “And let me warn you, Julian Vance has no heart. He loves no one but himself. An arranged marriage for mutual benefit is fine, but if you fall in love, you’re doomed.” With that, she stood up to leave, but Genevieve suddenly rose, grabbing her wrist, her voice shrill. “How dare you talk about him like that?!” Before Scarlett could react, Genevieve snatched a cup of coffee from the table and aggressively splashed it onto her. The warm liquid ran down her hair and face, staining her clothes. Still not satisfied, Genevieve forcefully pushed Scarlett to the floor. Her back hit the table corner hard, and she fell to the ground, her head striking the floor. A wave of sharp pain shot through her, blurring her vision. She reached up to touch her forehead, her fingertips coming away stained with blood. Just then, the café door was violently flung open. “Genevieve Thorne, what the hell are you doing?!” A cold voice suddenly echoed from behind her, laced with suppressed fury. Scarlett looked up to see Julian striding towards her, several of his friends following behind. Dressed in a black trench coat, his face looked frighteningly grim. He shoved Genevieve aside, grabbed the other cup of coffee from the table, and unhesitatingly splashed it onto her. Then, he took off his coat and wrapped it around Scarlett, his voice trembling. “Scarlett, are you alright?” Genevieve stared at him in disbelief. “Julian, I’m your fiancée! You’re splashing me for *her*?!” Julian ignored her, just looking down at Scarlett, his voice impossibly gentle. “Shh, baby. You go wait in the car. I’ll handle this and be right there.” Scarlett said nothing, letting him help her to her feet, walking step by step towards the door. Her mind was a blank, her ears buzzing, until she sat in the car and slowly regained her senses. A short while later, Julian’s friends came out. One of them walked to the car and tapped on the window. “Scarlett, don’t misunderstand. This engagement is a family arrangement for Julian. He didn’t tell you because he wanted to handle it himself, but he never expected Genevieve to provoke you like this. He loves you so much; he would never be with anyone else.” Love? She found it laughable, but she kept her gaze lowered, showing no expression, just sitting quietly, like a lifeless statue. After a while, Julian emerged, and Genevieve ran off crying, her figure utterly defeated. Julian dismissed his friends, then got into the car, tenderly applying medicine to Scarlett’s wound. His movements were as gentle as if he were handling a fragile treasure, his voice low and husky. “Scarlett, the engagement is a family arrangement. I won’t marry her. I’ll make things clear with my family very soon. Don’t overthink it.” Scarlett said nothing, just looked straight ahead. “I know, Julian. Just drive.” Julian glanced at her, on the verge of speaking, but ultimately started the car. The atmosphere in the car was suffocating. Scarlett closed her eyes, her mind a mess. Suddenly, the screech of tires pierced the air. Scarlett’s eyes flew open, only to see a truck hurtling towards them. Her pupils sharply contracted. The next second, Julian lunged, pulling her tightly into his embrace. “CRASH—” A deafening impact, and the world spun. Scarlett passed out in a pool of blood. **截断点** When she woke up again, she was lying in a hospital bed, the harsh fluorescent lights above stinging her eyes. Julian sat by her bedside, his face pale, his eyes filled with wild joy. “Scarlett, you’re finally awake. You scared me half to death.” Scarlett moved her lips, her voice hoarse. “How badly are you hurt?” Julian gently ruffled her hair, his tone light. “Just a broken bone. Nothing serious. I didn’t protect you well enough.” He quickly stood up. “You stay put. I’ll go get the doctor to check on you.” After he left, Scarlett’s phone suddenly vibrated. She picked it up and realized it was a video sent by Genevieve. The footage showed the scene in the café shortly after Julian left. Inside the café, a group of Julian’s friends were explaining in a flurry of voices: “Miss Thorne, how many times do we have to tell you before you believe it? Julian being with Scarlett was all planned. Pretending to love her was just an act, all to get revenge on Rhys Carter, his sworn enemy. Now that the Vance and Thorne families have agreed on the engagement, he’ll definitely marry you. When has he ever gone back on his word in business? So please, stop trying to mess things up, for goodness sake.” Genevieve, however, only looked at Julian, her voice trembling. “Julian, are they telling the truth? You really don’t like Scarlett at all? It was all just revenge?” His friends quickly chimed in. “Of course! How could he ever fall for his archenemy’s sister? That’s not Julian’s style at all. If he really fell for her, then it wouldn’t be Julian humiliating Rhys, it would be Rhys trampling Julian under his foot. Holy crap, I can’t even imagine that scene.” “I just want Julian to tell me!” Genevieve’s eyes were red as she stared at Julian. “Julian, you tell me.” Julian’s expression was complex, his gaze fixed in the direction where Scarlett’s car had been. Finally, he nodded. Genevieve finally threw herself into his arms, her voice choked with tears. “But I still feel insecure. We’re getting married soon, and you’re still putting on a show with another woman. How about this: later, you pretend the brakes fail and steer the car towards the passenger seat, making Scarlett crash. Then I’ll believe you, okay?” Julian was silent for a moment, then murmured, “Okay.” The video ended there. Scarlett’s fingers trembled, and the phone clattered to the floor. So, even this car accident was part of his plan. She closed her eyes, a complex mix of sorrow, despair, and hurt swirling in her chest, a suffocating ache. She couldn’t understand what Julian wanted, how he would ever be satisfied. She remembered when the crash happened, he had indeed swerved towards the passenger side. But at the very last second, he had turned and shielded her. She didn’t understand what he was thinking. If he was so determined for revenge, wouldn’t he be happier if she was hurt more badly? Why bother to shield her, only to break his own rib? A thought flickered in her mind, but she refused to pursue it. Julian Vance. I hope it’s true, as you said, that you feel nothing for me, and it was only revenge. Otherwise, if there was even a shred of genuine feeling, you would suffer terribly. For the next few days, Julian stayed by her side, taking care of her. Despite breaking a rib and the doctor advising rest, he stubbornly remained with her, never leaving her side. One moment he’d be feeding her porridge and tucking her in, the next he’d be peeling fruit and telling her stories. Anyone looking on would think he was madly in love with her. But Scarlett felt no joy. She knew it was all a pretense. His tenderness, his concern—it was nothing more than a carefully orchestrated deception. On the day she was discharged, Julian noticed her low spirits. To cheer her up, he took her to a new nightclub owned by one of his friends. Inside the VIP room, the lights were dim, and the music was deafening. Julian was exceptionally attentive, and his friends gathered around her, showering her with concern. But Scarlett felt utterly uneasy, a sense of impending doom hanging over her. Then, the VIP room door opened, and Genevieve Thorne walked in. Everyone’s faces instantly soured. Just as Julian looked like he was about to explode, his friends quickly stepped forward, whispering to Genevieve, “Didn’t we already make it clear? You told Julian to fake a car accident to hurt Scarlett, and he did it. What are you doing causing trouble again?” Genevieve smiled, her voice light as a feather. “Don’t worry, I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m here to join your plan this time. After all, Julian will be marrying me soon. If he wants to deal with someone, I should help stoke the fires.” She leaned in and whispered something into one of the friends’ ears. Their eyes lit up, and knowing smiles spread across their faces. Scarlett desperately wanted to hear what they were saying, but the music was too loud; she couldn’t catch a single word. After speaking, Genevieve walked straight up to her, a fake smile plastered on her face. “Miss Hayes, I was wrong about what happened before. Julian has already chastised me. He truly hasn’t agreed to the engagement. He loves you too much, which is why he refuses to marry anyone else.” Scarlett frowned, a sense of foreboding washing over her. She didn’t understand why the usually arrogant Genevieve had suddenly capitulated or why she was saying these things. But her gut told her that something was seriously wrong. Julian’s face also looked strained, his gaze flickering between Genevieve and Scarlett. Genevieve, however, completely dropped her aggressive stance. She suddenly pulled a set of keys from her bag and handed them to Scarlett. “Miss Hayes, this is a villa I just bought, right in the city center. It’s for you, as an apology for what happened last time.” Scarlett didn’t take them, her voice cold. “No need. I won’t be living in Northwood.” Julian’s face instantly changed color when he heard that. He grabbed Scarlett’s hand. The man who was always so confident and in control now spoke with a tremor of uncontrolled panic in his deep voice. “Scarlett, what do you mean by that? I’m in Northwood. You’ll definitely marry me someday. Where else would you go if not to stay with me here?” Scarlett looked at him calmly. Of course, she wanted to return to Southbrook, marry the man she was supposed to, and be with the people she was meant to be with. But she didn’t say it directly, merely dismissing it. “I just said it casually. Don’t overthink it. It’s just that, well, no one can really say what the future holds.” “With me around, what could be uncertain?” Julian clearly didn’t believe her and wanted to ask more, but Genevieve interjected. “Miss Hayes, I hear you’re a dancer. Don’t just sit there. Go out and dance.” Scarlett shook her head. “No, thank you. I don’t feel like dancing.” Genevieve was insistent. “Don’t worry, Miss Hayes, I’ve booked the whole place. There’s no one else on the dance floor right now. We’ll dance with you.” Julian’s face darkened. He clearly didn’t want Scarlett to go and still wanted her to clarify her earlier statement. But then, his friends began to persuade him. “Julian, let Scarlett dance. We’d love to see her moves too.” One of them then leaned in and whispered something in Julian’s ear. Julian’s face instantly turned grim, but after a few seconds of apparent hesitation, he finally nodded. As Genevieve pulled her towards the dance floor, Scarlett felt a growing sense of unease. She suspected they were concocting some plan and just wanted to finish dancing and leave quickly. But just as she and Genevieve reached the dance floor, Genevieve suddenly twisted her ankle and fell to the ground. She clutched her ankle, crying hysterically. “Julian, my foot hurts so much! Please take me to the hospital!” Julian frowned, clearly annoyed, but Genevieve tugged at his sleeve, her voice tearful. “We’re old family friends, you can’t just abandon me, can you?” Julian eventually caved. He turned to Scarlett and said, “Scarlett, I’ll take her to the hospital. You stay here and enjoy yourself for a bit. If you get bored, just head home. The driver’s waiting outside for you.” Scarlett nodded, feeling even more uneasy. After Julian left, she was about to go when his friends stopped her, saying it was a rare outing and not to be a spoilsport. She was practically surrounded, unable to leave, forced to sit and listen to the music from the dance floor. His friends sat with her for a while, then suddenly said, “Scarlett, we’re going to step out and make a call. We’ll be right back.” Scarlett’s heart tightened; she felt something was seriously wrong. Once his friends had all left, and the dance floor was completely empty, she immediately grabbed her bag, intending to leave. But just then, the VIP room door was violently pushed open. However, it wasn’t Julian’s friends who entered, but a group of ragged, disheveled men. As soon as they came in, their eyes locked onto Scarlett, and they let out lewd laughter. “Hahaha, this chick is so tender! Boys, we’re in for a treat today!” Scarlett’s face contorted in terror, and she stumbled back a few steps. But the men swarmed her like hungry wolves. She struggled desperately, but what was her strength against several men? Her clothes were torn, her screams drowned out by the pounding music. “Get away! Don’t touch me!” Scarlett’s voice trembled, tears streaming from her eyes. She kicked and fought with all her might, but the men seemed insane, grabbing her wrists and pinning her to the ground. Her clothes were ripped, her skin exposed to the cold air. A wave of nausea washed over her, her stomach churning, threatening to empty itself. “Help! Is anyone there! Help me!” “Help me!” She cried out in despair, but no one responded. Her vision blurred, and all she could hear were their leering laughs and heavy breathing. Just as she was on the verge of giving up hope, the VIP room door was kicked open. Julian burst in like a demon from hell, his eyes filled with savage fury. He grabbed one of the men by the collar and slammed his fist into his face. The man shrieked and collapsed to the floor. Julian didn’t stop. His fists rained down on the men until they were all sprawled on the ground, groaning. Scarlett trembled uncontrollably, her vision went black, and she fainted. When she woke again, she found herself in the villa bed. A chilling wail echoed from the living room. She struggled out of bed, opening the door a crack, just in time to see Julian standing in the center of the living room, the men from the club sprawled at his feet. Julian held a knife, his voice as cold as ice. “Which hand touched her?” The men trembled in fear, unable to speak. Julian sneered. “Then it must have been both hands.” With that, his hand moved, and the knife plunged fiercely into one of the man’s palms. The man screamed, and blood instantly stained the floor. The remaining men were terrified, shouting, “It was the left hand! No, the right hand!” Julian, however, didn’t hesitate. One swift strike for each, disabling their hands. His friends stood by, looking at him with complex expressions. “Julian, is this really necessary? You agreed to Genevieve’s plan in the first place, didn’t you?” “Yeah, Genevieve faked twisting her ankle so you’d have a legitimate reason to take her to the hospital. Then we’d make an excuse to leave, and a bunch of men would come in and force themselves on Scarlett, who would be alone in the club. No one would hear her cries. Rhys would be devastated to learn his beloved sister was attacked by strangers. Why did you suddenly go back on the plan, rush back like a madman, and nearly beat those guys to death? It’s been years since you’ve been this bloodthirsty. You’re insane.” Hearing this, Scarlett felt her legs give out, almost collapsing. She never imagined that even those men were part of their plan. No wonder Genevieve had whispered to his friends, and his friends had whispered to Julian… Julian said nothing, just coldly watched the men being dragged away. His friends exchanged glances, their faces growing even more troubled. Finally, someone couldn’t help but ask, “Julian, you haven’t actually fallen for Scarlett, have you? If you’ve forgotten, let me remind you: she’s your archenemy’s sister! You and Rhys have been fighting for how many years? If you really fell for his sister, you’d be…” Julian’s face instantly darkened. He violently kicked over the coffee table, his voice laced with suppressed fury. “I don’t love her! If I loved Rhys Carter’s sister, I’d cut off my head and let him kick it like a football! Is that good enough? Get out, all of you! Don’t you dare bother me for the next few days!” After chasing everyone out, Julian stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, lighting a cigarette. Through the swirling smoke, his expression looked particularly grim. He took a deep drag, the smoke swirling in his lungs before being slowly exhaled. His mind was a mess, constantly replaying the image of Scarlett being attacked by those men. Her despair, her pain, pierced his heart like a knife. He couldn’t understand his feelings for Scarlett. He’d only approached her in the beginning to get revenge on Rhys. But why did seeing her treated that way make him so furious, so desperate to kill? She shouldn’t have looked like that. Every time she lay beneath him, she was so soft and sweet, her eyes filled with love, like a gentle kitten. But that day, her eyes held only terror and despair. He dared not dwell on it, feeling a tightness in his chest. Halfway through the cigarette, he suddenly remembered Scarlett disliked the smell of smoke. He frowned, stubbing it out in the ashtray. He turned and walked towards the bedroom, his footsteps light, afraid to wake her. Scarlett heard his approaching steps and quickly closed her eyes, holding back tears, pretending to be asleep. Her heart pounded, and her fingers gripped the bedsheet tightly, terrified he would discover she was faking. Julian stood by the bed, looked down at her for a moment, gently stroked her head, then turned and left the room. For the next few days, Julian didn’t go to the office. He spent almost every waking moment tending to Scarlett. He lavished her with expensive jewelry, brought her a fresh bouquet of flowers every morning, and even cooked for her himself. Scarlett looked at the pile of gifts on the table, yet felt no joy. She knew he was trying to cheer her up, but her heart was already as cold as ice. No one mentioned what had happened that night, but everyone knew Scarlett was unhappy. Her smiles became rarer, her eyes growing increasingly blank. Julian finally couldn’t take it anymore. After dinner one evening, he pulled her into his arms, his voice husky. “Baby, I messed up. I didn’t protect you. Can we just forget that day, please? I’ll do anything you want.” Scarlett looked up into his deep eyes and quietly asked, “Anything?” Julian nodded. “Anything.” Scarlett was silent for a moment, then finally spoke. “I want to know your phone password.” Julian paused, then laughed. “That’s it?” He rattled off a string of numbers, and Scarlett froze. It was her birthday. “Why did you set my birthday as your password?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. Julian leaned down and kissed her forehead, his tone gentle. “Because I love you, baby.” Scarlett was stunned. She didn’t know if his words were true or false, but regardless, she wouldn’t believe them anymore. Julian handed her his phone, smiling. “Want the password to check my phone? I’m an open book, baby. Anytime, anywhere, feel free to check.” Scarlett took the phone, and a faint smile finally touched her lips. Julian sighed in relief, holding her tight. “Finally, a smile.” His voice was tender. “Your birthday is in a couple of days. I’m planning a huge birthday party for you. So I won’t be able to be with you all the time these next few days. Will you be okay at home by yourself?” Scarlett nodded, then paused and asked, “Should I invite my brother?” Julian was silent for a long time. So long, Scarlett thought he wouldn’t answer, but then he murmured, “Go ahead and invite him.” Scarlett smiled, though tears welled in her eyes. “Okay.” Next, Julian busied himself with party preparations, while Scarlett began to pack her bags. She organized all her belongings, then bid farewell to her friends one by one. The day before her birthday party, Julian returned. He held her, wanting to kiss her, but she gently pushed him away, citing her period. Julian didn’t insist, but he left a string of possessive kiss marks on her neck, whispering, “This way, everyone will know you’re mine.” Scarlett said nothing, silently enduring his kisses. In the middle of the night, Julian was asleep. She quietly picked up his phone. The first thing she saw was his SnapChat group with his friends. In the group, his friends were discussing tomorrow’s plan. “Julian, tomorrow’s Scarlett’s birthday. Didn’t you say you were going to release her videos then? Why haven’t you sent them yet?” “Yeah, Julian, send them already!” “Julian, didn’t you see the messages? We’ve been reminding you since this morning, and it’s night now!” Scarlett’s fingers trembled. She exited the group chat, found the hidden folder, and one by one, deleted all the videos. The moment everything was deleted, and the recycle bin completely emptied, she finally felt a sense of relief. The next morning, she carried her luggage, ready to leave. Julian, however, happened to wake up. Seeing her standing by the door, he was momentarily disoriented. “Baby, where are you going?” “To pick up Rhys,” Scarlett said calmly. Julian glanced at her luggage, seemingly confused. “Just picking someone up? Why the luggage?” “These are just some dance outfits. I want my brother to take them back for me.” Now, perhaps having learned from Julian, she lied with ease. It worked. Julian didn’t ask further. He simply got out of bed and hugged her. “Wait for me. I’ll go with you.” Scarlett shook her head. “Let’s announce our relationship at the birthday party. Otherwise, I’m worried Rhys might not accept it. You go to the party first.” Julian thought about it and seemed to agree that it was too rushed. He ruffled her hair and smiled, nodding. “Alright, then come early. I’ll be waiting for you at the party.” After showering, he drove straight to the birthday party. Scarlett watched his car drive away, then hailed a cab and went to the airport. Check-in, baggage drop, boarding—everything happened swiftly. Once on the plane, Scarlett finally opened Julian’s chat window. She had thought of so many things to say in her final message to him. She wanted to tell him she’d heard everything at the club that day. She wanted to confront him, to ask why he had done this to her. But now, at the moment of truth, she only typed out a single, short sentence. **[Julian Vance, let’s break up. I don’t love you anymore.]** After sending it, the plane slowly took off. She gazed at the white clouds outside the window, blocked all his contacts, and powered off her phone. Never again. Northwood, and Julian Vance. Julian’s car slowly pulled up to the banquet hall entrance. The moment the door opened, he took one step out and was immediately surrounded by his friends. They crowded around him, chattering excitedly, their faces alight with anticipation, as if waiting for a show to begin. “Julian, where are the videos? Didn’t you say you were releasing them today?” someone eagerly asked, their eyes glinting with gossip. Julian frowned slightly. He unhurriedly pulled his phone from his pocket. Under their hungry, expectant gazes, the faint glow of the screen flickered in his hand. However, just as everyone thought he was about to unlock it, he suddenly put the phone back in his pocket and said indifferently, “I’m not releasing them.” Those simple words were like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand ripples. Everyone’s eyes widened, their faces etched with disbelief. “Not releasing them?!” they exclaimed in unison, incredulity plastered across their faces. Someone couldn’t help but press. “Julian, what do you mean? Didn’t you promise Rhys a ‘big present’ today?” “Yeah, you’ve been planning this for so long! Why suddenly change your mind? Julian, you’re not messing with us, are you?!” Julian’s eyes turned cold, his voice tinged with impatience. “It means nothing. It’s just not the right time yet. The more videos I have, the deeper Rhys’s pain will be. What’s the rush?” His friends exchanged bewildered glances, clearly surprised by his answer. Someone muttered under their breath, “They’ve been playing this game for three years, isn’t that enough? Julian, you’ve been acting really strange lately.” Another friend outright asked, “Julian, tell me honestly, are you…” “No!” Julian abruptly cut him off, his voice as cold as ice. His gaze was sharp, sweeping over everyone present. “Those videos are hers and mine. I’ll release them whenever I damn well please. You’re good friends for worrying about me, but don’t cross the line.” The atmosphere instantly became awkward. His friends quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, their voices coaxing. “Julian, we didn’t mean it like that, don’t be angry.” Someone clapped him on the shoulder. “Right, right, we just asked casually. Don’t take it to heart.” Julian said nothing more, turning to walk into the banquet hall to inspect the decorations. His gaze swept over every detail, his frown deepening. He pointed at a flower arrangement on a table, his voice low and firm, carrying an undeniable authority. “These flowers won’t do. Change them. She doesn’t like pink; she likes blue. Go buy new ones immediately.” Then he pointed at the carpet. “This carpet too. The color’s too dark. Get a lighter one.” “And why is it so empty here? Put up balloons!” “Pile the gifts here! Didn’t I buy a mountain of presents?!” The waiters and event planners were sent scurrying by his commands, while his friends stood by, utterly dumbfounded. Someone whispered, “What’s gotten into Julian? He’s never cared this much before. Is this still the reckless, devil-may-care Julian we knew?” “Yeah, I really don’t know what he’s thinking. Wasn’t Scarlett just a tool for him? Why go to all this trouble for a birthday party? Just throw a simple one and be done with it!” Another friend shook his head. “Something’s off. Really off.” Julian seemed not to hear their murmuring. He pulled out an exquisite box from his inner pocket and gently opened it. A dazzling necklace appeared before everyone’s eyes. He looked up and asked the person beside him. “Do you think she’ll like this necklace?” Someone leaned in for a closer look and gasped. “Holy crap! Isn’t that the one Princess Diana wore? It’s worth hundreds of millions! Julian, you’re really going to give that to Scarlett? That’s going all out!” Julian’s expression was a little unnatural, but his tone remained cold. “Only this way can she love me even more deeply.” His friends breathed a sigh of relief. Someone laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “So Julian’s playing the long game, huh? As expected of Julian, so meticulous!” Julian didn’t respond, just carefully put the box away. His gaze swept over every corner of the banquet hall, as if ensuring everything was perfect. His expression was so focused it felt unfamiliar, as if this party was more than just a tool for revenge to him. Soon, guests began to arrive. Most were prominent figures from the city’s influential circles. Seeing Julian, they all smiled and came forward to greet him. “Mr. Vance, throwing such a grand birthday party for your girlfriend! That’s quite the gesture!” someone teased, laughing. “When’s the wedding? We’re all waiting for the wedding banquet!” Julian offered a slight smile, his tone composed. “Soon. Once she says yes, I’ll marry her.” The guests laughed, praising his devotion. His friends stood nearby, listening to his answers, their expressions growing increasingly complex. Someone murmured, “Julian’s acting is too good. I almost believe it.” Another shook his head repeatedly. “Something’s wrong, really wrong. Julian has never been this serious before.” The banquet officially began. The lights were dazzling, the music melodious. But Scarlett still hadn’t appeared. Julian stood in the center of the banquet hall, his gaze constantly sweeping towards the entrance, his frown deepening. He pulled out his phone, about to make a call. Suddenly, the main doors were pushed open. The moment the banquet hall doors swung open, a flicker of joy crossed Julian’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by icy coldness. Because it wasn’t Scarlett who walked in, but Genevieve Thorne. She wore a luxurious gown, her makeup exquisite, but it couldn’t hide the hurt and anger on her face. Her gaze fixed directly on Julian, and she walked purposefully towards him. Julian’s face instantly darkened, his voice as cold as ice. “What are you doing here? Who let you in? I didn’t send you an invitation.” Genevieve bit her lip, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m your fiancée. You’re throwing a birthday party for another woman, and I’m not allowed to come?” Julian’s eyes were sharp, his tone filled with warning. “Genevieve, don’t cause a scene here.” Genevieve, however, seemed to ignore his words. Her gaze swept over every corner of the banquet hall, her voice growing louder. “Look at this banquet hall! These flowers are Juliet roses, the most expensive variety in the world! You’ve laid out so many; that must be over twenty million! And this carpet underfoot, it’s a hand-woven Persian rug, right? One of those costs ten million! Look at these chandeliers, these oil paintings! You’ve spent hundreds of millions just on this banquet! Not to mention all the priceless gifts you’ve prepared!” Her voice was laced with resentment and fury, as if she was unleashing all her suppressed emotions. Julian’s face grew increasingly grim, and the surrounding guests began to whisper, the scene becoming awkward. Seeing this, his friends quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. Someone grabbed Genevieve’s arm, whispering, “Miss Thorne, didn’t we already explain everything? Julian is with Scarlett only because she’s Rhys Carter’s sister. You know Rhys, right? Julian’s biggest rival, they’ve been fighting for years. He’s using Scarlett to get revenge on Rhys, and once he’s done, he’ll dump her. Don’t mess things up. What if Scarlett senses something’s off? She’ll be here soon, you need to leave!” Another person chimed in, his voice coaxing. “That’s right, Miss Thorne, please go back. Julian will explain everything to you after he deals with things here.” Genevieve, however, shook off their hands, her voice shrill. “Why should I? I’m his fiancée, yet I have to hide in the shadows, while she, a mere tool, gets to be showered with affection? It’s not fair! Julian Vance, I want you to tell me yourself: are you really just using Scarlett Hayes?” Her gaze was fixed directly on Julian, as if trying to see through his eyes into his very soul. Julian remained silent, his eyes as cold as ice, as if her questioning had nothing to do with him. His friends grew anxious. Someone nudged Julian. “Julian, say something! Don’t let this get out of hand!” “Just say you don’t like her, and this goddess will leave. Say it now!” “Julian, you’ve said it before, say it again, one more time!”
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