5 0 @ O Before I could speak , Julian's voice chimed in , " Aria , should I show you around your new school first ? " His expression was innocent , as if he were just genuinely helpful . Liam's voice immediately rose . " Aria , are you with Julian Sterling ?! " Become SVIP ! Read all SVIP stories C " Where exactly are you ? " I held the phone away from my ear , finding Liam's voice grating for the first time . " Where I am is none of your business ." Liam seemed not to hear me , his voice filled with disbelief . " You ran off to Julian Sterling just to spite me ?! " " Just to get back at me , you'd stoop to being with someone like that ... a lowlife like him ... " As his words grew increasingly ugly , I couldn't help but cut him off . " Stop it ! " Taking a deep breath , I stated firmly , " Liam Thorne , * you * are the despicable one ." Finally , I threw those words back at him . " Don't call me again. Whatever we were , it's over . " With that , I quickly hung up the phone , blocking and deleting that number too . The world quieted . I said apologetically , " Sorry you had to hear all that . " Julian merely smiled . " Then how about you treat me to dinner ? " He winked at me . " Consider it a thank - you ." I exhaled , then returned his polite smile . " Of course . " Those two Thorne sons , they truly were like night and day . Originally , Mr. Thorne cheated , and his mistress , after giving birth to Liam , brazenly moved into their home . Mrs. Sterling , then Mrs. Thorne , took decisive action . She swiftly divorced , taking most of the Thorne family's assets , and successfully took custody of her son , the young and budding Julian Sterling . From then on , Julian took his mother's surname , Sterling , and settled abroad . My mom always spoke of Julian and his mother with immense respect, saying the Thorne family had gone from bad to worse after Mrs. Sterling , their former helmswoman , left . The ' Thorne heir ' status Liam so proudly boasted about was nothing but an empty shell . Whenever this topic came up , my mother would sigh , " Who knew gur Ária would be so soft - hearted , and of all people , fall for Liam Thorne ." Back then , I felt Liam couldn't choose whether he was born to the legitimate wife or the mistress , so I only felt sympathy for him . was just grateful my mother respected my choices . Only now did I realize that some things , our elders truly see with long - term vision . The sea breeze gently brushed my cheek , disturbing my thoughts . I shook my head , then looked at the road ahead , raising an eyebrow . " This doesn't seem like the way to a restaurant . " Julian smiled . " By Mrs. Blackwood's orders , Arla , please forgive me ." P P • < I gave a wry smile , turning to look at the avenue bathed in the sunset . The car , sure enough , stopped in front of a subtly luxurious villa . " Transferring to a new school " was really just a formality . Julian and I had both been groomed as heirs since childhood , and it wasn't long before we received invitations from the business world . Wearing the lavender gown my mother helped me choose , I gracefully mingled , champagne flute in hand , amidst clinking glasses and chatter , until I spotted Julian . The young man was in a tailored suit , but mismatched with his calm demeanor , a single lavender blossom was exquisitely embroidered on his shoulder . The people around him discreetly left . I sighed , " Neither of us can complain . We're just pawns in their game , aren't we ? " That evening's dinner , in just a few words from my mom and Mrs. Sterling , somehow turned into my engagement party with Julian . We were adults ; we weren't that childish . Julian and I tacitly understood , as a joke from our mothers . But we underestimated our mothers ' determination to unite our families . I received a ' Metamorphosis ' watch from my mom . A few days later , Julian would receive the matching men's version from Mrs. Sterling . Or Julian would receive cufflinks from Mrs. Sterling , and when I was in a negotiation , my mom would give me the matching design . I was almost used to it . But this time , Julian looked into my eyes , and said every word clearly : " What if I told you , this time , I'm doing it willingly ? " He stepped closer , his voice , clear and melodious like a stream , left a soft , damp mist in my heart . " Or rather , every single time ." Golden fireworks soared into the sky from a cruise ship . Looking at the clear , firm gaze of the man before me , I thought , * my heart skipped a beat . * My relationship with Julian unfolded as naturally as breathing .