8 I next saw Liam Thorne at a welcome - back dinner prepared by my friends . We were all adults now , and conversations in our social circles had shifted to family businesses and management . - Soft lighting , slightly sweet wine - the atmosphere was comfortable . Then , an uninvited guest walked in . The atmosphere in the private room went eerily silent for a moment . My friend tugged at my sleeve , whispering , " Aria , no one invited him . " I nodded . I already knew that . My friend let out a breath , her voice tinged with disdain . " That pair is practically the scum of our social circle now . Their family's decline is one thing , but their character is just as bad . " " Especially Chloe , she clings to Liam like he's some prized possession , wary of any other woman who even glances his way . " I tilted my head . Sure enough , Chloe was trailing behind Liam . Seeing my gaze , Chloe instinctively cowered , then shot me a venomous glare . Liam seemed completely oblivious , walking straight to the seat opposite me and sitting down . Others quickly tried to break the awkward silence , so I simply got up and went to the restroom for some peace . After a moment , someone appeared behind me . Chloe Davis hadn't changed one bit . Her hair was in cutesy pigtails , her makeup made her look delicately beautiful , and she wore a pristine white dress . D < A year had passed , but her mindset seemed stuck in high school . But she didn't realize that this circle never needed some naive , innocent flower . Profit was the only foundation . She was outdated , useless . Her emotional manipulation was no match for real business interests , so she was discarded . It was that simple . Chloe's eyes were filled with jealousy and malice , as if she wanted to lunge and tear me to shreds . " Aria Blackwood , you must be so proud , seeing how infatuated Liam is with you . " I looked at her silently in the mirror , temporarily speechless . If shedding a couple of tears and saying a few emotional words counted as " infatuation , " then Chloe's view on love was truly twisted . Chloe seemed to think of something , her expression shifting several times , before a triumphant smirk spread across her face . " But you still don't know , do you ? Liam specially orchestrated your high school transfer because he knew I found you annoying . Hahahahaha ... " I remained calm , because honestly , I felt nothing . Yes , nothing . Both Liam Thorne and Chloe Davis would only drift further and further out of my life from now on . And I was confident I'd leave them far behind , for good . Chloe stared at me , her eyes bloodshot . " What kind of reaction is that ? " " Why aren't you angry ? What makes you so arrogant ?! " " What right do you have to be so arrogant ? So what if your family is a little better off than mine ? Besides that , what do you have on me ? You're useless , you can't even hold onto a man's heart ! " She grew increasingly furious , raising her arm to slap my face , but someone caught her wrist mid - air and forcefully flung her away . Julian Sterling stood in front of me , looking at Chloe , who had fallen to the floor . " Regarding your insult and intentional assault of my fiancée , I have already recorded evidence and called the police . " " You can tell them everything you want to say at the precinct . " I looked at the tall back in front of me , unable to suppress a smile . He had clearly dressed up to see me , still wearing accessories and clothes in colors that matched mine . Childish , yet strangely endearing . The arrival of the police car caused quite a stir . My friends , seeing that I hadn't returned after a long time , heard the commotion and came out to check , just in time to see Chloe being escorted into the police car . She struggled frantically , yelling , " Who gave you the right to touch me ?! My husband is Liam Thorne , the only heir of the Thorne family ! " " Let me go ! I need to go find my husband ... ! " Everyone discreetly looked at Liam Thorne . But Liam merely watched numbly as the woman he had meticulously protected in his youth was taken away . He didn't speak up , didn't try to stop them , proving he knew how to perfectly look out for himself . I glanced silently . At that moment , the boy from my youth shattered completely . p p . < It was late by the time we finished our statements at the police station , so I simply took Julian back to my place . The next morning , I woke up to breakfast already laid out . Leaning against the doorframe , I watched him meticulously wash the dishes . " So domestic , are we ? " " No official title yet , " Julian teased , " gotta be extra thoughtful to impress my significant other , right ? " " Otherwise , if she gets angry , what if she doesn't want me anymore ? " Julian playfully tapped my nose , half - serious , half - joking . I sighed , remembering the undisguised gossip in my friends ' eyes as they watched Julian leave last night . I casually scrolled through my phone , then my gaze landed on a news article . I smiled . " Want an official title ? Here it The news headlines , blazing acro e trending topics , were bold and capitalized . * Heiress of Blackwood Enterprises Accused of Seducing a Married Man * * Blackwood Heiress's Scandalous Private Life : Man Stays Overnight * The two headlines , one after the other , were neatly arranged . A ruthless determination to completely ruin me . Chloe probably didn't know that private villas usually had surveillance cameras . Before the public outcry could even fully ignite , a video suddenly went viral . The video clearly showed the Thorne family heir harassing and lunging at me after I pushed him away and tried to leave . Public opinion of Blackwood Enterprises sharply reversed , but the skeptical voices were still numerous . " Explain the scandalous private life , then . " " Becoming a high - level executive at Blackwood Enterprises at such a young age, who knows which ' big shot ' you had staying over ? " Julian frantically set up an Ins account as if his eyebrows were on fire . I watched him clumsily , amused . " No need to rush . " In the midst of his flurry , he earnestly kissed my forehead . " You shouldn't be slandered by anyone's words . " * Ding dong ! * New message notification : You have been followed by " Julian Sterling ." I looked down . Oh , wow , a verified , authoritative account . Immediately after , the " Julian Sterling " account posted : AX * Hello everyone , on behalf of the Sterling Group , I'd like to thank the future head of our corporation , @AriaBlackwood , for taking me in last night .. The entire internet fell silent for a moment , then exploded . Julian looked up at me , his face innocent again . I sighed , then leaned in and kissed his lips . སློང་ ། ? P