Chapter 15 Julia didn't see Keith again when she got home that day . The next day , word spread that Keith had apparently pissed someone off and gotten beaten up so badly he ended up in the hospital , his face bruised and swollen . Julia let out a quiet sigh . She felt relieved not having to see him . TOO When life was peaceful , time slipped by faster . Before she realized it , June had arrived . June 27 was her birthday . 110 ト T 137 Calvin had started planning a grand birthday party for her a month in advance . Almost every socialite in Jorvain received an invitation - everyone but Keith . More than the guest list , what surprised Julia most was that Calvin had even invited her mother , Lydia Hill , who had lived overseas for years . In the lavishly decorated banquet hall , Julia stood frozen in her tailored gown when she saw her mother . Joy instantly flooded her eyes . " Mom , what are you doing back here ? " Though Lydia was over 50 years old , she still looked remarkably youthful , apart from a few fine lines at the corners of her eyes . Yet the warmth in her eyes was impossible to miss when she smiled . " Today is your birthday , of course I came back to spend it with you . I hadn't been able to travel much because of my health , so I barely got to be with you . I didn't even know if you were doing well or if someone was giving you trouble . " Her expression held a trace of regret and sentiment . She gently stroked the top of Julia's head and said , " My health is much better now . I want to spend more time with you . " Julia caught the meaning in her words , and her eyes lit up even more . " You're staying for good ? " She remembered how , when she first came back to Jorvain , she had tried again and again to convince Lydia to come with her . But Lydia had always refused , saying she didn't want to be a burden . Considering Lydia's poor health , Julia had reluctantly given up on the idea . She never imagined Calvin would be the one to change her mind . Lost in her happiness , Julia didn't notice the look exchanged between Lydia and Calvin . To her , nothing could have made her happier in that moment . Conversations buzzed around the room , and Julia could hear every word without even trying . " Isn't Julia the ex - wife of Carson Group's CEO ? I heard Mr. Carson used to treat her very well . So , why is she with Mr. Stewart now ? " Chapter 15 2/2 " You're way out of the loop ! Mr. Carson used to dote on Ms. Nolan , and the news was flooded with stories of them showing off their love . But then three years ago , they suddenly filed for divorce , The case dragged on for nearly six months . " " Honestly , she's so lucky . Her first husband was obsessed with her , and now Mr. Stewart treats her just as well . " Keith stood in the corner , listening to the murmurs around him . He had spent a fortune just to get an invitation to this event . And now , as he watched Julia laughing comfortably among the others at the center of the hall , a mix of emotions churned inside him . He used to be the one who stood proudly at Julia's side . Now , even catching a glimpse of her had become this difficult . And yet , he had no one to blame but himself . He had caused all of it . A seven - tiered cake was soon wheeled in , with a small velvet box placed in front of it . Calvin picked up the box and dropped to one knee in front of everyone . " Jules , will you marry me ? " The proposal happened so suddenly . Julia stood frozen , completely caught off guard . She stared at him in a daze , trying to process how her birthday party had suddenly turned into a proposal . The entire hall fell silent for a moment , then erupted into loud cheers . " Say yes ! Marry him ! " the crowd chanted . Her heartbeat thundered in her ears . A flush quickly spread across her cheeks and crept up to her ears . Everyone around her had already assumed her answer , but she still hadn't responded . There was no denying that Julia had feelings for Calvin . Whether it was his looks , his demeanor , or his character , he fit her ideal in every way . Calvin and Keith were nothing alike . And yet , in that moment , her mind inexplicably wandered back to Keith . Chapter 16