Eleanor Hollis and Marcus sat down with popcorn, waiting for the movie to start. Halfway through the movie, Gloria Galloway called her, saying she wanted to have dinner with her. Eleanor agreed without hesitation, but she heard Gloria add that Julian Sterling would be there too. Eleanor’s complexion instantly darkened, but she still didn’t say anything. When the movie ended, she met Julian and Gloria downstairs. Julian’s face didn’t look good, but he didn’t storm off. Eventually, they found a restaurant and sat down slowly. Gloria’s intention was simple, hoping these two wouldn’t turn into enemies because of her. This matter was her fault, whether it was Julian or Eleanor, she was in debt to both. Just as the food was brought out, Julian’s phone rang—it was Yvette Jacobs calling. Follow current novᴇls on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝕟𝕖𝕥 He glanced at it and hung up casually. But soon, the phone rang frantically again, as if it wouldn’t stop until he answered. Julian’s tone was unpleasant. After pressing the answer button, he impatiently said those words. "Julian, save me, please, I don’t want to be, ahhhh! Get away!!" Before Yvette could finish speaking, she started screaming. Julian instantly stood up, his face darkening. "Julian, save me, save me, I’m at Elysian Hotel, room 403." After finishing, Yvette hung up. Julian stood there stiffly, realizing the two women in front of him were staring at him. He picked up his jacket without saying a word and left straight away. In his haste, he even knocked over a chair. Gloria looked at his back with a heavy gaze, suddenly pulling her lips into a smile. Eleanor took a sip of juice, seemingly unsurprised by Julian’s attitude. They all knew that the call was from Yvette, only Yvette could make this man so flustered. "Gloria, you’ve seen it too; marrying him, you won’t be happy. Yvette will always be a thorn in his heart, occasionally stabbing him. He’ll drop everything for Yvette, no matter what you’re doing." Gloria was very quiet, turning to look out the window as she idly stirred her juice. She had long known it would be this way, but she still didn’t want to let go. If it meant torment, then they’d torment each other for a lifetime. "Before you’re married, you can..." Eleanor wanted to continue persuading, but Gloria spoke up. "Eleanor, don’t get involved in his and my affairs anymore. I’ve decided I’ll keep him by my side for a lifetime; if he doesn’t love me in a year, then two, three years—I don’t believe he’ll always love Yvette." Eleanor was stumped, suddenly realizing she didn’t quite recognize this friend, who clearly wasn’t before. Love is indeed a terrifying thing. Julian soon arrived at the hotel, found a clerk, got the key to room 403, and took the elevator up. He was anxious, desperate to reach the room’s door right away. The elevator finally stopped, and he opened the door with the key. "Julian! Julian, help!" Yvette was pinned down by the director; when she saw him, her eyes lit up, and she stumbled out of bed. If Julian had come a bit later, she might have been consumed completely. The director was startled upon seeing Julian, thinking Yvette was just Julian’s discarded toy, but it’s clear Julian still cared about her. "You’re asking for it!" Julian threw a punch, knocking the man down. The director’s face instantly turned black and blue; he wanted to say that Yvette was the one who initiated, and she didn’t refuse, but facing the enraged man, he couldn’t utter a word. Yvette shivered as she dressed, watching Julian recklessly beat the director. Her lips curved. After so many years, how could one simply let go? This man clearly still loved her. "Julian, that’s enough, enough." She rushed forward, hugging Julian’s waist from behind, her face full of pride. Only, Julian was facing away, not seeing her expression. "Julian, thank you. Besides you, I truly wouldn’t know whom to rely on." Yvette’s cheek pressed against Julian’s back, speaking emotionally. Julian said nothing, his chest rising and falling fiercely. His feelings for Yvette weren’t simple love; knowing her for so long, he had long considered her family. Breaking up with her was losing a relative—how could it not hurt? As he entered and saw Yvette being maltreated, a rush of heat surged to his head, eager to fight the greasy man to the death! "Julian, stop, he’ll die if you keep beating him." Yvette tightly hugged him, her eyes filled with deeper amusement. Julian finally stopped, turned around calmly, suddenly lowered his head, forcefully grabbed the back of her head, and kissed her. This kiss was so rough and intense, Yvette felt she might faint from it. Her heart was all jubilation, placing her hands on his waist, holding him tightly. The kiss lasted over ten minutes before Julian suddenly stopped, gazing at her face greedily. He already knew the kind of person Yvette was, but upon receiving her call, his body didn’t follow orders at all. It’s years of conditioned reflex; anything related to Yvette makes him lose control. "Julian, you do care about me, don’t you? I’m so happy." Yvette rose on her tiptoes, kissing his lips again. She had him in the palm of her hand; no matter how he struggled, he would instinctively care and be concerned for her. It’s years of habit, something not easily changed. Julian pulled her into his arms, laying her onto the bed nearby. The director had long fainted, his face covered in blood. If he knew the room he paid for was benefiting others, he’d be furious to the point of vomiting blood. Yvette unhesitatingly wrapped her arms around his neck, her gaze sultry, Just as Julian was about to kiss her, he suddenly recalled Gloria waiting at the restaurant. He had promised Gloria that he would marry her. Thinking of this made his body stiffen, his lips hovering in mid-air. Yvette waited for his kiss, but despite waiting with closed eyes for a long time, she didn’t feel him approach. She opened her eyes to find Julian tidying his clothes, seemingly preparing to leave. Her tone was full of confusion, arms reaching to hug his waist from behind. Julian didn’t stop, a flash in his eyes. "I’m going to marry Gloria; she’s a good girl." He said lightly, slowly prying her hands off his waist. Yvette held on tighter, her tone becoming urgent.