After He Protected His Mistress, I Found a Lover

Chapter 3

In that instant, Selena felt as though she had been slapped hard across the face.

Even being pinned to the ground and abused moments ago didn't feel as humiliating as this.

She stared at Julian in silence for a long moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. She laughed until her bones ached, only stopping to ask coldly, "And what if I insist on making a fuss?"

Julian was momentarily taken aback by her laughter. Hearing her question, he snapped out of it and replied coldly, "Then go ahead and try."

With that, he turned to Gabriella. "Let's go."

Just like that, Julian wrapped his arm around Gabriella's waist and walked away.

Selena watched their retreating figures as the tall man shielded the petite woman in his arms, holding the car door open for her.

He looked incredibly doting.

A bitter smile touched Selena's lips.

After three years of marriage, she had finally witnessed Julian's tender side—only it was reserved for another woman.

Selena went to the hospital to document her injuries.

She had multiple bruises all over her body, which fell under the category of minor injuries.

Armed with the medical report, she went straight to the police. She then watched firsthand as the police escorted Gabriella and her friends out of their college classroom.

The incident immediately caused a massive uproar.

Everyone in high society soon found out that Julian had a mistress.

Yet, no one criticized Julian; instead, they all blamed Selena.

In their circle, everyone swept such matters under the rug while maintaining a generous facade. Only Selena had chosen to flip the table!

Selena paid no mind to the gossip, staring blankly at her empty chat screen.

From yesterday until now, Julian hadn't sent her a single text, showing absolute indifference to her injuries.

Just then, Mrs. Hudson brought her some medication. "Mrs. Vance, please don't be too sad. Maybe Mr. Vance is just busy. Once he's done, he'll come see you."

Selena withdrew her gaze and let out a soft laugh. "Busy? Busy taking care of his little mistress?"

Though she was smiling, her eyes looked as if they were crying.

Seeing this, Mrs. Hudson sighed. "Mrs. Vance, all men are like this. You just have to endure it. It's time for your medicine."

Selena clenched her fists tight.

'Endure? Endure one woman after another around my husband, and then watch those women barge into my home, acting smug because of his favor?'

She closed her eyes, took the pills, and swallowed them dry without any water.

Leaving only a bitter taste on her tongue.

After taking her medicine, Selena was about to head upstairs to rest when Julian walked through the door.

Watching him approach her, Selena greeted him flatly. "You're back."

Julian walked up to her, glanced at her pale face, and offered not a single word of concern.

Instead, he handed her a contract, getting straight to the point. "I've already signed this contract. My only condition is that you drop the charges at the police station."

Selena flipped open the contract; it was for a pharmaceutical research and development project.

Selena's eyes narrowed.

Not long ago, Mr. Arthur's illegitimate son had joined the company.

Her father had made it clear to both of them that whoever achieved better performance this year would become the next CEO.

Selena had been working tirelessly to secure this project from Julian Enterprises, but Julian had repeatedly refused.

Yet now, for Gabriella's sake, he was handing it over without a second thought.

Selena felt a sharp sting in her heart, but her voice remained steady. "How generous. She must mean a lot to you."

Julian looked at her, his usually calm expression showing a hint of confusion and irritation. "I always thought you were a rational person. She poses no threat to your position, so why are you so relentless?"

A sudden pang of pain pierced Selena's heart.

She stared at him, a faint smile that was half-sad and half-mocking touching her lips. "And I always thought you were a man of self-control. I never expected you to pull such dirty tricks either."

Julian replied matter-of-factly, "This is how our circle works. If it bothers you, you can always find someone else too."

Selena stared at him in disbelief, unable to believe he would say such a thing.

Julian knew perfectly well that Mrs. Arthur had abandoned Selena because of Mr. Arthur's affairs, and he knew how much she despised the unspoken rules of their circle.

Was he saying this because he was certain she would never do it?

Or did he truly not care about her at all?

It took a long time before Selena managed to choke out, "You wouldn't mind?"

Julian simply uttered three words, "I don't mind."

With that, he stood up and walked away.

Selena stood frozen, her ears ringing.

His answer confirmed what she had feared. Three years of marriage and hope had been nothing but her own wishful thinking.

Suddenly, the chime of her phone broke the silence of the living room.

Selena snapped out of it and picked up her phone.

Someone's messages popped up on the screen:

Marcus: Babe, are you feeling any better? Did you miss me?

Marcus: Babe, am I better than your husband?