Chapter 6 Uncle Julian
1397 Words
‘Julian only just returns today, doesn’t he? His information is always so up-to-date.’
Rosa feigned ignorance, answering coolly, “We’ll be attending a few necessary social engagements. Phenara City is looking to develop its tertiary sector, so it’s worth researching.”
Julian smiled, not bothering to contradict her.
Thomas, with his kind demeanor, was about to follow up with a few more words, but then Clara’s voice cut through the air, unrelenting and impossible to ignore.
“Dad, I’ve missed you so much! Oh my God, Julian is here too? What a pleasant surprise to see you!” Clara hurried over, her companion now Joel, with Kayla nowhere in sight.
Looks like she hasn’t yet stooped to the level of bringing her lover’s son along to greet everyone.
Clara first exaggeratedly hugged both men from the Madox family before her gaze shifted to Rosa. With a sharp, high-pitched tone, she demanded, “Isn’t this Joel’s ex-wife? Rosa, how did you get in here today?”
Thanks to Clara’s booming voice, every guest in the room turned their attention to them, some whispering amongst themselves.
Because Rosa had never flaunted her friendship with Old Mr. Thomas, many people mistakenly believed she only had access to the Madox family’s events because of her “Mrs. Sterling” title.
Clara’s repeated questioning about Rosa’s presence today was clearly intended to embarrass her.
Rosa couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. ‘Looks like Hannah’s little reminder didn’t teach Clara a lesson. I’m more than happy to give her something more direct.’
But before she could speak, Julian unexpectedly interjected, asking Hannah, “Isn’t Ms. Everly your close friend? Didn’t you ever send her an invitation before?”
Hannah, quick on her feet, immediately picked up on the cue and smiled, “In the past, we used to send a single invitation for both of them. It was a bit impolite, though. I won’t do that anymore.”
With just a few light remarks, the uncle and nephew had clarified Rosa’s legitimate and esteemed status in the room.
Thomas smiled contentedly, ignoring Clara’s growing discomfort, and turned to Rosa. “Rosa, let me formally introduce you. This is Julian, my youngest son. You’re Hannah’s good friend, so just call him ‘Uncle Julian,’ like she does.”
“Rosa Everly,” Rosa said confidently, extending her hand to Julian. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Uncle Julian.”
A flicker of emotion crossed Julian’s eyes, but he took her hand firmly. “Julian Madox.”
Then, in a surprising move that caught everyone off guard, Julian opened his arms and gently embraced Rosa. “I’m very glad to meet you, too.”
His voice, deep and smooth, sent a shiver down Rosa’s spine as he spoke into her ear. She felt a sudden warmth in her ears and neck, as if her body were shyly responding to his touch.
After the brief embrace, Julian stepped back, offering a polite bow with his right hand extended forward and his left hand behind his back. His invitation was simple and direct: “Would you like to dance with me?”
“I’d love to,” Rosa replied, placing her hand in his.
She could tell that Julian was giving her an out—an elegant excuse to leave Clara and Joel behind—and it suited her perfectly.
Hand in hand, they made their way to the dance floor, as Thomas found some excuse to leave with Hannah, leaving Clara and Joel standing behind.
Clara, red-faced with embarrassment from the cold reception by both Thomas and Julian, clenched her hands so tightly her fingers nearly dug into her palm.
Joel, looking even more furious than his mother, shot daggers at Rosa’s retreating figure. His eyes burned with jealousy and rage, and for a moment, he looked as though he might explode.
From the moment they met, she hadn’t even given him a glance, acting as if she didn’t recognize him at all!
‘She was the one who loved me first,’ he fumed inwardly. ‘She begged me to marry her!’
And now, she was dancing with another man, smiling at him so warmly, so intimately.
How could she do this? Did she truly not have a single shred of lingering affection for him?
On the dance floor, Rosa was blissfully unaware of the storm brewing within Joel. In Julian’s arms, she moved effortlessly with the rhythm of the music.
“Uncle Julian, thank you for helping me out of that situation.”
“No need to thank me,” Julian’s voice, warm and smooth, echoed above her head. “It’s my pleasure.”
As the music came to a close, Julian, ever the gentleman, kissed the back of her hand and released his hold on her waist.
The two had just stepped to the edge of the dance floor when Sebastian, her assistant, approached swiftly, his voice low. "Boss, Samuel just called. Someone broke into the Emerald Villa and destroyed some of the property."
Rosa's eyes narrowed, her expression cooling. "Was Samuel hurt?"
"He said he could handle his injuries himself. He also mentioned that the attackers were likely from the Sterling family."
The Sterlings were nothing but a pack of thugs.
Rosa cast a cold, piercing glance toward the Sterling family, then turned back to Julian, her expression shifting back to its usual polite warmth.
"Uncle Julian, there’s been a sudden situation, and I’m afraid I’ll have to leave the party early," she said, offering a small smile. "Please convey my apologies to Grandpa Thomas."
"I will," Julian responded, his concern evident. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"A group of thugs broke into my villa and injured one of my friends," Rosa explained. "But don't worry, my people have already contacted the police."
"If you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to me."
"I will, thank you," Rosa replied, her voice soft with gratitude.
Julian stood by the dance floor, watching her retreating figure thoughtfully, his fingers absentmindedly twirling as he pondered. Samuel? The name sounded familiar.
‘Is he one of the men living in her villa?’
By the time Rosa arrived at the Emerald Villa, the family doctor had already been there, tending to Samuel’s wounds. The poor guy was battered, his face swollen, and one of his fingers had been broken.
"They had a lot of people... I couldn’t fight back. I’m sorry..." Samuel whispered when he saw Rosa, his voice filled with shame. "They told me to leave you alone and stay as far away as possible if I wanted to live."
Rosa's heart tightened with guilt. "It’s my fault, Samuel. They were after me, and I dragged you into this."
"No!" Samuel protested immediately. "It’s my fault for being so useless, causing you trouble!"
Rosa gave a small, reassuring smile. "It seems like you’re not planning on staying away from me. In that case, focus on healing. Once you're better, you can start working at my company."
"Wh-what?" Samuel blinked in disbelief, his eyes wide. "Are you serious?"
"Of course." Rosa replied with a teasing smile. "You're a finance graduate from Crestwood University. How could I possibly sponsor someone without checking out their background first?"
She leaned closer, her voice soft yet firm. "So, Samuel, would you be willing to help me take revenge?"
Samuel’s throat caught, and for a moment, he was speechless.
This woman had not only helped him save his father and continue his education, but now she was offering him a chance to reclaim his lost dignity.
He looked at her with awe, his gaze almost reverent, as if she were a goddess sent from the heavens.
"Rest up," Rosa said, standing and ruffling his hair gently, like she might to a child.
Samuel gathered his courage. "It’s getting late... are you leaving now?"
Rosa paused, considering, then replied, "Well, maybe I’ll stay for tonight..."
Before she could finish her sentence, her phone buzzed with an incoming message.
She glanced down, her eyes widening in surprise.
A strange number had sent two pictures: one was the deed to the Everly Estate, and the other, a familiar hotel room number: Bach Hotel, Room 3303…
Samuel looked as if he could use some company, but now, the mysterious man’s silent invitation had arrived in the form of those two images.
- Writer
