Ch18 - Rubbish Ex

Violet?

At that name, Julian’s steps froze.

Liam let out a sigh, sneering, “Yeah, she was obedient as hell. But don’t you think that kind of girl’s boring as fuck? Last time I ran into her she still looked broke and pathetic. Honestly, just looking at her killed my appetite…”

The disdain in his tone was crystal clear.

His buddy snickered, “Man, you’ve been spoiled by too many rich chicks. At least she’s hot though. If you don’t want her, pass her to me—I’d have some fun with that.”

Liam smirked, arching a brow. “I’ll give you that—she was the best-looking out of all my exes. Girls like her are rare these days, that whole fragile, innocent vibe. Especially that body… tiny waist, great rack…”

He made a crude grabbing gesture with his hands. His friend gave him a dirty grin. “Damn, you’re fucked up.”

Liam grinned wider, but before the laugh could leave his throat—

CRACK.

A heavy punch smashed across his face. He went sprawling, rolling on the pavement.

His buddy just froze, eyes wide.

Liam blinked up in shock, mind blank, until the white-hot pain finally hit. His face throbbed, rage surged up from his gut, and he scrambled to his feet, spitting, “WHAT the fuck—who the hell—”

Then he saw him.

The same man who’d just thrown him out of the bar.

Julian.

Liam’s face twisted. “YOU again? I’m already outside your damn place, what the fuck’s your problem? What gives you the right to hit me?!”

Julian stood over him, eyes cold, fist flexing until his knuckles cracked. “NO one ever teach you to act like a gentleman? Don’t run your filthy mouth in public.”

Liam gaped. Seriously? He punched me over what I said?

Clutching his jaw, he shot back, “WHAT I say’s none of your fucking business! I can talk about whoever the hell I want!”

Julian’s gaze was flat, dismissive, like he was looking at trash. “Say that shit in front of me, it becomes my business.”

Liam lunged, but security pinned his arms in an instant. He flailed, tried to kick at Julian instead. “Psycho! I wasn’t even talking about you! Got nothing better to do, huh?!”

Julian sidestepped smoothly, his stare so sharp it sent a chill down Liam’s spine.

Panic rose—Liam yelled about calling the cops, looking around for backup, only to realize his buddy had bailed the second things went south.

“Fucking hell!” he roared. Today was a nightmare. First a fight inside, then thrown out, now sucker-punched by some lunatic. His cheek burned, gums throbbing.

Security dragged him backward while he dug his heels into the pavement, scraping uselessly.

Then it hit him. The lightbulb moment.

Eyes going wide, Liam shouted, “WAIT—don’t tell me you actually know Violet?!”

Julian looked down at him, cool as ice. He neither confirmed nor denied.

“HA! I KNEW IT! You and that bitch know each other!” Liam’s voice shot up, gloating. 

“Go tell her this: just ’cause she’s hanging around some bar owner doesn’t make her shit. Boring chicks like her always get tossed aside. The crap I ate today? I’ll pay her back a hundred times worse!”

Julian closed the distance in two strides, fisting Liam’s collar so tight his knuckles went white. His voice was low, dangerous: “YOU’ll never get that chance.”

Fear flickered across Liam’s face—but he quickly masked it with a smug grin. “Buddy, let me tell you something. Violet might look all cold and untouchable, but she’s just a fake little tease. Acts classy, but she’s starving for love. Throw her a bone, she’ll crawl after you, beg to please you, hell—she’ll lick your shoes if you ask.”

“SHUT your filthy mouth.” Julian’s eyes burned red, fist cocked back, ready to smash down again—

Felix barreled in, grabbing him from behind. “Hey! Don’t—don’t! Chill, man!”

“Let me go!” Julian roared, fury spilling out of his chest like fire.

“Not worth it!” Felix locked his arms around him, yelling at security to drag Liam out before Julian lost it completely.

But Liam only grew bolder as he was hauled away, laughing loud enough for the street to hear: “Don’t get too attached, man! She’ll stick to you like glue—you’ll never shake her off!”

Julian strained so hard Felix nearly lost his grip. Desperate, Felix shouted, “Shut that asshole up already—gag him!”

A second later, Liam’s muffled curses were dragged down the street until they faded out. Felix finally released Julian, wiping sweat from his brow. “Jesus, man. That’s not like you. You never lose it like that… What the hell?”

“Nothing.” Julian’s eyes stayed locked on the street corner, jaw tight. He dusted off his jacket with sharp little flicks. “Just in a bad mood.”

Felix stared at him like he’d grown a second head. Ten minutes ago they’d been drinking, joking, same old Julian. Now he was storming like thunder. Since when did he start acting like this?

Not wanting more chaos, Felix tugged him back inside, even pulling Lydia along when he noticed her watching.

“So who the hell was that chick he kept running his mouth about?” Felix pressed, curious. “I mean, I’ve never seen you snap like that. Dude, your face was black as ink—seriously, you should’ve seen yourself.”

Julian’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Nobody. I don’t know her.”

Felix shot up from his chair. “The fuck you don’t! You blew your top, and you don’t even know her? Don’t forget you put money in this bar too. You just punched a customer in your own damn place.”

Julian’s glare was lethal. “If I didn’t shut him up, I’d have broken his jaw. He got off easy.”

The anger still churned, hot and suffocating, until he finally yanked out his phone and barked into it: “Craig. Look into someone for me.”

Felix gawked, mouth hanging open, then turned to Lydia for backup—but her face was as tight and grim as Julian’s.

“Wait—what? You know her too? Why do both of you look like you just swallowed poison?”

Lydia rolled her eyes, clearly done, and stalked off. She didn’t bother to answer, but inside she was shaken. She’d never seen Julian lose control like that. Normally, his bodyguards took care of the dirty work—he didn’t even lift a finger.

But tonight? One girl’s name had set him off. Violet. And that alone told Lydia everything she needed to know: that woman was dangerous.

They drifted back to the bar. Felix raised an eyebrow at the two of them sitting in awkward silence—Lydia and Julian looked like they’d had a spat.

To break the mood he grabbed a few bottles, grinned, and started mixing. He shook the shaker like a man on a mission, tossed the drinks into two glasses with a little flair, then tucked an orange slice on each rim. He pushed the glasses in front of Lydia and Julian.

“Alright, try this. My masterpiece.”

Lydia didn’t hesitate—took a big swig—and immediately screwed up her face. She stuck her tongue out and inhaled sharply. “WTF… ugh—this is bitter as hell! For real? Your ‘masterpiece’ tastes like regret.”

When she caught Felix’s smirking face, she got it—she’d been punked. She jumped up and lunged after him.

Felix laughed, dodging around the bar, “Hey, hey—my drink brings people back to life!”

“You’re asking to die—what did you put in this?!” Lydia staggered to the back of the bar, found the little white bottle, and exploded. “You loaded this with bitters, didn’t you? I swear I’ll kill you. What kind of bartender are you? This place is doomed.”

Felix squealed and dove behind Julian. “Save me!”

Julian’s mouth softened and he let out a low chuckle, eyeing his untouched drink. Of course Felix was up to no good—he hadn’t touched it either.

They bantered and messed around until the mood eased. Lydia finally waved an airy goodbye. “Okay, I’m out—gotta go. My dad wants me bright and early at the office tomorrow or he’ll freeze my card.”

“Wait—party queen bails early?” Felix teased.

Lydia pouted but forced herself to leave. She lingered a beat looking at Julian; he only exchanged a quick glance with her and then jumped back into chat with Felix. She walked out.

Julian shoved his drink away, chin toward Felix. “Swap it. Give me something normal.”

“Sure, boss.” Felix poured tequila with mock solemnity and sat back down, still grinning. “Anything else the boss needs?”

Julian shot him a look. “Cut the act. Be a normal human for five minutes, yeah?”

Felix put on a mock-innocent face. “Oh, I wouldn’t dare cross you—don’t want your media arm painting me as a villain, then your legal team suing me into oblivion, and your private fund burying me under cash……”