LOGINJulian fell instantly silent. The commanding, unyielding gaze that usually defined him softened, dims by a shadow of hesitation. He faltered slightly, his grip on Elena's waist slackening in an instant.His mind raced through an agonizing dilemma. If he came clean and laid everything bare right now, Elena, already overwhelmed with emotion, would undoubtedly explode. Yet, if he lied or swept it under the rug, he knew the fallout would be catastrophic. If Elena ever learned the truth from someone else, especially from his mother or Amanda, she would be utterly crushed and lose all faith in him.Catching the clear hesitation etched across Julian's handsome face, Elena let out a short, icy laugh hollowed by disappointment."Why the silence?" she fired off bitterly. Her swollen eyes locked onto him, blazing with an encroaching jealousy. "Why are you flustered? Why are you struggling to find an answer? Oh, you must be scrambling to cook up an excuse, aren't you?""Elly, that's not it—"
Julian yanked his arm back, breaking her grip with lethal coldness. "Get out of here. Right now!"Amanda didn't budge. Instead, she put on a spoiled act, pouting her lips as she took a step closer."How can you be so cruel?! I just traveled all this way from abroad, and the second I step foot here, you kick me out? Where’s your warm welcome?"Julian fixed Amanda with a lethal, razor-sharp glare. "I never invited you here. I am under zero obligation to welcome you. Out!""But Julian! We used to—""There is no 'us' anymore!" Julian cut her off ruthlessly, his voice booming over her protests. "Stop acting as if you have any claim over me."Amanda narrowed her eyes, darting a glance down the hallway toward the master suite."Is it because of that country bumpkin? Julian, are you kidding me? Your taste has plummeted! What cheap girl did you drag into this penthouse?"Julian’s eyes flashed with pure fury. "Watch your mouth!" he hissed, taking an intimidating step toward her."Don't you dare
"T-Ten years, sir," Hansen stammered, his body tense."Ten years," Adam repeated softly."Curious. For ten whole years, I considered you my most loyal guard dog. Yet all it took was a little threat from Eleanor Moore for you to drop to your knees and betray me?"Hansen clenched his fists tightly against the floor. "I had no choice, sir! Madam Eleanor threatened me!""She swore she’d destroy my family overseas and have me dishonorably discharged if I ever revealed the truth about Miss Eva to you! Madam Eleanor exploited your amnesia!""So you fear an old woman more than you fear me?" Adam cornered him viciously. "Tell me, Hansen, who do you actually work for? Eleanor, or me?" he barked."Mr. Moore, I swear to God! I only work for you!" Hansen pleaded in sheer panic, his face drained of color."I swear it! Even when Madam Eleanor forbade me from interfering in Miss Eva's affairs, I still carried out the secret directives you gave me before you left the hospital."Adam raised an eyebrow,
Julian curled his lips into a faint, warm smile.Closing the distance between them, he slid his hand around Elena’s waist and drew her slowly against his chest until her body was flushed tightly against his."Of course it's familiar, Piccola," he murmured softly, his fingers threading through her loose, cascading hair."Going forward, this penthouse isn't just a bachelor pad anymore. It’s going to be our home. So yes, I explicitly instructed the interior designer to blend my preference for sleek masculinity with your dream home concept."Elena gasped. She stared up into Julian’s eyes, her face a portrait of utter disbelief. "Y-you went out of your way to dig up my college thesis mood board?""I have access to everything about you, sweetheart," he replied casually, without a single shred of guilt, before pressing a brief kiss to the crown of her head."I want you to feel completely comfortable and settled here. Every single corner of this place should make you feel loved and give you a
Julian’s blatant threat instantly made Elena’s cheeks burn red again. She gave her boyfriend’s shoulder a soft slap, her face crinkled in annoyance."Julian! Can you go just one day without your mind wandering straight to that?" Elena scolded, trying to wriggle out of his embrace.The man had no intention of letting her get away. Instead, he chuckled, tightening his arm around her waist until his warm breath brushed against the sensitive skin of her neck."Why shouldn't I? It’s one of this old man’s greatest points of pride, Sweetheart," he whispered, completely unabashed.One corner of his lips tugged up into a smoldering, devastating smirk."And you are the only woman who gets to enjoy and experience it."Elena couldn't hold back a bright, melodic laugh. Julian’s brazen, overconfident honesty always managed to dismantle her defenses and crush any lingering annoyance."You shameless pervert!" she murmured with a soft laugh, shaking her head as she rested her forehead against his broa
Elena froze, her mouth agape.The diamond ring fitted perfectly around her ring finger felt icy and heavy against her skin, starkly contrasting with the hot storm racing inside her chest.She stared at Julian with wide, disbelieving eyes, utterly stunned by the words that had just fallen from his lips."A-are you proposing to me?" Elena asked, her voice faltering."Isn't it obvious?" he replied casually, stroking the back of her ring-adorned hand.Elena slowly pulled her hand back. She glared at Julian with a deep pout, shooting him an annoyed look."Who on earth proposes like that? That wasn't a proposal, it was extortion! There isn't a single romantic bone in your body!"Julian let out a low rumble of laughter. Leaning back against the plush leather sofa, he pinned her with an unshakeable, commanding gaze."I don't care. Romantic or not, the end result is the same. If I want you to be my wife, then you will be my wife.""Julian!" Elena protested, her voice rising in exasperation."M







