Semua Bab Mr. Frost’s Reluctant Prisoner Bride: Bab 101 - Bab 110

Having arranged the meeting place, Julian personally escorted Vanessa to the agreed-upon location.Before entering, he deliberately took Vanessa's hand—a gesture asserting his claim, and also a way to elevate Vanessa's status.Adrian was already waiting inside. He rose, pulling out a chair for Vanessa with excessive solicitude. "Sit," he offered.Sitting in the seat he had prepared, Vanessa felt a prickling sensation on her back, her entire body radiating discomfort. Adrian's smile remained plastered on his face, directed solely at Vanessa. "I knew Julian would know how to care for her. In such a short time, he's nursed Vanessa back to health. Just a few months ago, she looked malnourished.""What do you want?"Even if Julian was patient, Vanessa was not.She hadn't forgotten how, just a few months ago, Adrian had beaten her, how he had driven her from the Voss family."Can't I have a meal with you without a reason?" Adrian's tone suddenly shifted. "After all, we used to be siblings."

Having watched Vanessa leave, Evelyn returned to the room, standing before Adrian. Her emotions ran high. "Adrian, what did you say to Vanessa?"Adrian remained unruffled. He lifted his gaze, observing his mother with a deep, probing look. Compared to Cameron, Evelyn was someone who couldn't lie or hide her true feelings. "I just asked Vanessa how she got the paternity test done with Dad. I find it strange."He watched the expression on Evelyn's face, her flickering gaze, her momentary silence – all were noted."Why are you asking about that?" Evelyn echoed Vanessa's words, though her tone was different. "That was so long ago. Don't go digging up Vanessa's old wounds.""I'm not trying to reopen her wounds. I just find it strange." Unbuttoning the top two buttons of his collar, Adrian felt a surge of impatience. "She's not your biological daughter, yet you treat her so well. But Dad? He always seems afraid to see Vanessa. Why?""I don't care about blood ties; your father does. It's tha

Julian selected a pair of high heels—an elegant white with a clean, minimalist design, carrying an absolute astronomical price tag.By the time Stacey stepped up behind him, the sales associate had just finished wrapping the shoes. She instinctively reached out to take the bag, but Julian beat her to it, intercepting it smoothly. "Are you all done shopping?""...Yes, all done."It wasn't until they were back in the car that reality finally sank in for Stacey. The shoes weren't a gift for her; the sales associate’s earlier flattery had simply caused her to flatter herself.As if trying to salvage the awkwardness, her voice sounded a bit stiff. "I'm sorry. I thought they were for me."Julian seemed lost in thought. He blinked slowly and replied, "No need to apologize.""I'll reimburse you for the money spent on my things later.""Don't bother. It’s my obligation."Money was the last thing he lacked, and he viewed the gesture as nothing more than a passing favor. But to a woman, when a m

Julian rarely lost his composure like this, simply because this was his and Vanessa's home. He didn't want anyone else to enter, much less leave their scent behind.Vanessa came over, carrying a cake baked by the nanny. She handed it to Leila, then addressed Julian with a cool, indifferent tone: "Miss Madison knows I like the violin, so she specially bought one for me.""...Yes, that's right." Leila nodded, guilt evident in her expression.After all, she hadn't specially bought it for Vanessa; she had snatched it away. Bringing it now was merely an excuse to see Julian, but Julian didn't seem particularly eager to see her."We don't need a violin here. Take it away."Vanessa had been using the violin as an excuse to take classes outside. Julian had long since wanted her to stop that work, so Leila giving her this naturally rubbed him the wrong way.When he said that, Vanessa remained silent, but her disappointment was palpable.Leila twitched her lips, forcing herself to remain calm.

"She's never ridden in my car."When they were together, Jerry usually drove. Even if she had ridden in it, she'd been forced in, not Vanessa willingly.Stacey's question, however, made Julian wonder, had Vanessa ridden in Harvey's car?Lately, she'd been taking lessons at the Spears family residence, meeting Harvey every day. But she was *his* person. Julian himself didn't go to Rosewood to see her daily, so what right did Harvey have?His suspicion grew heavier, his anger accumulating. He barely noticed Stacey was still beside him. "Does Miss Brooks know about our marriage? What's her attitude..."The implications of his words were numerous.Stacey's tongue tied. After a moment of consideration, she voiced her concerns. "We consider this marriage a transaction, but Miss Brooks might not see it that way. I hope you can handle it properly, so it doesn't affect the wedding.""She won't."Stacey was a spark, silently igniting much of Julian's fury. Vanessa already knew he was getting en