All the people at the video conference were Julian’s most trusted subordinates. In their eyes, their boss had always been a ruthless strategist who was decisive, unapproachable, and completely indifferent to women. The kind of man who didn’t have a shred of sentimentality.
But just moments ago, they all witnessed something that shook them to their core. Their boss showed a smile that only a lovestruck guy would have.
His eyes, usually sharp enough to make someone feel like they were moments away from execution, actually softened into something dangerously close to tenderness.
Those guys were stunned, thinking, “Did Mr. Hudson get possessed by some ancient spirit during his visit to Gravellia?”
Then someone broke the silence. “Noel, weren’t you secretly dating Mr. Hudson? What’s with the sudden appearance of a woman? Aren’t you jealous?”
Noel shot that person a glare and said,
the hell are you talking about? I never dated him like that. My relationship with Mr. Hudson is 100% clean?
The rest of the group immediately joined in the speculation.
“Who is that woman? She’s good–looking and kinda fits Mr. Hudson’s vibe, doesn’t she?” someone said.
Another guy chimed in, “She looks like someone from Gravellia.”
A man asked, “Does the Marshal know about this?”
Another guy added, “Didn’t the Marshal plan to marry Mr. Hudson to one of the generals’s daughters? If Mr.tudson found a woman on his own, wouldn’t the Marshal be unhappy?”
Another guy replied, “Maybe Mr. Hudson is just playing with her. I mean, at his age, it wouldn’t be weird for him to have some fun. Once the Marshal picks a proper candidate, Mr. Hudson will probably go along with it.”
The theory felt convincing. Even though they were shocked to see a woman beside Julian, they were convinced this was just a fling.
With Julian’s status, there was no way he’d end up marrying some random woman. He was the designated successor to the Marshal, destined to take over command. A political marriage was practically inevitable.
But then, Julian slipped his earbud back in, and the shift in his presence was immediate. His tone turned icy, his vibe becoming sharp enough to make
the air freeze.
He snapped, “Shut your mouths. She’s the woman I chose. If I want her, no one will change my mind. But for now, don’t breathe a word of this to my father. Keep this quiet.”
Julian thought he and Olivia were not officially dating, and he didn’t want anyone to cause any
trouble now.
Everyone hurriedly nodded and gave their assurances before returning to the main discussion.
Noel spoke up, “After days of tracking, we’ve pinpointed the betrayer’s likely escape route. They fled southeast toward Silvermoon Island. They’re armed, and worse, they took the design blueprints and partial experimental data of TriForce Lab’s latest weapons tech.”
Julian had already suspected internal betrayal the day he and Olivia were hauled into the police station. He ordered Noel to launch a full investigation.
The result showed he was right. The betrayer was/someone Julian had once trusted as much as he trusted Noel.
Thus, the moment Noel’s investigation began, the betrayer caught wind and fled, and he even took a few loyal defectors with him.
They didn’t just steal weapons and explosives, but they also took highly classified experimental research.
Julian narrowed his eyes, his voice going frigid. “What a coincidence. I just showed up on Silvermoon Island, and they fled here too. Looks like they’re coming for me.”
Noel’s expression turned grim. “My lord, we need to evacuate you Immediately, I’ll take a team and escort you out right now.
Julian cut him off with a shake of his head. “Declan is more cautious and smarter than you. If I keep running, we’ll never catch him,
‘Quietly bring in a team and have them blend in as locals. Don’t cause a sensation. Let’s wait for him to come to me”
None of Julian’s team agreed with Julian’s decision to put himself in danger. His life was far too important to risk over a single betrayer,
But once Julian had made up his mind, no one could sway him.
He wasn’t just trying to catch Declan–he wanted to know who had been behind his betrayal.
Declan, like Noel, had fought alongside Julian through blood and fire. They had shared life–and–death moments that forged bonds deeper than those Julian had with his own father or any of his half–brothers.
Julian couldn’t understand what kind of temptation made Declan turn his back on him.
Julian had never treated Declan poorly. The power and money Julian gave Declan were no less than what he gave Noel.
After the meeting ended, Julian leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He sat there in silence for a good ten minutes and collected himself before finally getting up.
He left the study and walked upstairs, but he didn’t see Olivia anywhere. He went downstairs to look again, and still, he saw no sign of her.
It wasn’t until he stepped outside the villa that he found her–sitting on top of the courtyard wall, gazing out at the distant sea.
She still wore the dreamy, fairytale–like nightgown he had changed her into earlier. Her golden hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, lifted now and then by the breeze.
At that moment, she looked like a figure from a fairy tale. She was so beautiful that it made him reluctant to disturb the scene.
He simply stood at the door, leaning against the frame and watching her in silence.
She was watching the sea, taking in the dazzling beauty of the world.
And to him, she was the world–no view could ever compare.
Clearly in a good mood, Olivia swung her legs back and forth
as
s she began humming a tune to herself.
A seagull flapped down and landed on her shoulder. She reached out to pet it, but the moment it realized she had nothing to feed it, it gave her a disdainful squawk and flew off.
Olivia scoffed, “You’re ruthless. No bread, no friendship? Can’t we just be pals without a transaction? What a gold–digging seagull.”
Julian chuckled and finally spoke, “You should be glad it didn’t leave you a poop.”
Olivia turned around and saw Julian leaning lazily against the glass door, his body bathed in the soft orange light of the setting sun. He looked like a divine figure carved from marble–untouchable and otherworldly.
“When did you come here?” she asked.
“About half an hour ago,” he replied.
“Half an hour? Then why didn’t you say anything?”
“The view was too perfect. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
As he spoke, he stepped out through the gate, came up to her, and slid his arms under hers to lift her off the wall.
Chapter 26
Julian said, “You’ve been asleep all day without eating anything. Go get changed. F’ll take you out for dinner?
Olivia was already starving. She immediately followed him back upstairs.
Her suitcase wasn’t in the room, but the wardrobe was full of dreamy, exquisite dresses.
Olivia turned to Julian and asked, “Where’s my luggage?”
Julian shrugged. “No idea. Forget about it for now. Just wear something from the closet.”
Olivia asked with a frown, “Whose clothes are these?”
Julian smiled, “I had them prepared just for you. Pick one you like.”
Olivia ran her fingers over the fabric and asked, “They are not cheap, are they? You don’t have to go through all this. I brought my own clothes. I can just wear those.”
Olivia could feel that Julian’s concern for her went beyond that of a normal host.
She’d lived among the wealthy long enough to recognize the worth of these clothes. The fabric and craftsmanship were high–end, and they were definitely expensive.
Julian gave Olivia a half–smile, his voice teasing. “Don’t stress over my wallet. Making money is easy for me. All I have to do is entertain some rich ladies, and learn it all back.”
Olivia mentally rolled her eyes, complaining, ‘How is he not embarrassed saying that with a straight face?‘
