Leaving You Bereft (Willow and Julian) novel Chapter 73

Grace’s words lingered in Julian’s mind for a long time.

It was the end of the year, and Nebula Group was swamped with business affairs. The negotiations with Aurelia Group were moving forward at full speed, and Julian hadn’t seen Willow in half a month.

At the end of the year, Nebula Group hosted a banquet.

At the event, Julian was alone. In previous years, Willow had always been by his side at this time of year. This year, he had invited Willow, but she never responded.

With Nebula’s president’s marriage on the rocks, women eager to take her place lined up one after another.

Esther dealt with them all.

In a quiet corner of the banquet hall, Julian held a wine glass and silently gazed out at the night view of most of Brindley.

A tall and slender figure appeared behind him. It was Dexter’s girlfriend, Eleanor.

“Mr. Ziegler, how has Ms. Harper been lately?”

Julian turned around and quietly studied her for a moment. “She’s doing fine. What about you, Ms. Sutton? Have you and Dexter made plans to get married?”

His question was abrupt. He wasn’t even sure why he had asked. Perhaps it was because Eleanor looked a lot like Willow.

Eleanor smiled faintly. “We’re not planning to get married.”

Upon hearing this, he unexpectedly felt a bit melancholic.

After the banquet ended, Julian got into his Rolls–Royce Spectre, a newly purchased car worth ten million dollars.

He intended to give it to Willow.

Esther had mentioned that her gallery was about to open. This would make the perfect opening gift.

The car’s interior was dimly lit. Julian unbuttoned his suit jacket, leaned back against the leather seat, and closed his eyes to rest.

He had a few light drinks earlier, and now the buzz was kicking in. His face carried a faint flush in an alluring shade of red.

In the front seat, Ester ran her fingers over the interior and was stunned.

So, this was what a ten–million–dollar luxury car looked like!

Julian ordered the driver to head to Willow’s apartment.

But Esther suddenly remembered something and said, “I just ran into Mrs. Chapman. Apparently, Mrs. Ziegler arranged a meeting tonight with a B–list actor to discuss an endorsement deal.”

In Julian’s eyes, a B–list actor was a young, pretty boy.

His mood instantly soured. He had Esther get the location and told the driver to head straight there.

Willow had spent two hours negotiating with the actor at Moonlit before finally closing the deal–a two–year endorsement contract worth three million per year.

The young actor knew of Willow’s reputation. She also treated people with respect, so he politely called her “Ms. Harper“.

But the moment the young actor called her “Ms. Harper“, Julian happened to step inside.

The door swung open, and that was the first thing he heard.

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Julian didn’t respond.

At his level, he rarely gave out his number to people.

Esther, sensing the mood, tactfully escorted the two guests out, leaving the space to her jealousy–fueled boss.

The private lounge fell silent.

Julian held back for a long time before finally speaking, “I don’t mind you working, but was it really necessary to hire some pretty boy as a spokesperson? And drinking champagne together, too? What if you got drunk and someone took advantage of you?”

Willow leaned lazily against the folding screen, tilting her head back with a light laugh. “Julian, back when I used to accompany you to social events, I drank the hard stuff, and you never worried about me then.

“As for the young and handsome man, Julian, you have your freedom, and I have mine. I don’t owe you my loyalty. Today, it’s Mr. Frank. Tomorrow, it could be Mr. Winston… As long as I’m happy.”

Willow’s chest rose and fell slightly, her red lips slightly parted, clad in nothing but a thin dress.

She was unbearably seductive.

Yet, at the corner of her eye, there was the faint shimmer of tears.

Those tears, strangely enough, extinguished Julian’s anger.

He stepped forward, gently cupping her face, his voice deep and tender. “Don’t say things just to hurt me! Willow, deep down, you still care about me, don’t you?”