No Escape from Love novel Chapter 19

I scoffed. What was wrong with Elena?

"Julian is nothing more than a debtor to me now."

Elena sneered, "Stop pretending. He's from the Blake family, and they're on a level you'll never reach in your lifetime. You can have it all by marrying Julian. How could you possibly let him slip away so easily?"

"Do you think everyone has to like what you like? Julian may be a treasure to you, but to me, he's just an ex who owes me money," I stood up and said.

Elena, who had been so smug, suddenly shifted to a pitiful act. "Elena, don't talk about Julian like that."

I didn't bother arguing with her and turned to leave. But to my surprise, Julian was standing behind me.

So, that was why Elena switched from being manipulative to playing the victim.

I turned to face her.

Julian said through gritted teeth, "Serena, I thought you were just annoying, but now, you're spreading rumors about me?"

"Spreading rumors?" I corrected him, saying, "I'm simply stating the facts."

"You..." Julian was seething with anger.

"Isn't it true?" I pressed. "Why else are you here? To pay me back?"

"Serena!" Julian practically spat out my name.

"Serena, how could you? You two were a couple once," Elena interrupted, her voice laced with cunning.

"Elena, I'll pay you back later," Julian said, clearly touched.

Elena blushed and smiled. "Julian, what's the point of talking about paying me back? As long as you're fine and Serena stops bothering you, that's all that matters to me."

I didn't want to be a third wheel, so I turned to leave, but Elena decided to stir up some drama and stopped me.

Julian's hero complex was in full force. "Serena, why are you bullying Elena?"

I frowned and looked at him. "Bullying her? Are you even listening to yourself?"

"Isn't that what's going on? I heard it with my own ears when I came in."

Elena's eyes sparkled with sweetness and triumph. She stepped forward, feigning a conciliatory tone. "Julian, don't worry. I was just trying to get you and Serena to make up."