Chapter 33
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Caleb and Bruce were surprised too.
Since Caleb and Sydney’s marriage had soured, Julian rarely joined the friend group’s outings. Yet he never left the group chat. His appearances at gatherings were infrequent. No one expected him to show up tonight without a word.
Bruce stood and smiled to ease the tension. “Jules, what brings you here tonight?”
“Just passing by.” Julian nodded, straightened up, and stepped into the room.
The guy who had joked earlier followed him, apologizing repeatedly, “Bro, I shouldn’t have said that.
Please don’t hold it against me.”
Among them, only Julian and Caleb held real power. That was especially the case for the intimidating and decisive Julian. He was one of the few in Jouleston who dared cross him.
Julian slouched casually onto the leather sofa, draping an arm over its back. “It was just a joke. Why so
serious?”
“Alright, go back to your game.” Caleb defused the mood, raising his glass toward Julian. “They’re all scared of you, you know that.”
“Really?” Julian leveled his gaze at Caleb, glass paused halfway to his lips.
Caleb poured him another drink. They spoke like old friends or brothers–in–law.
“Have you been in touch with Sydney recently?” Caleb asked.
Julian answered lazily, “You all just said it, right? That she and I have fallen out.”
“We’re just joking,” Caleb replied with a wry smile. “Who doesn’t know you cared about her most?”
He knew better than anyone about Sydney and Julian’s past. After her parents died, Julian, blinded by power and influence, treated her like a treasured little sister.
“So?” Julian’s smirk slipped into his voice. “Worried I might stir trouble if you divorce her for
Penelope?”
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8:39 AM Sun 24 Aug
Chapter 33
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Caleb did not deny it. Instead, he asked with a half–smile, “Would you?”
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