When Audrey appeared to have more to say, Jude interrupted her out of inexplicable anger. "That's between me and her," he said unhappily.Although he sounded as gentle as ever, a tactful person would have heard the warning in his voice.Jude was inexplicably furious. No matter how much hatred and contempt he held for that woman, that was his business. Hearing Audrey mention that woman upset him immensely."Jude... I-I just feel bad and sorry for you. Please don't be mad at me," Audrey explained herself flusteredly over the phone.Looking impatient, Jude interrupted her pleasant, albeit, flustered voice, "Got it. Let's end it here."He was about to hang up when Audrey cried, "Wait!""Jude, it has been years since my sister passed away. It must be the eighth anniversary this year... Jude, can you really not forget about her? C-Can't I be the one instead?" Audrey asked, sounding agitated. "Jude, my sister and I are twins. We look exactly the same. Jude, I love you."Jude Simmons's
Pearl City.Jude's life had never been better.As expected, his mood had improved significantly after that annoying person disappeared from his life.He was in such a good mood that everyone in the company could feel it."You're just happy without Scarlett," Eric commented.Taking a deep drag out of the cigarette pinched between his fingers, Jude gave Eric a meaningful look and said, "Did you just realize that? After working for me for so long?" He laughed at him for pointing out the obvious.When Jude handed Eric a cigarette, he happily accepted it but turned it around it in his hands instead of lighting it. He looked at the person beside him and asked, "Then... What would happen to Scarlett without Jude?"Jude was happy without Scarlett.Still, what about Scarlett without Jude?Jude didn't look concerned in the slightest and his voice reflected his disinterest, "Oh... Her? Who cares?""I do. It's been a while since she showed up at her company. Olivia Smith is currently man
A few days later, Eric and Jude received an invitation to their high school reunion.They were childhood friends as well as high school classmates; they even studied at the same university abroad.The high school reunion was held in a private lounge at the Marriott International Hotel. Though initially reserved, everyone soon eased up after several rounds of drinks later.When Jude gave Eric a "this-is-freaking-boring look", Eric spread his hands with a wry smile. He wouldn't have come had he known that this reunion was nothing more than a flattering contest.Knowing that Jude was running out of patience, he stood up. "Please go on without us, guys. Jude and I..." There was no reason to stay in such a boring gathering much longer.Eric was about to bid everyone farewell when one of their drunk classmates interrupted him and asked loudly, "Simmons, I heard you have gotten divorced?"His voice was so loud that everyone fell silent.The man was positively intoxicated as he walked t
A month passed in the blink of an eye. Without Scarlett around, Jude had fully regained his freedom.He had visited nearly every high-end club in Pearl City during that time, showing up every night as if avenging himself or letting out his pent-up frustration at being forced into a marriage for seven years.Indulging himself to his heart's content at places of debauchery, the typically noble and aloof Jude turned himself into one of the most well-known playboys around.Everyone could see him having the time of his life regardless of which entertainment venue he was in. He had never actively pursued a woman, but he wouldn't turn away those approached him either.Strangely, no matter how much he fooled around, he had never taken any woman home.Everyone soon realized that he didn't have a problem playing with women who threw themselves at him, but found them beneath him.Even so, Jude was still the most eligible bachelor around. Countless women continued to try their luck. He had a
The nightlife in Pearl City became livelier as the skies darkened.The moment Jude and Eric entered the Soho bar, they were met with booming music from all directions.Numerous men and women were twisting, turning, swaying, and shaking their bodies on the dance floor. Under the dim, multi-colored lights, they looked more like a bunch of socially undesirables dancing wildly into the night.Jude and Eric attracted intense attention as soon as they stepped through the door.Their outstanding appearances, graceful manners, and extraordinary temperament were very attractive to women. The women stare at them brazenly, trying to seduce them with their eyes."Tsk. Jude, look at the women around us. They look like they're ready to eat you alive."Jude chuckled. "That man to your right looks all right. He's been staring at you since you came in. Why don't you go play with him?"The two of them joked around. They didn't request a private lounge and sat down at the bar instead.Those who w
"Why did I come here?"Jude stood in the wind and sank into confusion as he stared at the familiar yet unfamiliar villa in front of him. "Oh, maybe I'm really drunk tonight." "Maybe... I'm feeling a little lonely tonight?"It was all that woman's fault for puzzling him.It was all that fat classmate's fault for being talkative.He stood in front of the door and looked down at the electronic lock. He could still remember the passcode. Back then, that woman insisted on using their wedding date as the passcode, and they never changed it over the next seven years. He couldn't have forgotten about it even if he tried.She had looked like she won the entire world when he didn't reject her suggestion, but what about him? He had stood beside her, looking at her happily set the new passcode like she was a joke. He remembered thinking then, "Tsk, tsk. What's the point?" He understood her intention but found it ridiculous.Could a passcode bridge their distance?With his mind still on
The next day, at noon."Hey, Jude. The doctor said your results came out fine." Eric was walking behind Jude with a medical report in hand. He was no doctor, but there wasn't anything challenging about reading a simple report.Jude was completely healthy. The doctor said that he might be under external pressure, but was otherwise fine. As soon as Jude heard this, he immediately stood up and left.Eric was wondering which part of the doctor's words annoyed Jude.He was trying to catch up to Jude when he ran into someone at the end of the corridor."Ah, fancy seeing you here." He was familiar with the man in front of him. "Scarlett's little follower."After hearing what Eric said, Jude stopped short before the hospital entrance and turned around. He looked up and stared at the handsome man expressionlessly before finally calling his name, "Neil Harris."Now that he thought about it, the three of them—Jude, Eric, and Neil—could be considered childhood friends.As children, Scarlet
Neil shoved Eric aside, causing him to stumble backward. After regaining his footing, Eric yelled, "Neil Harris! You're doing this because Scarlett loves Jude, aren't you? It takes two to tango. Cursing Jude just because he doesn't like Scarlett and divorces her? That's too much.""I'm too much?" Neil was a handsome, gentle-looking man, but his expression was currently darker than the night. His chest was heaving as he tried to suppress his anger. He glared at Eric with such intensity that Eric was taken aback. "You..." It was the first time Eric had seen Neil like this."You said you grew up with Scarlett, but have you ever shown concern for her?"Eric straightened his neck and argued, "We grew up together! Of course, we wouldn't just ignore her!""Really?" Neil looked at Eric like he was looking at a joke. "You sure have the gall to say such things. If you truly care for her, then you should have noticed it by now."Neil ended the conversation and left in anger, swiftly disappea