Not long after she returned, a courier delivered a brand-new phone. Lily recognized it from a massive advertisement in a mall. It was a top-of-the-line model, both in terms of features and design, making it exorbitantly priced. There was only one number saved in it. Naturally, who else could it be but Julian Sterling? Holding the phone, she felt as if she was holding a piece of molten rock, something that could destroy her with a mere touch. For three consecutive days, Lily didn't turn on the phone. She called home to tell her mother that her phone had been stolen and then spent her days in her dorm room, lost in thought. Aria found her behavior odd, but despite her inquiries, Lily remained silent, leaving Aria to respect her wishes. Who would want to revisit such a shameful and humiliating experience? Lily didn't want to think or do anything. She felt like a zombie. Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the knowing look from the lady at the pharmacy when she picked up the m

As per the schedule, the field trip group was set to visit the Wood Carving Mansion on the west side of the town today. It was said that during the Republic era, a favored concubine of a warlord had once lived there. The mansion also boasted a prized piano, which had everyone buzzing with excitement. They were all eager to feast their eyes on these historical treasures. However, Lily Parker felt an inexplicable unease, a sense of foreboding that she couldn't shake off. Using the excuse of feeling car sick, she decided to stay behind.Lily had barely lain down when she heard a knock on her door. Assuming it was Nathan Brooks, who had brought her some medicine earlier, she absentmindedly began speaking as she opened the door, "Nathan, is there something else?""Did you let that boy into your room?"The icy tone of the voice made Lily shiver involuntarily. Her first instinct was to shut the door, but how could her feeble strength match that of an enraged man?Julian Sterling quickly push

Wrapping his arm around Lily, Julian said with a smile, "This place is quieter and more rustic. The previous town was too commercialized, overcrowded. I couldn't tell if we were there to see people or the scenery. Didn't you find it stifling?"Lily thought to herself, *Anywhere without you would be paradise.*She remained silent, her face expressionless. Julian glanced at her coldly, leading her through the alleyways. In front of some old houses, locals set up stalls selling unique items from the town—embroidery, food, clothing, and more. As they passed a shop selling wooden clogs, they happened upon a young couple having a disagreement.The girl pouted, "I want to buy them! Walking on the wet stone paths after the rain in these would be so fun."The boy shook his head, "No. Haven't you heard? If a man gifts shoes to a woman, they'll drift apart. It's bad luck for the relationship. If you want them, buy them yourself."The girl immediately fell silent.Lily felt a dull pain in her wri

In the dim light of dawn, Julian Sterling felt a chill. The comforting warmth that had lulled him to sleep was gone. Half-awake, he opened his eyes to find that Lily Parker was no longer nestled in his embrace. Instead, she was curled up on the edge of the bed, perilously close to falling off, as if she had erected a barrier between them. Displeased by the distance she had put between them, he impulsively pulled her back to his side.   His pull wasn't forceful, and she didn't wake. She merely made a small noise of discomfort, scrunching her nose. In the process, the buttons of her pajamas had come undone, revealing a patch of delicate skin, as luminous as the finest white jade. He swallowed hard, unable to take his eyes off her.   Any man who doesn't react to such a sight is either a saint or impotent.  

After escorting Lily Parker to the apartment, Julian Sterling hurried off to the club he frequented, where Dylan Hayes, Tristan Caldwell, and Lucas Hartley were already waiting for him. Upon entering the room, Julian casually tossed his coat onto the sofa and took a seat at the bar, immediately inquiring, "What's the situation?" Dylan passed him a glass of red wine and nodded towards the documents on the table, patiently explaining, "We've gathered all the intel we could. Victor Blackwood bit off more than he could chew and now he's choking on it." Tristan, with a sly grin, clapped Julian on the shoulder and teased, "Don't tell me you're the one who stabbed him in the back? After all, he's been crying foul all over town lately, always trying to trip you up..."