Chapter 24

The wrinkle of worry on Julian’s face gradually smoothed out as his eyes grew darker. He locked gazes with the woman standing before him. “Are you… Are you threatening me?” he seethed.

“I only want what I rightfully deserve.” Seraphina’s demand was modest. She had no intention of becoming greedy, but she was resolute on not relinquishing what was hers anymore.

“Humph…” Julian scoffed, and his gesture was nonchalant-He pulled at the tie around his neck, which seemed to be suffocating him, and unbuttoned another button on his shirt. Then, placing his hands on his waist, he towered over Seraphina, looking down at her. “What you deserve? What exactly? For years, wasn’t it me who covered all your expenses and even paid your rent? What else do you think you deserve?”

Seraphina observed the man standing before her: a face she knew so well and yet, at that moment, found so strange. The absurdity of it all struck her.

This man was unreasonable. He didn’t even feel guilty at all. Seraphina didn’t feel anger towards Julian; she was incensed at herself. ‘How could I have been so blinded? How did I fall so deeply for such a man? Why couldn’t I see his true colors before?’ She chastised herself.

Seeing Seraphina fall silent, Julian assumed her guilt and continued his tirade. “Don’t inflate your importance just because you developed a few perfumes. Who do you think supplied the ingredients?

Who rented the lab? Could you have accomplished anything. without my support?”

Seraphina slowly lifted her gaze to meet his and stated, “So, you do admit that most of Prosperian Company’s perfumes were created by me?”

“Yes, but so what? Without the company managing operations, marketing, and promotions, could the perfumes have sold as well as they did?” Julian exclaimed, filled with arrogance and confidence, as if his statements were incontrovertible.

However, Seraphina chose not to counter Julian’s flawed logic. She simply gave him a pliant smile and stated, “In that case, there’s no point in us continuing this argument.”

With those words, she turned and began to walk away, having fulfilled her purpose, and no longer feeling the need to bicker with Julian.

But Julian didn’t plan on letting her go that easily. “Wait!”

As Julian quickly lunged at her, grabbing for her, he only managed to latch onto the hem of her clothes.

In his forceful pull, something tumbled out from her pocket.

Julian was stunned for a second and subconsciously reached out to pick it up, Seraphina was faster.

She had already picked it up and held it in her hand.

but “You were recording?” Julian gaped at Seraphina, unable to hide his disbelief. Never did he envision the ever-obedient and naive woman he knew to resort to such a tactic.

“Give it to me!” Julian’s face darkened at once, and he wanted to take the recorder.

Seraphina wouldn’t allow that to happen. She clenched the recorder and took two steps back. “What are you afraid of if you haven’t done anything wrong?”

Thwarted in his attempt to recover the recorder, Julian glowered at Scraphina and finally stopped his pursuit. He then shrugged and shot her a smug smile. “How naive of you! You think a simple recording can upset the balance? I could argue that you’ve doctored this recording, or manipulated me into saying those things. Moreover, did I think I wouldn’t be prepared for such situations?”

“Alright, then. I’ll see you in court!” Seraphina nodded. As soon as she turned around, someone came up behind her.

Seraphina looked back and saw that Julian was still standing there. He unhurriedly took out a cigarette from the inner pocket of his suit, lit it slowly, and took a puff.

Since Julian was so calm, he must have prepared to keep Seraphina here.

“Are you prepared to resort to force?” Seraphina asked, her eyebrows raised in challenge.

“I had no intentions of using such measures on you. After all, we’ve spent many years together, haven’t we?” Julian drawled. Holding his lit cigarette in one hand, scratching his head with the other, he advanced towards her. “But… I’ve tried my best to convince you, clarified everything at stake, yet you continue being stubborn and noncompliant. I guess it’s time to let you cool off. We can talk it over once you’ve given it more thought.”

After saying that, Julian raised his chin and signaled other people. Then he turned around.

He didn’t need to do such a simple thing himself.

Behind him, the sounds of scuffling broke out. Annoyed by the approaching noises of disorder, Julian was about to command his men to refrain from creating a commotion.

‘Surely two b*dyguards could control one woman without creating such a ruckus?’ Julian thought.

But before he could fully turn around, Julian came to an abrupt halt, frozen on the spot.

O 14:16 Wed, 31 Jan DS A sharp wind timesed by Julian’s face, and a sharp dagger was pul near his neck almost at the same time.

The cold, cruel glint from the blade testified to its deadly sharpness, making one thing- evident this was no toy. Cold sweat broke out on Julian, his teeth chattering from the chilling dread. “What… What are you doing?”

“That should be my question,” Seraphina said coldly.

At this moment, Seraphina wasn’t weak at all but was extremely fierce.

“How did you… Julian said hesitatingly and became more confused.

Julian felt trapped in a surreal nightmare, his reality morphing into something unrecognizable. The woman he had known for five years and loved for three, was slowly becoming a stranger. He doubted whether this was the same Seraphina he knew. Did they just happen to share the same name and was this all a cruel confluence?

“How did I know how to fight?” Seraphina finished Julian’s question for him. Then she sneered, “Thanks to you.”

Julian was dumbstruck, unable to comprehend Seraphina’s words. But the cold metal on his skin was a harsh slice of reality, forcing him to address the dire situation at hand. “Calm down! It’s dangerous.

First, let’s drop the weapon.”

“Julian, I am clear about what I want. Return what is mine, and we’ll be even. It’s simple!” Seraphina’s gaze was unrelenting, full of scorn for Julian’s scared, sweat-soaked face.

“Okay. Deal!”

As soon as Julian said that, the pressure on his neck eased at once. When he calmed down and looked up again, he could only see a figure that had gone away.

His two b*dyguards laid motionless on the floor, powerless against Seraphina’s. unexpected prowess.

“Da mn it!” Julian cursed under his breath, feeling more anxiety. than anger at the moment. He felt things would be trickier than he initially anticipated since his usual approach of sweet talk failed to sway Seraphina.

On her way out, Seraphina flexed her wrist, planning to hail a cab home. ‘I haven’t practiced fighting skills in quite a while. I’m a bit rusty now. My hand aches just taking down two guards. It’s clear how much I’ve given up for Julian. But now, it’s time to reclaim what’s mine!” she mused.

Seraphina was about to hail a cab when a car parked nearby flashed its high beams at her. She shielded her eyes, squinting against the bright light. Recognizing the car, she heaved a sigh of relief, ‘He’s here!’

14:16 Wed, 31 Jan DG.