Chapter 31

The moment their eyes met, Edward felt a crushing pressure descend, as if an invisible force had sucked the air from his lungs. Julian's imposing aura was overwhelming; Edward's confidence wavered, his momentum faltering under the weight of Julian's silent dominance.

Julian arched a brow, his voice laced with an icy edge. "Edward, are you accusing me of siding with my wife to bully my sister-in-law?"

Edward was caught off guard. His lips parted, but before he could respond, his gaze met Julian's brooding, piercing eyes, shrouded in an ominous chill. Unease crept up his spine.

Julian shifted, leaning back against the sofa in a lazy yet commanding posture. His broad frame stretched effortlessly across the space; his arm, casually draped over the couch back, nearly encircled Rosalie's shoulders. The gesture appeared intimate, as if he were protectively pulling her into his orbit.

"If I were siding with my sister-in-law against my wife," Julian continued, his voice smooth yet dominant, "shouldn't that be your real concern?"

His tone was calm, almost leisurely, but unmistakably sharp. Even his smile did nothing to ease the suffocating tension; no one dared return it.

Julian's gaze flickered over Edward. His voice, light yet unsettling, continued, "Or perhaps, are you hoping I would help my sister-in-law bully my wife?"

The words weren't spoken in anger, but their weight sent a jolt of fear through the Graham family. All three stiffened, momentarily frozen.

Edward's brows twitched. He did want Julian to rebuke Rosalie for humiliating Helena, but he couldn't admit that now.

"Julian, that's not what I meant," Edward said stiffly, forcing a strained smile. His frustration simmered, but he dared not show it. "Don't you think Rosalie's words were a bit too much?"

Julian turned to Rosalie, who sat unbothered. His eyes darkened as he murmured, "Too much?"

Chapter 32