Chapter 340
Julian’s heart was pounding. He was worried she’d be angry when she saw him, that she’d think he was following her. But he had his own business here. He didn’t know why, but ever since their relationship had shifted, he’d felt a growing unease. Maybe it was his ambition taking root, an impatience to push things forward.
He wanted their bond to be as solid as a rock, unbreakable. But he also knew he couldn’t rush it. He had to take it one step at a time. He’d already waited ten years; another twenty would be nothing.
“Sir, we’ve arrived.”
Julian stepped out of the car. He wore a bespoke black suit with a subtle, dark jacquard pattern that shimmered under the lights. He was tall and elegant, with a refined, striking presence. He moved with a quiet grace that was both gentle and commanding.
His arrival turned heads, and whispers followed him until he was graciously escorted toward the VIP entrance. It was clear he was someone important.
Thorn Noir spotted Julian the moment he got out of his own car and felt a surge of irritation. Where the hell did this guy come from?
So insufferable. He seemed to be everywhere.
Thorn strode after him, only to be stopped by security. “I’m sorry, Mr. Noir, but you can’t use this entrance.”
“What? What do you mean I can’t? Do you have any idea who I am? Why can’t I go this way?” Thorn was indignant. Why could Julian go through, but not him?
“Apologies, Mr. Noir, but it’s our policy. This entrance is reserved for specific guests. Please use the main entrance. Don’t make our jobs more difficult.”
Thorn was fuming. He, Thorn Noir, a member of the Noir family, couldn’t even use a particular walkway.
“And what if I insist on using this path?” Thorn pressed, his tone challenging.
“Well, Mr. Noir, if you insist, I suppose you can,” the staff member replied calmly.
Thorn’s expression instantly softened at their apparent concession. “That’s more like it,” he started, about to tell them to get out of the way.
But the guard continued, “I’ll just need to clear it with Miss Hazel Noir first.”
The mention of Hazel’s name made Thorn raise a hand to stop him. “You know, this path isn’t that special after all. I’ll just go that way.”
With that, he turned and walked briskly away.
Hazel was seated in the most prominent spot in the room, and Julian saw her immediately. When the host invited him to a designated seat, Julian waved him off. “No, thank you. I’ll sit here.”
“Of course, Mr. Ford. I’ll have someone bring you some refreshments.”
Thorn saw Hazel’s partner, Victor Noir, and his expression cooled. Victor spotted him and approached, with Eleanor Yeast in tow.
“Thorn, what took you so long? Eleanor has been waiting for you,” Victor said.
Thorn sat down without giving her so much as a glance, his face a mask of indifference. "Victor," Julian said.
Eleanor clasped her hands and stepped forward shyly. She knew Thorn had no feelings for her, but she couldn’t stop her heart from racing.
"Don't worry, we'll make sure you get what you deserve."
Thorn sat down without giving her so much as a glance. He had no desire to fight Hazel for anything. But he’d been maneuvered into this position, forced into opposition against her.
He knew her objective: to use him as bait to root out the disloyal members of the family.
And he had no complaints about it.
"Thorn, I took the liberty of asking your parents to coordinate, in your name," Victor said.