Chapter 265
Olivia Lopez glanced at the messy dishes on the table.
She frowned.
She should have made that man clean up before leaving.
She made a call.
"Schedule a housekeeper for two hours."
"Full house cleaning."
"Focus on the sofa."
Julian Winston slammed the door shut behind him.
He sped down the road at ninety miles per hour.
He stormed into his apartment.
Tore off his clothes.
Stepped into the shower.
The water rushed over his body.
But it couldn't wash away her scent.
Faint yet persistent.
Lingering in his nostrils.
He kicked the sofa.
Thump—
Images flashed in his mind.
Entangled on the couch.
Wild in the bedroom.
That woman was all fire and passion last night.
This morning, cold as ice.
She ate the instant noodles he cooked.
Then completely dismissed him.
He kicked the sofa again.
A dull thud echoed.
"Even you're against me?"
He pulled out his phone.
Blocked all her contacts.
Tossed the phone onto the sofa.
The doorbell suddenly rang.
Julian's heart skipped a beat.
Hmph. Coming to apologize now?
She'll have to beg.
Plead softly.
Then he might consider forgiving her.
He yanked the door open.
"Do you know you were wron—"
Isabella Langley stood at the doorway.
She smiled gently.
"Wrong about what?"
Julian's heart sank.
"Mom. Why are you here?"
"Who else were you expecting? Olivia? She said you weren't with her."
Julian collapsed onto the sofa.
Listless.
"Why do you look so dejected?"
"I'm not."
"You sound completely drained."
Julian turned his face away.
"What do you need?"
Isabella took out a jewelry box.
Laid the pieces out in a row.
"Give these to Olivia. Say they're from me."
Julian frowned.
"She might not even want them."
"Don't be ridiculous."
Isabella glared at him.
"She's the daughter-in-law I've chosen."
Julian's nose tingled.
He turned around, crossing his arms.
"She has high standards. I don't meet them."
"Olivia has every right to pursue something better."
Isabella nodded.
"You're just lying there like a lazy snake."
Julian bristled.
"I'm your own son!"
"I know. Don't break my heart."
She pushed the jewelry box toward him.
"Give these to Olivia soon."
Julian stayed silent.
Isabella pinched his ear.
"Did you hear me?"
"Ouch! Yes, I heard!"
"Bring Olivia to the tea tasting next weekend."
Julian's eyes darted away.
"Is that necessary?"
"You must bring her."
Isabella picked up her purse and stood.
"Remember to call her."
The door closed.
Julian's head throbbed with pain.
Olivia Lopez continued her usual routine.
Work.
Clubbing.
Playing tennis.
Life went on as normal.
Except for one thing.
Nina White called.
"Vivi, bring Julian Winston home to meet us."
Olivia held the phone away from her ear.
"The signal's bad. Let's talk later."
She hung up.
Smooth and effortless.
She stared at her cocktail.
Ms. Nina White was very pleased with Julian.
Too bad it's over.
Finding the next suitable partner would be hard.
She should have held back that night.
Lost a high-quality collaborator.
Sophia Sullivan knew nothing about this.
Professor Eleanor Watson had taken her to a conference in Shanghai.
They returned after five days.
She went straight to the lab.
The door was locked.
Hannah Morse and Marcus Lawrence sat in the hallway.
They looked like two lost puppies.