Chapter 5

Julian Lennox POV

Inside the ward, the atmosphere was warm and peaceful. Outside, however, was a tense, deathly silence.

I leaned against the cold wall, my bespoke suit wrinkled, my shirt still stained with the blood Zoe Vance had coughed up last night. My eyes were heavily bloodshot as I stared fixedly at the tightly closed door of the ward.

Last night, I had been the one who held a blood-soaked Zoe, speeding all the way to the hospital. The moment I watched her get wheeled into the emergency room, it felt like my world was collapsing. I stayed outside the room all night, and only when the doctor announced she was out of danger did I feel like I could breathe again.

But when I was ready to go in and see her, my mother arrived with Adrian Carter, ruthlessly blocking me at the door.

"Mom, let me go in and see her." My voice was terribly raspy. I was like a cornered beast, suppressing an eruption of raw emotion.

"See her? In what capacity would you see her?" She looked at me coldly, her eyes filled with disappointment and anger. "As her former boss? Or as the master who almost drove her to her death? Julian, don't you think you've hurt her enough already?"

"I didn't want to drive her to death! I only..." I wanted to defend myself, but the words felt hollow and weak. I just didn't want her to leave; I just wanted her to be obedient. How could I have known she would go to such extremes!

"You've just grown used to trampling on her dignity, used to her limitless tolerance!" Clara Lennox exposed me bluntly. "Now, she has finally found her own happiness. Adrian is a good man; he will cherish Zoe. I'm warning you, do not disturb her happiness again! You have no right!"

"Happiness? With that bespectacled piece of trash?" I was nearly going mad with jealousy. Through the glass window of the door, I watched Adrian hold Zoe's hand, saw her offer him a tender smile I had never once seen before.

That smile was like a poisoned blade, ruthlessly gouging out my eyes and carving up my heart.

"Is he even worthy of marrying Zoe? Zoe is mine..." I gnashed my teeth, punching my fists against the wall.

"Is she your what?" Clara took a step closer, staring straight at me. "Julian, answer me honestly. Have you fallen for Zoe? Do you love her?"

I shuddered violently, as if my most fatal weakness had been pierced. Love her? I was the president of the Lennox Group. I had everything I ever wanted. How could I fall in love with a servant's daughter? If I admitted it, what did my ten years of superiority mean? What of my pride?

I gritted my teeth, my jawline tensing. After a long while, I squeezed a cold sentence out of my throat. "Mom, you're overthinking it. How could I possibly like her? To me, she's nothing more than a convenient servant."

*Slap!*

Clara trembled with rage as she delivered a fierce slap to my face. "You bastard! If she's just a servant, then who are you putting on this disgusting show for right now? Get out! I don't have such a heartless son!"

Clara spun around and stormed off in anger, leaving me standing frozen. The stinging pain on my cheek was nothing compared to the empty void and panic rapidly consuming my heart.

"Julian! Why are you here? What happened to your face?"

A sharp female voice pierced the dead silence of the hallway. Vanessa Shaw hurried over in her high heels. Seeing the slap mark on my face, she shrieked in distress and threw herself into my arms.

"Did that bitch Zoe Vance do this? She is way too shameless, actually daring to lay a hand on you!" Vanessa hugged my waist tightly, but I caught a fleeting glint of triumph in her eyes.

I was frustrated by the cloying scent of her perfume. I frowned and was about to push Vanessa away when the ward door suddenly clicked open from the inside.