Chapter 4

Logan's words woke me up. I immediately started preparing my transfer applications with him.

We stopped going to school altogether.

With me actively avoiding him, Julian didn't show up in front of me again.

Finally, Logan and I boarded a plane to Europe.

A month later, I had fully adjusted to my new life in Scotland. I excitedly shared some news with Logan:

"There's a prestigious mathematics competition group here! If I get in, the scholarship will cover my entire tuition!"

He encouraged me to go for it.

To step out of Julian's shadow and prove my own worth, I studied day and night, barely even remembering to eat.

My hard work paid off. A senior student, Austin, said he would introduce me to the head of the competition group.

I thought everything was finally going my way.

Until I saw Julian again.

He was the head of the competition group.

Austin patted my shoulder warmly. "You should have told me you knew the legendary Julian Vance! He specifically requested you to join. But hey, your test scores are actually amazing!"

My entire body began to shake uncontrollably.

Julian's voice sounded like a demon whispering in my ear: "Long time no see, Chloe."

"From now on, you'll be my personal assistant."

With that, he dropped a heavy laundry bag right in front of me. "Please wash these for me."

My hands and feet went icy cold. I looked at him, practically begging. "Why? Why do you have to humiliate me like this?"

That familiar, confused look returned to his eyes. "Chloe, isn't it good for us to be together like we used to be?"

As I spiraled into fear and anger, Vivian pushed the door open with a sweet smile.

"Am I late? We should start the meeting to discuss the thesis problem."

Austin nudged me. "Hey, snap out of it! It's meeting time."

But Julian stopped me from entering the conference room.

"She isn't attending the meeting," Julian said flatly. "She needs to stay out here and do my laundry."

Vivian smiled and explained to Austin, "Austin, you didn't know? Chloe is Julian's exclusive assistant! Why else do you think he brought her into this elite group?"

Under Austin's strange, judgmental gaze, I fled the building, humiliated once again.

Logan was waiting for me at the entrance, holding a bouquet of red roses. The moment he saw me, his smile faded.

"Hey, it's your first day with the group, I was worried you wouldn't get used to..."

Seeing my pale face, I threw myself into his arms, sobbing. His expression darkened.

"What happened? Who messed with you?"

"Logan," I cried out, "it's Julian. He's here. He's at this university too!"

"How is that possible?!"

I didn't understand either. He was supposed to be at Beacon University in the US. I had literally moved across the ocean, choosing a completely different country, yet he was still here.

Julian, who was supposed to be in the meeting, walked out of the building. He stared dead at Logan and called out to me:

"Chloe, get over here."

Logan shielded me behind his back. "She's resigning from the group. She doesn't have to listen to you anymore."

"Chloe belongs to me," Julian said, his eyes filled with dark, obsessive possession.

Logan patted my back comfortingly.

"She doesn't belong to you. She's my girlfriend."

"And I want you to stay the hell away from her. Stop harassing my girlfriend."

Austin, who had followed Julian out, looked utterly shocked. "Julian! Are you seriously chasing after a girl who has a boyfriend? And making her do your laundry?!"

"Dude, that is incredibly messed up!"

But Julian looked genuinely blank. "Messed up?"

"Of course it's messed up! They're dating, they're probably going to get married and spend their lives together. Stop trying to ruin their relationship."

When the words "get married" and "spend their lives together" registered in Julian's brain, his eyes suddenly turned bloodshot.

He took a step forward, trying to grab my hand.

"Chloe is mine. She can only marry me."