Chapter 560
Chapter 560
Julia's eyes flashed when she looked him in the eyes. "Let's talk about this another time," she said softly.
Julia could finally let down the weight she had been carrying now that Royden Group was saved.
"Ivan, let me take you out for a meal to express my thanks."
Things wouldn't have gone so smoothly if it weren't for Ivan's help. She also wanted an excuse not to go home as she knew Edgar and Jean would have a lot to talk about tonight.
"Sure. What do you want to eat?" He asked happily. He was fine as long as Julia stayed and did not avoid him.
"Let's go to a bar. I wonder if that alley bar is still open," Julia said as she stared into the distance.Text © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.
Ivan immediately knew the place she was talking about. He nodded his head and said, "It is. I was there a few days ago."
Julia's eyes soften. "I can't believe you remember after all these years."
"I will never forget the things you like."
Ivan buckled his seatbelt and drove away.
Ivan did not know Julia had another motive when she asked him for dinner. She arrived home late at night, reeking of alcohol. She thought no one was home as Jean should be at Royden Residence. She did not expect the chandelier in the living room to light up the moment she stepped into the house.
Jean was sitting on a couch. She shot Julia a fierce look and said, “Aunt Julia, tell me you didn't stay out so late just to avoid me."
Julia's heart jumped, and she hastily shook her head. "Of course not, Jean. Why would I avoid you? I just ran into a few old friends, so we chatted till now."
Julia pretended as though nothing was out of the blue. She faked a yawn and walked toward her room, but Jean's gaze followed her. “Aunt Julia, how did you and Uncle Bolt meet?"
What was bound to come came.
Julia cleared her throat and turned back to look at Jean. "It's been too long. I can't remember."
Even at this point, Julia was adamant about not telling the truth.
Jean sighed tiredly, "Should I jolt your memory? You met him sixteen years ago and left this country because of him."
The color on Julia's face slowly faded, and unhappiness started to show.
"Why do you ask if you know about it?"
Jean rubbed her temple resignedly. "Auntie, you don't have to go do that extent for me."
Jean didn't understand why someone as free-spirited as her aunt, who advised her to let go and think more about herself and not let things hold her down, would make such a big sacrifice to save Royden Group and Eyer Group. No matter what happened, Julia had been overseas for so many years and even married. Yet, she returned single and did not contact any of her old friends. It was apparent she did not plan to stay but made an exception for Edgar and Jean.
Julia raised her head and looked Jean in her eyes. She waved her hands casually and said, "Alright, alright. You're looking at me like I did something amazing. I just asked, and he agreed. It's that simple."
Jean did not want to pressure her.
"Aunt Julia, how about you have a cup of tea to sober up?" Edgar asked as he came out of the kitchen. He was waiting for them to finish their conversation.
Julia's eyes widened into saucers when she heard how he addressed her. "What did you call me?"
Edgar had no time to explain. Julia started to ramble, "Just because I asked an old friend to invest in your company doesn't mean I approve of your remarriage."
Julia was drinking the tea Edgar brewed and eating the fruits he washed. Yet, she still bad-mouthed him.
"Consider yourself lucky. I wouldn't have let Jean associate with you if you became poor. You wouldn't be worth becoming the son-in-law of the Eyer family," Julia said as she fanned herself. The stench of alcohol rolled off her.
"How about you head up to your room, Aunt Julia?" Edgar suggested. He did not want Jean to breathe in the alcoholic fumes.
Julia yawned. "Alright. I won't bother you guys anymore," she said as she took the fruits upstairs.
Jean sighed wearily, "She made herself drunk just to avoid the question."
It was the only way Julia could think of.
Edgar took out the milk and fruits he had prepared and started peeling the apples. “Everyone has a hidden past. Maybe it would be better if we pretended not to know."
Jean knew that would be best, but she couldn't do that. She wouldn't have involved Julia if Ivan's ex-wife and daughter hadn't come to look for her. She had no right to dictate an elder like Julia.
"Let's just see how things go. Don't tire yourself over this." Edgar placed the cut apple before her. He looked at his watch and commented, "It's past your bedtime. You should go to bed in half an hour."
Jean huffed.
The apple in her mouth lost its sweetness.
The following day, Jean was woken up by her ringtone. It was Queenie Bolt, Ivan's daughter, calling. Jean picked up the call.
"I don't care what you do; you have to return my dad's money to me! Otherwise, I will sue you!" Queenie screamed from the other end of the phone.
There came a day when she would be threatened early in the morning.
She took into consideration who it was. Since Ivan had helped Royden Group, she should respond in kind.
"Ms. Bolt, I've talked to you about this. Uncle Bolt..." She said patiently but was cut off by Queenie.
"How dare you call him uncle! My
dad has nothing to do with you! Don't try to act close! Your shameless aunt used my dad's feelings for her to steal that money. Do you think it makes sense to invest millions into some project?"
It was too noisy over the phone. Jean was already feeling a headache coming on.
Edgar came and took the phone from her.
"Ms. Bolt, come to Royden Group if there's something to discuss. I'll get a lawyer to deal with this if you call again," he said coldly.
"You..." Queenie started but couldn't finish as Edgar had hung up on her.
Jean felt her head clear when the noise stopped.
"Only you would."
"Let's go have breakfast." Edgar reached out to pull her out of bed. However, when his hand met her body, he realized she was burning with a fever.
"Go get changed. We're going to the hospital."
Jean held onto him with two hands. "Don't overreact. It's probably because I just got up."