Chapter 15
The scream cut off abruptly.
Julia’s gaze turned cold as she reached for the car door. Sebastian’s hand was still pressed against it, and he hadn’t moved an inch.
His dark eyes were fixed on the now–silent phone screen, brows furrowed like he was trying to figure something out.
Julia’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Mr. Holt, shouldn’t you be off playing hero? If you wait too long, your damsel might get hurt.”
She’d seen this trick from Penelope more times thim she could count.
Every time Sebastian got one of those calls, no matter what else was going on, he’d drop everything and rush to her side.
At Julia’s words, Sebastian’s gaze flicked up to her, emotions storming behind his eyes. The look he gave her said it all–he thought she was being ⠀⠀⠀umervasonable again.
Julia felt a tightness in her chest, but she didn’t let it show.
She tugged at the car door, voice sharp with impatience. “Well? Why are you still here, Mr. Holt? What, getting tired of Penelope using the same move over and over?”
Sebastian held her gaze for a long moment, then finally turned away.
Without a word, he pulled out his phone to call Penelope back and strode quickly to his car
His engine roared to life, and he tore out of the parking lot at top speed
Julia had only half–opened her car door. She stood there, watching until his car disappeared completely from sight. Only then did she look away.
She couldn’t quite name what she was feeling. She just stood there, frozen, for a good 30 seconds before finally sliding into the driver’s seat.
“Stri, call Quinn”
Julia drove slowly out of the parking lot, no more hesitation in her movements as the call rang through
quian picked up quickly, his voice brisk and focused, like he was juggling another case,
“Push the Portvale case to next Monday. Lia, did Sebastian sign the divorce papers? What’s the status?”
“Quinn, file for divorce,” Julia said, her tone calm and firm. There was no small talk, no hesitation.
There was a short pause on the other end before Quinn responded, steady and clear. “Got it. I’ll handle it personally.
Meanwhile, Sebastian rushed to Penelope’s apartment. The front door had been splashed with red paint, making it look ominous and threatening. “Get out! Don’t come any closer!”
The door had been kicked in, and two burly thugs had comered Penelope against the wall, leering at her with malicious intent.
When Sebastian arrived, she was curled up in a ball in the commer, shaking with fedr.
“Damn, that old gambling Addict never mentioned he had a daughter this pretty. Should’ve said so sooner.”
“Heh! Sweetheart, your daddy owes as money, you’re gonna have to pay it off for him.”
Sebastian’s gaze turned icy cold. Without a word, be charged in and started throwing punches,
The two men, more bark than bite, stumbled back with shouts of pain, already thinking about running.
“Who the hell are you to her?
“You’re going to regret this!” they yelled as they fled down the stairs.
Sebastian was about to press them for how much her father owed, but Penelope suddenly threw herself into his arms.
so scared…!!
Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. “Mr. Holt. I was so
Sebastian froze. He looked down to see her pale lace buried against him, teas streaming like a facet
He didn’t even want to think about what might’ve happened if he hadn’t arrived in time,
“You’re safe now,” he said quietly.
He wasn’t good at comfort, so he awkwardly parted her shoulder.
And then, his mind wandered to Julia. Did she even know how many times Penelope had been dragged into danger by her gambling–addict father? How close she’d come to being hurt?
ore had been through?
As a woman bersell, couldn’t Julia at least try to understand what Penelope)
The more he thought about Julia’s recent behavior, the more his head ache
It was one thing to be angry with him, but now she didn’t even care aliout Xavier?
That evening, Julia stayed busy getting back into work mode.
By the time Haley came home from her job, she had found Julia still typing away on her laptop. After a quick chat, the two decided to go out for a barbecue.
“I had Quinn send Sebastian the court summons,” Julia said while flipping slices of beef on the grill.
Haley took a bite, immediately fanning her mouth from the heat, her tone full of righteous fury.
“That scumbag still thinks he can drag this out? Should’ve sued his cheating ass sooner! Filthy dog of a man!”
