Kieran led Julie into the elevator without immediately pressing the floor button, giving Elliot a chance to join them. This was obviously deliberate on Kieran's part.
"Elliot..."
"The party tonight is a trap. Elliot, I need to warn you that Mrs. Sanches is planning to announce your engagement to Bianca at this event." As soon as the elevator doors closed, Julie spilled the beans.
Kieran stood behind Julie and Elliot quietly, giving them enough space and time.
In fact, Elliot already knew about this. Adeline had called him when Julie and Bianca were squabbling in the main hall. He was shocked when Adeline blurted out over the phone, "Your future fiancée is bullying the girl you're sweet on. In other words, Bianca doused herself with red wine and framed Julie. To put it another way, the main purpose of this party is for our stepmother to force you into an engagement with Bianca. I was going to let your girl tell you herself, but it seems she's tied up at the moment."
After that, Adeline hung up. So, Elliot rushed to the hall, only to find that Kieran had already defused the situation.
When the elevator reached the first floor, Kieran walked out without looking at Julie and Elliot. Julie and Elliot also exited the elevator. She knew Kieran was giving her time.
Elliot grabbed Julie's hand, his bright eyes full of anticipation as he asked, "Why did you warn me?"
"That's what your sister wanted me to do." Julie left no room for further speculation.
After a moment of silence, Elliot gradually let go of Julie's hand, but still asked persistently, "So you're really telling me this not because you care about me? Not even from a friend's perspective or a stranger's perspective?"
"No, I just don't like Bianca, and I didn't want her to have her way," Julie lied smoothly, showing no signs of deceit even in front of Elliot.
Although she denied it verbally, Julie's decision to tell Elliot the news had nothing to do with Bianca. Even though she didn't love Elliot, she knew that she told him the news out of concern for him. But she chose to lie with a poker face.
Elliot stared at Julie, trying to find any flaw in her expression, but all he saw was her calm and indifferent eyes. His heart suddenly turned cold.
After a while, Elliot looked at her cautiously and said, "Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I might be heading to Ray Group's overseas branch soon. Would you want me to stay?"
Julie saw the expectation in his eyes, but she didn't say anything. She turned to leave. Elliot grabbed her arm again. She turned around, and he let go.
"You know, if you showed the slightest bit of interest, I would stay for you. No matter how many challenges lay ahead, no matter how great the obstacles are between us, if you're willing to take a step towards me, I'll come running..."
"Bon voyage." Julie cut off Elliot's unsaid confession and decisively walked away.
Elliot had never tried to hold onto anyone or anything in such a humble way. When he saw Julie walk away, he stood still, lost in thought for a while. But he had a hunch about all this. He understood Julie, knowing that she would never approach him.
She had given her youth, her persistence, her love and hate to another man. In Elliot's heart, Julie was always like a wolf, albeit a tame one. Wolves mated for life. Once she had chosen a lover, she would be loyal to him for life, whether she loved him or hated him.
There was no first come, first served in the world of love. Love was about fate, and Elliot knew he could never be with Julie.
After spacing out for a while, Elliot finally shook off his empty gaze and said coldly to a pillar, "Come out!"
Adeline, who was hiding behind the pillar, looked around and then at herself. Such a big pillar should’ve been able to hide her thin body!
"Cough, cough!" Adeline awkwardly walked out from behind the pillar. She smiled at Elliot, "Yo, Elliot, what a coincidence!"
"What coincidence?" Elliot glared at Adeline. "What did you hear?"
Adeline casually walked up to Elliot, tiptoed, and put her arm around Elliot's shoulder. "I heard everything. Don't worry, I won't blab about your love life."
Elliot looked at Adeline, clearly not believing her.
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