From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 168

Julian didn't want Jade to suffer more gossip because of him.

Jade looked over to see Bert's assistant.

She knew exactly what this was: Bert was coming for her.

"What is it?" Jade asked, her voice steady.

"The Chairman wants to see you. He says it's urgent."

"I'll be there."

Before leaving, Jade looked at Julian and whispered.

"I'll be fine. Don't worry."

She had already planned her defense.

In the past, she would have never thought this many steps ahead.

But the cruelty she had faced recently had forced her to look out for herself and anticipate the fallout of every action.

Thinking three steps ahead was exhausting, but she had no choice.

After being burned so many times, she had to grow up.

Julian watched her walk away, his heart feeling like a lead weight.

Since his mother passed, Jade was the only person who could affect him like this.

Julian pulled a cigarette from his pocket, rolling it between his fingers.

Jeff walked up the stairs. Seeing the cigarette, he pulled out a lighter to light it, but Julian waved him off.

"I'm quitting. I haven't touched one in days."

During their last meeting, he'd noticed Jade didn't like the smell of smoke. Since then, he hadn't touched a cigarette around her.

Only when he was truly agitated would he take one out just to feel it.

"Wow."

Jeff caught the hint immediately and nudged him with an elbow.

"Your grandfather couldn't get you to quit for the sake of your lungs, but you're doing it now? It's for Ms. Merchant, isn't it?"

Julian shoved the cigarette back into his pocket, his expression unreadable. He didn't answer, moving on to business.

"How's the project I gave you coming along?"

Jeff stuttered, "It's in motion. But..."

He hesitated for a long time before continuing.

"Do you have any idea why we were so desperate for this deal? It's because you posted those photos of Hudson and tanked the stock price! The board is breathing down our necks! Can you even begin to pay for the damage you've caused?!"

He was shifting the blame with a perfectly clear conscience.

Jade was used to it. She lowered her lashes, dropping her usual combative stance for a softer, more fragile tone.

"Bert, since you brought up the photos, I have something to say about that too."

The sight of her looking so small and vulnerable cooled Bert's rage slightly, though his expression remained grim.

"Speak! I want to see what kind of fairy tale you've come up with!"

Jade cast a glance toward Amara. The other woman's heart skipped a beat, a sudden wave of anxiety washing over her.

She had to admit, Jade seemed... different today. There was a sharpness to her that felt dangerous.

Jade looked back at Bert, her eyes turning red with unshed tears.

"A little while ago, Ms. Hoyt went up to Mr. Robbins and started talking about how she moved into our new house. She said Hudson was only helping her out of pity. She made me sound like a petty, heartless woman.

"She told him I made her daughter cry on purpose and manipulated Hudson into sending her to the hospital. She called me a bully for picking on a poor widow with a child..."

She let a single tear fall.

"She said it so loudly that all the guests heard her. They already know about the photos, so they started saying I'm just a 'Mrs. Walter' in name only. They said a mistress was lording it over my head in my own home.