When Velma mentioned Sydney, her voice became shrill.
Julien had already reached the stairway. When he heard Velma's words, he immediately narrowed his eyes, stopped in his tracks, and then turned around.
Velma didn’t expect Julien to turn around. Seeing the sullen expression on Julien's face, Velma tensed up and she muttered, "Julien, you..."
"Mom, I know you don't like Sydney, and I can understand that because everyone has their own preferences. I told you before that I won't expect you to like Sydney, but please don't show your hatred for her in front of me. Sydney is my wife and I will not allow anyone to hurt her. Do you understand?"
He looked at Velma with somber eyes.
Velma bowed her head and muttered, "I get it."
"You got it, but you always forget it." Julien snapped, "Sydney never offended you. What good does it do you to hate her so much?"
The corners of Velma's mouth twitched, but she didn't say anything.
Surely, she knew it wouldn't do her any good to target Sydney, but she was an arrogant woman. She was Julien's stepmother, but Sydney had embarrassed her several times before, so she held a grudge against Sydney.
Every time she saw or thought of Sydney, she subconsciously picked on Sydney.
Seeing Velma being silent, Julien rubbed his temples and said, "All right. Remember you promised me before that you would never do anything to Sydney."
"Yes, and I never did anything to her. I just criticized her." Velma muttered.
If she wanted to do something to Sydney, she would have done it already. She wouldn't have waited until now.
Besides, she remembered that Julien had warned her before that if she ever hurt Sydney, he would send her to another residence, so she would never disturb Sydney again. Literally, that would be kicking Velma out of the family.
Therefore, Velma did not dare to do anything to Sydney. She only picked on her from time to time.
"You can't criticize her either." Julien didn't know what was going through Velma's mind.
He said in a stern voice, "I have never criticized her. How can anyone else criticize her? Sydney will not live in the same house with you, now or ever. Leave her alone. Don't say a word about Sydney again."
Velma nodded even though she wasn't happy inside.
Julien then turned around and went upstairs.
Velma stood there, stomped her feet, and then went back to the couch.
Velma didn't sit on the couch for long before she saw Julien coming down from upstairs with a jewelry box in his hand.
Seeing the jewelry box, Velma immediately got up, walked over to Julien, and asked, "Julien, what is this?"
Julien opened the jewelry box and showed it to her. "A set of sapphire jewelry."
The jewelry was so fascinating that Velma couldn't take her eyes off it. She reached out to touch it.
Seeing her intention, Julien bluntly closed the box.
How could he let anyone touch the jewelry he was giving Sydney, especially a woman Sydney didn't like?
Velma didn't expect Julien to abruptly close the box. She was dumbfounded. It took her a few moments to come back to her senses. She looked at Julien incredulously and asked, "Julien, can't I see it?"
"It's getting late. I should go now." Julien did not answer her question. He put the jewelry box away and prepared to leave.
Velma stopped him. "Why did you give Sydney the jewelry? It's so precious. Are you sure you want to give it to her?"
Velma wore a concerned expression.
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