CHAPTER 237: CHAPTER 237: FOUR WORDS SHATTERED HIS HARD-WON RESTRAINT

Juliana had a piece of sweet pastry but lost her appetite.

She slowly lifted her head, her face devoid of the anger or sadness Mason Sheridan expected, only cold calmness and a hint of mockery.

"Mr. Sheridan, is this you being driven into a corner, looking for a wall to jump over?"

Mason Sheridan’s mouth twitched.

Juliana continued leisurely, "Firstly, if the Sinclair Family really had such abilities, finding their daughter would be a piece of cake, so why would they need two adopted daughters to fill the void? In truth, they are pretending. Secondly, this ’chance encounter’ you meticulously arranged only proves your methods are despicable and that you’re at your wit’s end."

Mason Sheridan’s real intentions were exposed by her, but he stubbornly said, "Juliana, I’m giving you face, don’t be ungrateful."

Juliana stood up, looking down at Mason Sheridan, whose face had turned unpleasant, with a deep smile on her face.

"You’re so eager to prove my identity because your sister lost her power in the Langley Family, and you’re ineffective in serving your master, falling short on both sides. Now you’re desperate, wagging your tail at me like a dog, trying to use me as a pawn to break the impasse?"

She straightened her sleeve, her tone contemptuous, "Not even a chance of cooperating with me—wagging your tail at me is out of your league!"

With that, she no longer looked at Mason Sheridan’s ashen face and turned to leave with composure.

Raine Kane was waiting for her in the parking lot downstairs.

Seeing her come out, he immediately drove the car over.

Raine Kane wasn’t sure if Juliana had seen Elias, so in the car, he strategically asked, "Should we tell Mr. Langley about what happened today?"

Juliana’s response was calm, "I saw him; he left with that woman, didn’t he?"

Raine Kane sighed silently for Elias Langley, "Actually, Mr. Langley has quite a few female business partners, but he always keeps it professional. Even in certain social settings, contact is unavoidable, but he knows his limits, which has always been his way."

Juliana detected Raine’s defense of Elias Langley and chuckled lightly, "With such a good subordinate, he should treat you to a chicken drumstick."

Raine Kane laughed and immediately clarified, "Juliana, I’m on your side."

Juliana returned to her apartment, initially intending to go to her own place, but hesitated when her hand touched the doorknob.

She thought for a moment and went next door instead.

Upon opening the door, Elias Langley was standing by the window, taking off his jacket.

The fitted vest and shirt outlined his broad shoulders and slim waist sharply.

A flicker of joy crossed Juliana’s heart, then quickly cooled.

"Have you eaten?" Elias Langley asked.

Seeing Juliana’s lack of response, he casually dropped the jacket that carried another’s scent onto the floor and walked directly toward her.

"Juliana..."

As he got close, Juliana suddenly reached out and pushed him onto the sofa.

Caught off guard, Elias Langley sat down following her force, a flash of surprise in his eyes, but he did not resist.

Juliana leaned down, one hand supporting the sofa back near his ear, the other rudely pulling his tie to make him slightly tilt his head to look at her.

"President Langley, you’re quite pleased with yourself. Tell me, does the perfume smell on Miss Carter satisfy you more, or does the scent from me fit your wishes better?"

Though Juliana’s face bore a smile, her gaze was sharp, her voice gentle and soft, yet every word was prickly.

Elias Langley gave her free rein, not an ounce of displeasure at being mocked, instead, her pretentious vexation brought a gleam of joy to his eyes.

He gently covered her hand gripping the tie with the back of his hand, his fingertips rubbing slowly, his voice low and raspy.

"The only scent I ever remember is that of my wife. Others don’t interest me at all, but..."

He deliberately paused.

"Your jealousy is what moves me the most."

Juliana’s heartbeat skipped a beat, but she showed no outward expression, tugging the tie tighter, abruptly changing the subject.

"Don’t dodge the serious! Am I not aware of men’s filthy habits?"

"Elias Langley, when you were eight, someone stuffed a child bride onto you, and you didn’t refuse. The Sinclair girl went missing at only 12, yet you’re still looking for her. Tell me, what deep emotions could you have for a child?"

Juliana’s discontent surfaced in this pretending-to-be angry interrogation.

And she watched his eyes intently, not letting any ripple escape.

"You stayed faithful searching for her for over ten years, but then decided you want to marry me after only two months. How does that add up? Is it transferred affection, or is it just because I look similar to her, creating just enough stir in your heart that you found me interesting and wanted to toy with me?"

Elias Langley’s gaze froze at her words, a flash of pain in his eyes before settling back into calmness.

"I have an unavoidable duty towards her, and no matter the feelings, finding her is my lifelong mission. I love you, spoil you, marry you, only because you are you, different in my eyes than anyone else, a real living you. Nothing to do with any past or promises."

Juliana’s grip on the tie subconsciously eased.

The phrase "only because you are you" dispelled all the pretense of anger.

"I hope you’re not lying to me."

Finishing her words, she released his tie to stand up.

But the man abruptly pressed her hand to his chest and another hand held her waist, forcing her to straddle his lap.

Only then did Juliana realize how abnormally high his body temperature was.

She was about to ask, "What’s wrong?" but Elias Langley pushed ahead to show her a tube of ointment.

Instead of concern, Juliana’s inquiry became, "What is this?"

"Every time I want us to be honest under the light, you worry about the scar and refuse. Even in the hospital, you wouldn’t let me help you clean up. I had this ointment specially made for you, the ingredients are rare, and it took some effort to prepare. With regular use, the scar should fade to be nearly invisible."

Juliana’s heart trembled.

Though she never explicitly expressed concern over the scar in front of him, he noticed silently and found a remedy for her.

The thorn he seemed to ’give up’ remained. She didn’t want him to see her moved and softly thanked him, taking the ointment and attempting to get off him.

Yet the arm around her waist tightened suddenly.

Elias Langley’s restrained breathing became rapid, and in a hoarse voice, he declared, "Someone drugged the tea tonight. I took Irene Carter to the hospital and came right back."

Juliana frowned, "That must be Mason Sheridan’s doing."

To create a rift between them, that man was relentless.

"I want to..." Elias Langley strove to suppress the waves surging inside him, "Unsure if you can handle it, maybe forget it."

He pinched her chin, the complicated light in his eyes faded, setting her on the other side of the sofa, and got up heading to the bathroom.

"Elias Langley!"

The man halted, turning suddenly.

Juliana reclined on the sofa, calm eyes hiding turbulent undercurrents.

"Finish first, then wash."

The four light words shattered the restraint he maintained.

...

Mason Sheridan returned to Langley Residence from the tea house, holding back fury.

As soon as he entered the living room, a housekeeper reported, "Mr. Sheridan, madam is attempting suicide!"

With his troubles unresolved, Mason Sheridan had no heart to care for Leona Sheridan at this moment.

He immediately responded harshly, "She’s a cowardly one, would’ve died long ago if she wanted to, no need to wait until now. Stop bothering me!"

With that, he raised his foot to go upstairs.

The housekeeper was someone who received favors from Leona Sheridan, so hurriedly slipped over a Jade Token, whispering, "Madam said, she’s left a will. Certain secrets she kept hidden for others will be made public after her death."