CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32: JULIAN FORDHAM LOCATES RHYS HAWTHORNE AND PERSONALLY PAYS HIM A VISIT!

The news Rhys Hawthorne brought was like a breeze dispersing the fog engulfing Victoria Monroe. Julian Fordham’s scheming finally allowed her to carve a bloody path out of it.

Things weren’t that bad; Rhys watched her emotions gradually improve before continuing, "You don’t have to worry about the project approval; just focus on nurturing your pregnancy. It’s not suitable for a pregnant woman to be at such places late at night."

His gaze inadvertently swept over Victoria Monroe’s neck, noticing a faint mark there. Observing her expression, he guessed a bit of the situation.

"Don’t punish yourself for others’ mistakes; it’s not worth it. If you need help, you can reach out to me anytime."

"Why?"

Victoria Monroe fixed her gaze on him, "Why are you so good to me? Rhys, your actions towards me far exceed the boundaries of a partnership."

"So you think I should let you be alone by the seaside late at night and receive news next morning that my female lead has attempted suicide by jumping into the sea?"

His gaze remained fixed on her, "Or do you think my kindness is because I want to..."

While saying this, the man leaned over from the center console.

He’s no longer the immature youth he once was, approaching with the undeniable assertiveness of a mature man.

The unfamiliar atmosphere invaded, and instinctively, Victoria Monroe wanted to back away.

Trapped in the driver’s seat with nowhere to retreat, she could only watch in a panic the handsome face approaching her, her heartbeat racing.

"Rhys..."

The man stopped at just the right distance, neither too close nor too far.

His gaze faintly swept over her, a sharpness hidden between his brows.

"Ms. Monroe, is my intention to exploit you, a pregnant woman?"

Victoria’s repeated probing brought this topic to the forefront.

His straightforwardness left Victoria Monroe a bit embarrassed.

Indeed, she might have a beautiful face, but she wasn’t the only pretty woman in the world. Would Rhys go through all this trouble just to win over a pregnant woman?

"Sorry, I just thought with your status..."

"What status?"

Clearly right in front of her, yet shrouded in a layer of mist, Victoria Monroe shook her head, "I don’t understand; I just feel you’re so close yet so distant, making it hard to see clearly. It’s me being overly sensitive and overthinking recently."

Rhys slowly retreated, "Everything I’ve done is to fulfill my aunt’s wish. You were her designated female lead. Setting aside all this, we spent nine months together. I cannot let a friend down."

His expression was candid, and Victoria’s face darkened.

The word "friend" seemed to be slowly retreating from her marriage with Julian Fordham.

She hadn’t thought much of it before, but now hearing it from Rhys left her feeling strange.

She must be sick, too deeply PUA’d by Julian Fordham. His paranoia mirrored her own dysfunction.

After a silent moment, she lifted her head again, "Rhys, from now on, we’re friends, right?"

"We already are. I’ll take you home."

"It’s okay; I can drive myself..."

Rhys’s deep eyes fixed on her, his authoritative gaze easily shook her. He insisted, "Let me."

On the way back, Victoria discussed many cooperation matters with him, and the usually reticent Rhys patiently responded.

"Carter York will attend a charity banquet tomorrow; you can discuss cooperation matters with him then."

"Alright."

The car turned into Victoria’s villa, and Julian Fordham immediately rushed out upon hearing the sound of the car.

But he only saw a tall, upright back disappearing into the door.

A man had brought her back!

Julian initially wanted to question her, but recalling the previous atmosphere between them, he suppressed his jealousy, adjusted his expression, and walked towards Victoria.

"Victoria, you’re back."

Victoria ignored his greeting. After all, she had loved him for years; uttering harsh words would hurt them both.

Facing Julian’s approach, she instinctively backed away.

This subconscious action made Julian uncomfortable, and he stopped, feeling forlorn, "I won’t touch you; don’t be afraid."

Victoria didn’t respond, bypassing Julian to go upstairs, closing the bathroom door to wash up.

This time, Julian didn’t dare make a move. He felt relieved only after confirming Victoria fell asleep and went downstairs.

He pulled up the surveillance playback; the garden only had one camera, once again capturing unclear footage.

However, with the naked eye, he felt the man’s physique was much taller than the man who had previously brought Victoria back.

Not the same person.

He extinguished the cigarette butt in his hand, opened the car door, and sat in the driver’s seat.

The seat was still adjusted to Rhys’s preferred setting, as if tailored to this man’s frame.

Julian then checked the dashboard camera, reviewing Victoria’s recent driving routes.

An address had appeared twice recently.

Julian clicked on the address and pressed the accelerator.

As the car drove into the exclusive villa district, his temples throbbed.

This villa area was designed five years ago for high-end individuals, inhabited not necessarily by the powerful but certainly by the wealthy.

Even the smallest floor plan wouldn’t be less than 100 million, each home equipped with its private helipad facilities.

Even now, it’s the benchmark for the most luxurious villas in Kenton.

Five years ago, he could only afford the marital home where he and Victoria now lived.

And that man had already possessed unfathomable wealth five years ago.

Drivern by ambition, Julian Fordham already felt defeated before even meeting the man.

Entering this high-end villa district, his car wasn’t intercepted, allowed in freely.

Clearly, someone had pre-registered Victoria’s license plate.

Entering the villa area was like entering another dimension.

That was the mountaintop view he yearned for five years ago.

Although he could easily obtain such resources now, he still felt inferior.

Because that villa sat in the most conspicuous and highest position among its class, beyond anyone’s reach.

Occupying the best geographic spot, with no surrounding houses blocking its view.

Not only is its privacy top-notch, but it also invisibly showcases one’s financial and authoritative status.

Julian’s fingers clenched the steering wheel tighter, his anxiety grew as he approached.

Regarding Ryan Zane, he could sever his path with a single sentence, but with this man, he couldn’t.

It’s as if the other person anticipated his visit, as the black grated gate was wide open, allowing him to drive in unhindered.

Assistant Prescott’s call untimely came through; Julian turned off the car and answered.

"President Fordham, we previously overlooked something. I checked all first and economy class passengers but missed the private business class line. He didn’t take a passenger plane to Kenton; he came with his crew. I know who he is now."

Standing in the courtyard, Julian met eyes with the man standing before the enormous floor-to-ceiling window.

His voice was deep, "I know too."