CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: NOT CHOOSING HIM

She felt that Paige Sterling was smiling a lot today, and she didn’t know why she suddenly seemed to be in a good mood.

When these young men thought the matter was over after taking a few beatings and losing a hand, the police caught them.

Because someone posted evidence online directly linking them to the death of that actress, causing an uproar.

This time, their connections couldn’t save them, especially since their family’s company was also having issues, making it impossible to protect them.

Damn, got beaten for no reason again and again, and now we’re getting arrested. How did we get so unlucky?

When Paige returned to Silverstream Bay, Julian Hawthorne was also at home.

His hair was a bit messy, and he was wearing a light gray V-neck lounge outfit. Paige took a quick glance and noticed his slightly toned abs.

Paige swallowed discreetly; she’s been restrained since birth, and maybe it’s time to indulge a little.

However, Julian, seemingly oblivious to his allure, said, "I ran a hot bath for you, go take a bath."

Paige responded with an ’oh,’ and while soaking in the tub, she was still thinking about Julian’s ascetic face.

At that moment, Julian knocked on the bathroom door and said, "You forgot to bring your pajamas in. I left them at the bathroom door."

Paige acknowledged with a ’hmm.’

Julian, standing outside, was momentarily taken aback.

He wondered if she was feeling very comfortable in there because that ’hmm’ sounded different from her usual cold tone, almost... seductive?

Julian shook his head, daring not to overthink it.

When Paige came out of the bathroom, her face was rosy from the steam.

She asked Julian, "What did you put in the bathtub?"

"Medicine from an old Chinese doctor; it helps relieve fatigue when you soak in it."

Paige responded with an ’oh,’ "Did you soak in it too?"

Julian nodded, and Paige moved closer, sniffing his shoulder.

"After I soaked, I smelled like herbs all over. How come you don’t?"

Indeed, the herbal scent now filled Julian’s nostrils, causing his breathing to nearly stop, his body frozen and motionless.

Julian’s voice turned hoarse, "I soaked in it yesterday."

"Oh," Paige backed off, yawning, "I’m going to sleep."

It was only after Paige had entered her bedroom that Julian’s body finally relaxed.

God knows how much self-control he needed just now to suppress his impulsive thoughts.

At that moment, his phone gently vibrated. Julian picked it up and saw a message in the WeChat chat box.

"Summer Xavier, do you have a man?"

Julian, "... No."

Paige, "Oh, I’ll take you to find a man tomorrow night and let you indulge a bit."

Julian...

Because of Paige’s WeChat message, Julian couldn’t sleep the whole night and faced Paige the next day with dark circles under his eyes.

Paige tossed a box of eye masks to him, "Use this to apply. I made them myself, they work well."

Julian took it, and before he could say anything, Paige said, "I’m going back to the Sterling Family tonight, so I won’t be coming back."

Julian, "...!!"

Back to the Sterling Family?

Obviously just wanting to go out and fool around with men! Even the excuses are so unconvincing!

Julian was seething with anger inside, unable to vent, and after a while, he clenched his teeth and spat out one word.

"Okay."

Julian seemed to be in a good mood lately and was very agreeable with his employees.

The employees greeted Julian as usual, only to find him walking into the elevator with a gloomy expression.

How scary! President Hawthorne has returned to his icy demeanor.

The most challenging job was for Shaun Jones, the secretary, who felt that entering Julian’s office was akin to walking into a pit of fire.

But as a secretary, there were some tasks that couldn’t be ignored.

Shaun sighed, braced himself, and walked into the office with the documents.

"President Hawthorne, please review these documents."

Julian lifted his eyes to look at Shaun, and Shaun felt an urge to turn and leave.

Julian stared at him for a while, then suddenly asked, "What do you think of my looks?"

Shaun, "...??"

Has he suffered some blow from Miss Sterling that he’s starting to doubt his own stunning looks?

Not thinking, Shaun blabbered some flattery: "President Hawthorne, your looks are beyond words, perfect in every way."

Julian said nothing, seeing through Shaun’s flattery.

Shaun, "... But the dark circles are a bit too heavy."

Julian slightly frowned and motioned Shaun to leave.

Shaun, feeling pardoned, quickly grabbed the documents and rushed out.

Once the office door was closed, Julian opened a drawer and took out the eye masks Paige had given him that morning.

When Simon Hawthorne dropped by Julian’s office, he opened the door to see Julian with two black eye masks on his face...

Simon, "..."

For a second, he thought he had entered the wrong office.

He shut the door and walked in, "Brother, your eye masks smell nice. I also stayed up late last night. Could you spare me two?"

Before his hand could touch the box, Julian quickly grabbed it and threw it back into the drawer.

Simon, "...", When did my brother become so stingy?

Simon soon realized Julian was in a bad mood today. He only said a couple of words, and Julian already looked like he wanted to cut off his tongue.

Simon started to regret it.

Isn’t the scenery outside charming or the bar beauties attractive?

Why did he insist on coming to see Julian?

Simon started to retreat silently, planning to leave without a sound, but Julian suddenly spoke.

"Come over here, I have a question for you."

Simon gave a forced laugh, "Brother, I’ll just stand here. You can ask, I can hear you."

Julian didn’t speak, just stared at him.

Simon’s scalp felt like it was going to explode, "Brother, do you have some unspeakable issue?"

Julian’s lips moved, as if wanting to speak but stopping.

Simon looked shocked, did his brother really have an unspeakable issue?

This was no trivial matter, no wonder he looked so gloomy.

Simon quickly moved closer, "Brother, you shouldn’t delay this illness. We need to see a doctor early. Don’t avoid it. Come on, let’s go see a doctor now."

He didn’t dare touch Julian; he just grabbed Julian’s sleeve to pull him outside.

Julian shook him off, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Brother, we’re blood brothers. I won’t laugh at you; don’t be stubborn!"

Julian’s temples throbbed a few times, "Shut up!"

Simon immediately shut up.

Julian asked, "Let me ask you, how to..."

Simon, "...?"

Julian, "... Attract women."

Simon was dumbfounded for a long time, a bit unresponsive, "Brother, with your conditions, do you even need to attract them? Just standing there, women would flock to you!"

But the problem is, despite waving himself around for so long in front of Paige, she’d rather go out to find a man than pick him!