Chapter 449

"Alexander, he's your own cousin. You don't blame me for this, do you?"

Sophia Laurent tapped her fingers lightly on the table, watching the retreating figure through the window.

Alexander Valdemar didn't even lift his gaze. "He brought this upon himself."

"I heard he can't even afford rent now."

Sophia turned her attention back to Alexander's sharp profile.

The second son of the Valdemar family now wore faded shirts with frayed cuffs.

Alexander took a sip of tea. "He chose this path."

On the garden path, Jasmine Keane's heels crushed fallen leaves.

"Julian! Have you forgotten why we came here today?"

She spun around, chest heaving.

Julian Valdemar blinked before offering a gentle smile. "Don't be upset, Jasmine."

"Adrian has always been like this—even Patriarch Valdemar couldn't control him."

Jasmine rolled her eyes internally.

She forced a tight smile. "I don't mind. But why didn't you explain things properly?"

The wind caught her white skirt as she bit her lip. "I don't want you fighting with your family over me."

Julian scratched his head. "I think our current situation is fine."

Jasmine nearly choked.

"You really think this is fine?" Her voice trembled. "I don't want to burden you. You should stay and marry Tiffany Sinclair!"

She turned to flee.

Julian grabbed her arm. "Don't talk nonsense! How could I ever leave you?"

"But you were supposed to be the second heir..." Tears welled in Jasmine's eyes.

"If you hadn't saved me..." Julian hesitated. "I won't abandon you."

Jasmine's blood boiled.

Who wanted to squeeze into that roach-infested apartment with him?

"I don't care!" She shook off his grip. "Stop following me!"

She dashed into the street and hailed a cab.

Julian hurried after her.

Two hours later, the taxi stopped before a dilapidated apartment building.

"One hundred seventy-eight dollars." The driver drummed his fingers on the wheel.

Julian pulled out his phone—his face drained of color.

Insufficient balance notifications flooded the screen.