Chapter 451

The taxi driver drummed his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel, brows furrowed.

"Pay up fast. Don't waste my time for the next fare."

Beads of sweat dotted Julian Valdemar's forehead as his fingers flew across his phone screen.

His contacts list stopped at "Adrian Valdemar." He closed his eyes briefly.

The call connected faster than expected.

"Well, well. The second young master actually calling me first?" Adrian's teasing voice crackled through the receiver.

Julian's Adam's apple bobbed. His voice dropped to a near whisper. "Lend me two hundred."

Dead silence on the other end.

Then a sharp curse exploded through the phone.

"Damn it! Wait there!"

Adrian stood on the banquet hall balcony, double-checking his hearing.

Julian Valdemar—the man who never carried cash—asking to borrow two hundred dollars?

His finger hovered over the transfer screen before deleting four zeros from the intended amount.

The payment notification chime sounded like salvation to Julian.

He practically fled the taxi.

The cold wind cooled his burning cheeks.

Dim hallway lights flickered in the apartment building.

Julian paused at the door, taking a deep breath before retrieving his keys.

Inside the modest two-bedroom flat, Jasmine Keane was in the midst of a rampage.

A glass shattered against the wall, shards scattering everywhere.

At the sound of turning keys, she quickly wiped her face and curled into the sofa corner.

Julian froze in the doorway.

Amidst the wreckage, Jasmine lifted tear-filled eyes.

"You...you came back?" Her voice trembled.

In three long strides, Julian gathered her into his arms.

"How could I ever leave you?"

Jasmine clutched his collar, nails nearly piercing her own palms.

"I thought you'd abandoned me..."

"Never." Julian's voice held steel.

Unseen by him, a fleeting smirk ghosted across the woman's lips.