After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms Chapter 64

The frenzied screams yanked Louisa back to reality.

In her mind, Julian—the man who had rescued her multiple times—was pure, sacred, untouchable. She didn't want to drag him into her mess of troubles. 

With a cold smile directed at Vivian, she said nothing, merely lifting her injured hand and pulling off the silk scarf around her wrist.

The red scarf had concealed any trace of blood. But as it fell away, the thick layers of white bandages wrapped around her wrist came into everyone's view. 

Only now, those bandages were no longer white—they'd been stained crimson, a shocking, visceral red that made onlookers gasp.

Everyone inhaled sharply. Everyone except Louisa, whose face remained utterly expressionless.

She slowly unwound the bandages. One layer, then another, until they fell away completely.

Two deep gashes, cut nearly to the bone, appeared before the stunned crowd.

Many had never seen wounds like this in their entire lives. Several pampered socialites who would normally cry over a paper cut screamed at the sight. 

Yet Louisa still wore a bright smile.

She turned her wounds toward Vivian, toward everyone. "These two scars—this is proof that I'd rather shatter like jade than survive as worthless clay. If I had been violated, I wouldn't be standing here alive today!"

Her wounds and her fierce declaration left everyone stunned.

George was shocked too. He stared at her injuries in disbelief, then at the dried blood on his own hands. So that's why—he had squeezed her wound earlier, causing it to reopen.

What had she endured last night? In that moment, his heart felt like it was being sliced open.

Vivian, meanwhile, roared in disbelief, "I don't believe it! Not a single word! Unless you bring out this person—bring out this guardian angel who supposedly saved you—and let him face me directly!"

Louisa frowned, wondering why this woman couldn't just let it go.

Just then, a deep, cool voice sounded from behind her, "That would be me."

All eyes turned toward the source, and there stood Julian. His cool gaze swept over Vivian. "What exactly would you like to face me about?"

His tone sounded casual, almost disinterested in the drama unfolding before him. Yet his mere presence created an intense pressure in the room.

Vivian had never encountered a man with such a commanding presence. Intimidated by the coldness radiating from him, she trembled, unable to form a single word.

The Price family was equally stunned. They had assumed Louisa would be easy to deal with, a nobody of no consequence. How had Julian become involved in this? This complicated matters significantly.

George glared at him with hostility. The relationship between Julian and Louisa seemed to have grown quite close lately. 

Jealousy burned in George's eyes.

The onlookers' eyes lit up with interest. They had been surprised to see Julian here at all. He was known for keeping a low profile, avoiding public appearances. 

Even if all the prestigious families in Silverlight City joined forces, they couldn't secure his attendance.

This was a private banquet between the Capulet and Price families—the last place anyone would expect him to appear. Now they realized he had been standing behind Louisa the whole time, neither too close nor too far.

Though he had barely spoken, he was like an invisible guardian, stepping in whenever Louisa needed support. 

So he had come today specifically for Louisa? The crowd buzzed with excitement at the thought.

What kind of person was this Louisa to have Julian personally watching over her?

Vivian finally understood too, her gaze darting between Louisa and Julian as flames of jealousy threatened to incinerate her from within.

Louisa turned to meet Julian's gaze. She hadn't wanted to name him, to bring him unnecessary trouble. Why had he stepped forward?

He seemed unconcerned, asking her softly, "Do you need me to clarify things?"

Besides her, he was the only person present who knew the truth, the only one who could explain everything clearly. 

She nodded. Then immediately shook her head.

What could he explain? Even she didn't know how he had appeared at exactly the right moment. She had forgotten to ask him about that yesterday.

Julian, seeing her confused expression, curved his lips slightly upward. Though barely perceptible, the crowd's sharp eyes caught it.

What was happening? The perpetually aloof Julian was actually smiling? And with something that looked oddly like... affection? 

Everyone thought they must be seeing things, rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

When they looked again, Julian had resumed his customary coolness. His gaze swept across the room as he spoke calmly, "Dawnlight Club is a property under the Tudor Group. Because of its remote location, it doesn't usually have many guests.

"When I heard an entire floor of it had been reserved yesterday, I had someone look into it. Learning there was no organized event, just a few suspicious individuals showing up, I went there myself.

"Fortunately, Ms. Forbes fought desperately, buying enough time for me to arrive. I got there in time—those men didn't succeed; Ms. Forbes wasn't harmed."

His explanation was detailed, omitting certain parts that might cause misunderstanding, and he didn't mention that he had people watching Vivian. No one questioned his account.

Still, Louisa felt a flicker of doubt. The Tudor Group owned countless properties—would something as minor as a reserved floor at a club really be reported to him? Could such a coincidence really happen?

Before she could process this thought, Vivian erupted again, shouting, "I don't believe it! I don't believe it! You two must be having an aff—"

She was about to say "affair," but Caden quickly covered her mouth. 

How could Vivian dare say such things? Didn't she understand Julian's status? He had personally vouched for Louisa, yet she still dared to spout nonsense?

Everyone looked at Vivian with expressions that clearly said, "You're digging your own grave." Offending Julian was no small matter. Not even ten Price Groups combined could match the Tudor Group's influence.

With Julian stepping in, everyone was expecting an ending to this drama. 

Many men present had rarely seen Julian in person and were planning to approach him, hoping to network or at least exchange greetings.

But George beat them to it. He wasn't going to network, though. He was staking his claim. 

He didn't care about Julian's status. Even though the Capulet Group was leagues below the Tudor Group, George showed no fear.

He walked over to stand beside Louisa, facing Julian. "Mr. Tudor, thank you for saving my wife."