His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 128: A Scene of Chaos

Beatrice looked at Julian. "Why aren't you eating?"

Julian really didn't dare to take a bite. He sighed. "Grandma, I'm already too worked up. I don't need all this extra nourishment."

"It's just a normal midnight snack. Hurry up and eat." Beatrice pushed.

Julian picked up his spoon and stirred the soup. There were at least five big shrimp, plus a pile of tender crab meat, creamy corn, and soft potatoes.

He already had too much energy, his body hot and restless. He had no choice but to ask, "Grandma, are you trying to finish me off with one bowl of soup?"

Beatrice frowned. "Pfft, don't be silly."

Iris couldn't hold back a laugh. She bowed her head and bit into a shrimp to muffle it.

Julian heard her and glanced over. He caught her shy, teasing smile.

Her little smirk pushed his buttons.

"Fine! I'll eat." Julian stared at Iris, determined to not back down. He took big bites, shoveling the soup into his mouth.

Beatrice's smile grew even wider.

As soon as Julian finished, Beatrice hurried to say, "There's more. I'll get you another bowl."

"Grandma, I'm stuffed."

Just then, Lily ran out, mad and pouting.

"Iris..." Her voice cracked with tears.

Julian and Beatrice looked up at her. Only Iris kept her head down, her face tense. Her hands froze, and she stopped chewing the food in her mouth. That shaky, tearful call from Lily was enough to sink her mood.

Iris could guess what Lily would do next. It was going to be embarrassing—she just knew it.

Lily's eyes filled with tears. She bowed deeply to Iris. "I'm sorry, Iris. I'm really sorry. I was stupid before, running my mouth in front of you."

Beatrice looked confused. She stared at Lily, then at Irene behind her. "What's going on here?"

Iris chewed the food in her mouth, waiting to swallow before she spoke.

Lily looked totally sincere, full of regret. "The reason I told you Julian and I shared the same food, drank from the same cup, and hung out together was just to stop you from misunderstanding us. We're just good friends, nothing more. Twenty years of just... just friendship. Now, because you're suspicious and jealous, Julian deleted all my contacts, keeps me at a distance, and treats me worse than a stranger."

Julian's face turned dark. His voice was sharp. "Lily, what's your problem?"

Gloria rushed to calm him down. "Julian, Lily has depression. Don't talk to her like that."

Jenny joined in, complaining, "I think you're being too mean to Lily, Julian. Iris is so jealous too. Can't Julian have female friends?"

Julian clenched his fists, glaring at the people ganging up on Iris. He snapped, "This is my business. It has nothing to do with Iris. Stop dragging her into it."

Tears rolled down Lily's cheeks. She begged, small and broken, "Iris, please. Let me stay friends with Julian. I won't ruin your relationship, I promise."

That unfair accusation felt like a weight on Iris's chest.

Lily was good at this—too good.

She played the victim in front of others, acting small so everyone would see Iris as the bad guy.

It left both her and Julian with nothing to say.

And Lily had depression. Julian could never lay a finger on her, never even raise his voice, or he'd instantly become the bad guy.

Just then, Julian's other relatives in the living room crowded over.

The air turned tense.

Lily leaned over, crying next to Iris. The whole thing looked like Iris was bullying her.

Iris felt more and more awkward.

Once Beatrice figured out what was happening, she stood up and snapped, "Lily, cut the emotional blackmail. Julian can choose his friends. It has nothing to do with Iris."

Jenny mumbled, "Grandma, it does too."

Beatrice snapped at her, "Shut your mouth."

Jenny went quiet right away.

Just then, Frederick and the other male relatives walked over. Harold was with them.

Harold rushed over, grabbing Lily's hand. He looked heartbroken. "Lily, you did nothing wrong. Why are you begging her?"

Lily pulled her hand away from her dad, crying harder. "Dad, I don't want to lose Julian. We've been friends for over 20 years and grew up together like siblings. Iris is just misunderstanding us. If I can explain, she'll forgive me. She won't stop Julian and me from talking anymore."

Harold blew up. "Why beg her for forgiveness? Who does she think she is?"

Everyone started whispering and pointing at Iris.

The whole thing spiraled out of control.

Julian stood up, mad as hell. He walked to Lily, grabbed her arm roughly, and tried to drag her out.

Caleb suddenly stepped out, blocking his way. He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Julian, all Lily wants is for you to add her back and remain friends. That's not too much. Where are you taking her?"

Julian glared at him. "It's none of your business. Move."

Caleb glanced at Iris, who was sitting quietly at the dining table. He put his hands in his pockets, smirking lazily. "You think dragging Lily away will make the lies about Iris stop?"

Iris was his weak spot. Now that they were using her against him, he had no choice but to let go of Lily.

Lily rubbed her sore arm, looking pitiful. "Julian, I don't ask for much. Just take me off your blacklist."