His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 203: No Way Out

Iris had expected things to spiral, but even she hadn't imagined it would turn this chaotic. Still, because she had already prepared herself for the worst, she remained composed, standing there with a calm detachment as everything unraveled in front of her.

The shouting didn't stop until one of the officers raised his voice and cut through the noise with authority. The room fell quiet almost instantly.

Lily stepped forward, one hand pressed against her swollen cheek, her eyes red as she stared at Julian. "I'm a woman," she said, her voice trembling with hurt. "And I'm your fiancée. You've never hit a woman before, so how could you hit me because of her?"

Julian didn't even pause to consider his response. His voice came out cold and sharp. "I've never treated you like one. And yes, I hit you." His gaze hardened further. "Since my father was the one who threw that engagement party, maybe you should just marry him instead."

The room shifted uncomfortably at that.

Vivian let out a quiet, mocking laugh from the side, folding her arms as she tilted her head toward Frederick. "That's your son," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Saying something like that right in front of you. Guess he doesn't think much of you anymore."

Frederick's face darkened immediately, anger flashing across his features as he took a step forward, fists clenched. "You ungrateful—"

He didn't get any further. The officers moved quickly, grabbing him and pulling him back before things escalated.

What was supposed to be a simple intervention had turned into a full-blown mess.

One of the officers straightened, his patience clearly running thin. "At this point, we're no longer mediating," he said firmly. "This is assault. Given the circumstances, it's being treated as a misdemeanor. That means possible detention and fines."

Julian didn't argue. He calmly took off his watch, pulled out his phone, and handed both over as if he had already made peace with the outcome. "Should've done that from the start," he said evenly. "No point wasting time trying to talk it out."

Then, almost as an afterthought, he nodded toward Lily. "Just don't put me in the same holding area as her. If you do, I won't promise I'll keep my hands to myself."

The officer shot him a look, half irritated, half incredulous. "You've got a lot of confidence for someone being detained. Let's go."

Julian didn't respond. He simply turned, but before following them, his eyes found Iris.

There was something heavy in that look, something restrained yet unmistakably intense, concern and something deeper layered beneath it.

Iris stood still, her expression unreadable, but her hand had already curled tightly at her side, the pulse in her wrist throbbing sharply.

Another officer stepped toward Lily and took hold of her arm. "Since the victim isn't agreeing to any settlement, you'll be held as well."

That was when everything shifted.

Irene rushed forward, grabbing Lily as if she could physically shield her, her voice breaking as she turned to the officers. "My daughter has depression. She's been fragile her whole life. She can't handle being locked up, not even for a few hours. Please, I'm begging you."

The officer didn't budge. "Then you should be talking to her," he said, glancing toward Iris.

Irene didn't hesitate. She turned and hurried over, grabbing Iris's hand tightly, her face streaked with tears. "Miss Whitlow, please, just let this go. It was only a slap. You're not really going to press charges over something like that, are you? She's not well, she won't be able to handle it in there."

Only a slap.

Not a single word of apology, not even an attempt at remorse. Just fear of consequences.

Iris pulled her hand free without hesitation and stepped toward the officer. "Am I free to go?"

He nodded. "Yes, you are."

Behind her, Irene's expression twisted, anger replacing desperation.

Iris didn't look back. She walked out of the station as if none of them existed.

Vivian watched her leave, arms crossed, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "You know," she murmured to Frederick, "she's not what she looks like. There's a gap there, and it's not small. None of us are a match for her. Good thing you stepped in when you did."

Frederick's expression remained dark. "She's capable," he said under his breath. "But she doesn't have the background to be part of this family."

Across the room, Irene and Harold were still pleading with the officers, their voices lowering as they tried to negotiate, even hinting at money.

That ended immediately.

The officer's voice snapped with authority. "You're talking about bribery now? You want to be charged too? It's a few days in holding, not a prison sentence. If that's too much, maybe don't go around hitting people."

The room fell silent again.

As Julian finished processing and was about to be escorted out, Lily suddenly called out, her voice shaking. "Officer, please... let him go."

Everyone turned.

Tears streamed down her face as she forced herself to continue. "Iris won't forgive me, and Julian doesn't care who's right or wrong as long as it's her, but I would never hurt him. Even if he hits me or yells at me, I couldn't stand seeing him go through this. That slap... I let it happen. Please, just let him go."

The officer paused, then handed Julian his belongings back with a faint sigh. "You've got someone who really cares about you," he said. "Don't take that for granted."

Julian let out a quiet, dismissive breath as he slipped his phone into his pocket and fastened his watch. Then he stepped forward, stopping directly in front of Lily.

"When you're in front of Iris, you act like you own the room," he said evenly. "Now you're playing the victim? Since when are you reasonable and kind?"

Lily clenched her jaw, tears continuing to fall as she looked up at him.

Frederick's voice came out low and furious. "A woman like Lily, and you don't know how to appreciate her. You'll regret this."

Julian didn't respond. He turned and walked out without another glance.

There was nothing anyone could do to stop him.

Just before Lily was taken away, she quickly pulled out her phone and made a call.

"Celeste," she said under her breath, her tone turning cold. "Iris has two hundred million. Frederick gave it to her. I don't care what you have to do, don't let her have a single peaceful day. And that money, every cent of it, I want it back."