His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 274: Family Confrontation

His expression darkened further. He stared at Vivian. "Who told you that?"

Vivian cleared her throat and offered a thin smile. "I heard it around."

"Heard it around?" Julian let out a cold, humorless laugh and slowly turned his eyes toward Lily.

Lily sat with her hands folded in her lap, fingers twisting nervously into the fabric of her dress. Her head was bowed so low it almost touched her chest, and she looked utterly heartbroken, as if she might break into tears at any moment.

"Was it Arthur, your therapist?" Julian demanded, his voice tight with anger.

Frederick's neck corded with tension. "Forget who told her. Is it true or not?"

Julian reined in his temper and took a measured breath. "Yes."

A tear fell from Lily's cheek onto her thigh, then another. Irene moved to her side, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders. Lily buried her face against Irene and wept quietly.

The sight tugged painfully at Frederick and Vivian.

Frederick clenched his fist, jaw working silently for a long moment before he spoke, his tone icy. "Iris took 200 million from me and agreed to leave you, but she went behind my back. I clearly underestimated her."

Julian gave a dismissive snort. "From what I understand, that 200 million was compensation for damages. You stole several of her virus-carrier primates and had others destroyed. She was being generous not pressing charges. And you have the nerve to call it a payoff?"

Beatrice, who had been listening in stunned silence, went pale with fury. She pushed herself up from the sofa and pointed a trembling finger at Frederick. "Is that true?"

"Stay out of this, Mother," Frederick snapped, face flushed. "He has no proof. It's all speculation."

Julian shrugged coolly. "If she had solid proof, someone with Iris' principles would have seen you in court by now."

Trembling with rage, Beatrice snatched an apple from the coffee table and hurled it at Frederick.

He ducked, and the fruit struck Vivian squarely on the shoulder. She yelped in pain. "Why did you hit me?"

Julian guided Beatrice gently back onto the couch.

She was seething, teeth gritted. "You're all cut from the same cloth. Not a decent one among you."

Frederick had had enough. "May!" he barked. "Take Mother back to her room, now."

Beatrice shook her head stubbornly, her whole body quivering. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here to back my grandson. Don't any of you try to bully him."

Julian gave her hand a reassuring pat. "Grandma, you're supposed to be resting. If you get yourself all worked up and your health takes a turn, I'll have to come back here and look after you myself. Go on upstairs and rest. I can handle this."

May stepped forward and helped Beatrice to her feet.

Before leaving, Beatrice fixed Julian with a sharp look. "You stand your ground. Be selfish if you have to. Just protect your own wife and child. What happens to other people isn't your concern. You hear me?"

Julian's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile, and he nodded.

The comment was clearly meant for Lily. Harold and Irene's expressions tightened.

"May, now!" Frederick ordered, his voice booming.

After Beatrice was escorted out, a heavy silence settled over the living room.

Frederick gradually collected himself. He cleared his throat and adopted a stern, businesslike tone. "After she delivers the baby, we'll take custody and raise the child here. She can be compensated financially, and then all contact ends."

Julian simply leaned back into the cushions, staring into the distance as if he hadn't heard.

Frederick pressed on. "And one more thing. You need to come back and help your brother out."

At that, a faint, ironic smile touched Julian's lips.

Ever since Caleb had taken the reins at Everhart Group, its performance had nosedived. Billions in market value had evaporated, and the decline showed no sign of stopping. The company had been bleeding money all year.

At this rate, it wouldn't be long before it collapsed entirely.

The once-dominant Everhart Group was now on the verge of being overtaken by Julian's own venture. Caleb seemed unbothered, but Frederick was growing desperate.

Julian pulled out his phone to check the time—already 8:30 PM.

He was itching to leave. "I'm focused on building my own company right now," he said flatly. "On top of that, I have a pregnant wife to look after. I don't have time to come back and clean up someone else's mess. Find another solution."

"Iris divorced you," Frederick shot back angrily. "What do you mean, 'your wife'?"

Julian's brow furrowed in irritation. "With or without a marriage license, Iris is my wife. She doesn't need your approval. She doesn't have to be an Everhart. But I will always be her husband."

Frederick's face flushed a deep purple. He ground his teeth. "The only woman you should be calling your wife is Lily. The two of you are engaged."

Julian merely snorted in contempt. Just then, his phone rang.

Seeing the caller ID, he answered immediately.

It was Freya. "Mr. Everhart, Ms. Whitlow has seemed a bit down all evening. She's asked me a few times when you'll be home."

"Did something happen?" Julian asked, concern sharpening his voice.

"No, nothing's wrong," Freya replied quickly. "She didn't want me to bother you. I'm calling on my own."

"Understood." He ended the call and stood up without hesitation.

All eyes in the room were on him.

"Sit down," Frederick commanded.

Julian ignored him. As he walked past Lily, he paused and looked down at her. His tone softened, but only slightly. "I told you—my fixation runs deeper than yours. I'm about to be a father. If you're still holding onto any hope, you should check yourself into a clinic. Come out only when you're completely over this."

With that, he strode out of Rosehill Estate without a backward glance.

Lily didn't utter a word. She remained in her wheelchair, face ashen, tears streaming down her cheeks in silent rivers.

Her fists were clenched so tightly that her nails dug deep into her palms, threatening to draw blood. Her hands trembled violently.