His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 294: Revenge on Lily

Iris was nothing but supportive. She showered Harper with genuine, enthusiastic praise, holding nothing back.

Afterward, Harper led her back to the living room and eagerly pulled out every single toy Julian had bought for her, presenting them one by one with visible pride.

The space was practically taken over by toys—plush animals, building sets, dolls—and Harper meticulously explained each one.

Once the tour was done, Iris gently suggested, "Sweetie, let's start cleaning up, okay? Your dad prefers the house tidy."

Harper shook her head confidently. "He won't mind. Daddy doesn't get upset about this."

Iris knelt on the rug anyway, reaching for the storage bin to begin putting things away. Just then, the sound of footsteps descended the stairs.

She glanced up, her hands still full of toys.

Julian had changed into a tailored black suit and fastened his watch. He came down with long, purposeful strides, looking sharp and composed—almost strikingly handsome in the well-cut attire.

He walked into the study briefly before returning with a pen and a sheet of paper. By then, Iris had just finished clearing the toys.

Julian set the paper and pen down on the coffee table. "Sign this," he said evenly.

Iris settled back onto the couch and picked up the document. It was the agreement she'd mentioned over the phone—outlining their temporary shared custody arrangement.

The terms were straightforward: Harper would stay with him four days each week. If that didn't happen, full custody would automatically revert to him.

"A weekly schedule might be tough to keep up with," Iris began carefully. "What if we adjusted it so you have her during school breaks and summers, and I take the rest of the time? That would be more manageable—"

"Not up for discussion," Julian cut in, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Iris pressed her lips together, holding back her frustration. She didn't reach for the pen.

Julian knelt in front of Harper, his voice softening noticeably. "I've got to head to the office, sweetie. I'll be back tonight to spend time with you, okay?"

Harper beamed. "Okay, Daddy!"

Iris spoke up nervously. "Harper stays with me today."

Julian rose to his feet, his expression cooling. "Take her wherever you like. Just have her back by tonight."

He turned to leave but paused after a couple of steps, adding without looking back, "Leave the signed agreement in my study."

Then he was gone, striding out of the villa before Iris could respond. She watched him go, then let out a quiet, resigned sigh as she looked at her daughter, still happily lost in her own little world of toys.

*****

Around noon, the living room at Rosehill Estate was filled with a tense, uncomfortable silence.

Seated across from each other were Harold and Irene, Lily, and Arthur—and on the other side, Julian, Frederick, and Vivian.

All eyes were cautiously fixed on Julian.

The marriage license lying on the coffee table had visibly soured the mood among the older generation.

Harold and Irene had already offered their apologies—first to Julian, then to Frederick and Vivian.

But Lily stood her ground. "Arthur and I are legally married. It's done."

Harold looked genuinely troubled. "Julian," he said apologetically, "our daughter has treated you unfairly."

Julian remained calm, almost detached. "I don't accept the apology."

Harold faltered. "Then... what can we do? They're already married."

"They can get a divorce," Julian replied coolly, a slight curl to his lip as he stared at Lily and Arthur. "I don't mind if she's been married before."

Lily immediately panicked, clutching her father's arm. "Dad, I won't get a divorce. I don't want to marry Julian anymore."

Harold sighed in frustration. "You were engaged to him, Lily. Running off with a therapist—how does that compare?"

Frederick, maintaining a stern demeanor, finally spoke. "What's done is done. Let's just... put the engagement behind us."

Julian's expression darkened instantly, his gaze turning icy. "Back then," he said slowly, each word deliberate, "you forced Iris to divorce me so I'd marry Lily. Use those same methods now. Don't play favorites just because it's convenient."

Frederick fell silent, clearly at a loss.

Lily burst out, "You never loved me, Julian! This is just revenge—you don't actually want to marry me!"

Julian let out a cold laugh. "I didn't love you then either. But you swore you'd marry no one else. Now I'm willing to go through with it."

With a slight gesture, he signaled to a security guard nearby, who promptly handed him a document.

Julian tossed it onto the table. "Divorce papers. Sign them, and we can go file for a marriage license today."

Lily gripped Arthur's hand tightly, shaking her head in fear. "I won't sign. I won't marry you." She turned desperately to her parents. "Mom, Dad, he doesn't care about me at all. He's just getting back at me—he's been making my life miserable for three years..."

Harold and Irene exchanged helpless glances, then looked toward Frederick.

Frederick tried a more reasoning tone. "Julian, this isn't exactly fair. Maybe we could—"

"Fair?" Julian shot him a piercing glare. "Was it fair when you seized Iris' research primates and forced her out of my life? Where was your conscience then?"

"That was a different situation—"

"It's exactly the same," Julian interrupted, crossing his legs with an air of unnerving calm. "Use the same heavy-handed tactics you did back then. You've never hesitated to throw your weight around before. I want to marry Lily now—so go ahead. Do whatever it takes."

Frederick clenched his fists, anger and helplessness mingling on his face.

Arthur finally spoke up, voice raised. "Lily is my wife. You need to let this go."

Then he took Lily's hand, and the two walked out without another word.