His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 321: A Sharp Retort

"Okay, thanks, Grandpa." Harper smiled brightly, leaned in to give Frederick a soft hug around the neck, and planted a kiss on his cheek. Then she turned to Julian. "Daddy, you and Mommy go have fun. I'll stay here. I want to play with Grandpa."

Frederick's heart melted completely at his little granddaughter's sweet words. He had smiled more that afternoon than he had in months, beaming with so much joy he seemed to glow. Waving a hand dismissively at Julian, he said, "Go on, get out of here. Don't interrupt our chess time."

Lily had been watching Julian and Iris closely the whole time. Seeing Julian hold Iris earlier had nearly broken her composure.

She quickly stood, walked over, and crouched beside Harper, resting her hands lightly on the girl's shoulders. "Julian, you two go enjoy yourselves. I'll help look after Harper."

Julian's expression darkened. He gently pulled Harper back, scooped her up, and settled her in his arms.

Noticing the tension, Iris slipped out of the car and hurried over.

Both Lily and Frederick rose to their feet.

Frederick frowned, displeasure clear in his voice. "Harper just said she wants to stay with her grandpa. As her father, shouldn't you respect her wishes instead of being so overbearing?"

Julian offered a faint, almost mocking smile. "Learned from the best."

Frederick's face flushed with anger.

When Iris reached them, she held out her hands. "Let me take her."

Julian passed Harper over.

Lily's eyes briefly cooled as she looked at Iris, though she kept a polite smile in place. "Harper is absolutely beautiful. People always say daughters take after their fathers, but she doesn't really look like Julian at all."

It was true that Harper strongly resembled Iris, but the way Lily said it carried a subtle sting—enough to make anyone in earshot uneasy.

Especially Frederick, who adored his granddaughter. The comment stuck in his throat, and a flicker of doubt crossed his mind as his eyes darted between Julian's and Harper's features.

Lily's words felt like a quiet insult to Iris, who struggled to hold back her anger, chest tight, searching for a way to defend herself without causing a scene.

Just then, Julian replied calmly, a relaxed smile on his lips. "It just means Iris' genes are stronger than mine. Harper is my daughter—no doubt about that. After all, Iris has always been the traditional type. From the beginning till now, I've been her only man. She's not as... open-minded as some people, who managed to find time for other guys while making a big show of wanting to marry me. Now that's what I call progressive."

Lily's face went pale.

Everyone nearby had heard. The older generation stared at her in stunned disbelief.

Ryder slammed a hand on the table and stood up, furious. "Julian, that's too far! How dare you spread lies about my granddaughter?"

"No need to get upset, Ryder," Julian replied evenly, that faint smirk still playing on his lips. "Whether it's a lie or not, why not ask your grandson-in-law? After all, your granddaughter has been in a steady physical relationship with him since high school."

"Since high school?" Ryder turned to Arthur, voice trembling. "You mean all along, when you were treating my granddaughter, you two were already...?"

He couldn't finish, shaking with anger.

Arthur looked caught, shifting uncomfortably under the older man's gaze. "It's not like that, Grandpa."

Lily rushed to Ryder's side, steadying his arm. "Grandpa, don't listen to him. Julian is just making things up."

From the corner of the room, Caleb, Jenny, and Luke were whispering just a little too loudly.

Jenny's voice sounded. "I never knew Lily was so... loose. No wonder she's always with Celeste. Birds of a feather."

Caleb added, "Probably more shady stuff we don't even know."

Luke chimed in, "Honey, you are who you hang out with. You really shouldn't see her anymore."

Jenny nodded. "She's always been close with Celeste and Selena. I stopped spending time with her a while ago."

Lily spun around and shot them a sharp glare.

The three immediately fell silent, offering awkward, strained smiles.

Frederick, Vivian, Martin, and Gloria—the four elders—were now looking at Lily with a mix of shock and distaste.

Clenching her fists, Lily turned back to Julian, each word sharp and heated. "Julian, all I said was your daughter doesn't look like you. Was it really necessary to ruin my reputation over something so small?"

Julian took Harper back from Iris, holding her with one arm while taking Iris' hand with the other. His tone was low and final. "If you don't want proof slapped right in front of everyone, learn to keep your mouth shut and stay away. Don't come at me, and don't mess with my woman or my daughter."

With that, he turned and walked away, carrying his daughter and leading Iris by the hand.

Lily stood rigid, grinding her teeth so hard her jaw ached. Her fists trembled at her sides, eyes burning with fury as she stared after Julian.

That vengeful mindset—if she couldn't have him, she'd ruin him—swelled wildly in her chest, threatening to boil over.

Julian settled Harper into her car seat in the back, buckled her in, and handed her a picture book.

He slid into the driver's seat while Iris quietly fastened her seatbelt in the passenger side.

After a moment of soft clicking, Iris' voice came gently, almost hesitant. "We've been apart for three years. How can you be so sure I've only ever been with you?"