His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 335: A Dangerous Meeting

"Brandon made a full breakfast," Julian remarked calmly as he stirred the tomatoes in the skillet, adding a splash of water. "So I'm whipping up some pasta instead."

"Lucky me," Scott chimed in, picking up on the unspoken tension in the room and trying to lighten the mood. "Nothing like a solid breakfast to kick off the day right."

Around the breakfast table, the four of them sat wrapped in their own thoughts.

Brandon nudged a piece of toast slathered with blueberry jam toward Iris. "Try this—it's that blueberry spread you love."

Julian shot Brandon a cool glance before turning to Iris, his voice low. "Eat the pasta while it's hot, or it'll turn mushy."

Caught in the middle, Iris took a hurried bite of the toast and a slurp of pasta at the same time, nearly choking in the process.

Scott quickly handed her a glass of water. "Easy there—we've got all the time in the world."

Iris gave him a grateful look and accepted the water. "Thanks."

"You okay?" Brandon asked, concern etching his features. "Want me to pat your back?"

Julian glared at him, taking a slow breath to keep his composure. He shifted closer to Iris instead, gently rubbing her back. "No need to trouble Brandon."

A shadow crossed Brandon's eyes. He changed the subject. "So, Iris—what's on the agenda for today?"

Julian answered before she could. "Everything's arranged. We wait for Arden's call, then head over together. You'll each need to wear accessories embedded with covert recording and tracking tech—just as a precaution. A security detail will follow at a distance, ready to step in if needed."

"What kind of accessories are we talking?" Scott asked curiously.

"Rings, glasses, hair ties—small items," Julian explained. "Each has a microchip inside, about the size of a grain of rice."

"Won't scanners pick them up?"

"No," Julian said evenly. "It's a new product from our company. We've tested it against every scanner on the market—passes every time."

Scott still looked puzzled. "If it's that advanced, how come the police don't already use it?"

"They've started rolling it out," Julian replied simply.

Just then, Iris' phone buzzed.

All three men immediately went still, their eyes fixed on her.

She answered, holding the phone to her ear.

After a moment of listening, she said quietly, "Okay," and ended the call.

Iris' expression darkened, unease written across her face. "That was Arden. He wants to meet at his company offices—four o'clock this afternoon."

Brandon tensed. "Alone?"

Iris nodded.

Julian's face turned serious. "That's too risky. You can't go by yourself."

"I have to," Iris insisted firmly. "My colleagues are still with him."

"At least let me come," Brandon pressed. "I'm a doctor. If anything happens—"

"Not necessary," Julian cut in. "I'll be with Iris the whole time. I've already arranged professional security, and the police are sending backup."

Worried the two would start arguing again, Iris took charge, her voice steady and resolute. "Neither of you is coming with me. I don't want Arden getting suspicious. Dr. Whitmore, I need you to check in at the company—with the R&D department in crisis, we can't afford to let everything else fall apart.

"Julian, you stay back with the security team and police coordination. Wait for my signal. If anything changes, I'll contact you immediately."

She paused, then added, "Scott will come with me."

Though visibly worried, the three men fell silent, recognizing the sense in her plan.

After breakfast, Julian handed Scott a pair of glasses fitted with a discreet smart chip.

Iris held her hand out to Julian. "Where's mine?"

Without a word, Julian took her hand and guided her back to the bedroom, closing the door behind them.

"What's going on?" Iris asked, confused.

Julian reached into his pocket, then made a fist and held it out toward her. "Care to guess what it is?"

"A hair clip?"

Slowly, he opened his hand. Resting in his palm was an elegant, brilliant diamond ring.

Iris' heart jumped. She went very still, emotions swirling inside her.

Once, she had dreamed of receiving a ring from Julian—but never like this, not after the divorce, and certainly not under these circumstances.

Julian picked it up gently. "Embedded inside the band is a microchip. Besides monitoring your heart rate and body temperature, it also has live GPS tracking."

A shiver ran down Iris' spine. Technology really had come this far.

Julian looked at her, hope glimmering in his eyes, his voice rough and low. "Will you wear this ring? The one I'm giving you?"

Iris offered a faint, bittersweet smile. "Do I have another option?"

A flicker of disappointment passed through his gaze. He nodded, his tone growing heavier. "Yes. A hairpin, a button, a chip in your shoe, even a false fingernail."

He began to lower his hand, fingers slowly curling around the ring once more.

He looked defeated.

Then Iris gave him a gentle, warm smile and extended her slender fingers. "Put it on for me."

Julian couldn't help but smile back. He slid the ring carefully onto her ring finger. "Iris... promise me you won't take this off."

She watched as the ring settled into place, warmth blooming in her chest, deeply moved.

He lowered his head and brushed a soft kiss against her fair, slender finger.

"Iris, I won't make you sad again," he whispered, pulling her into a tight embrace, his cheek resting near her ear. "And I won't let you get hurt. Stay safe. If you're ever in danger, press down hard on the diamond. I'll come get you—no matter what."