His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 349: The Remarriage Threat

He rose from the sofa and walked out of the living room.

Once inside the study, Julian pulled out his phone and immediately called Frederick—as if he couldn't wait another moment.

Frederick answered, his tone distant. "What is it?"

"I'm letting you know," Julian said, "that Iris is planning to remarry and take Harper with her."

Frederick's voice tightened instantly. "She's getting married again?"

"We're already divorced. You're the one who pushed for that, remember? So it's not 'again'—it's just moving on."

"Don't play semantics with me. If she wants to marry someone, fine. But taking my granddaughter? Harper is an Everhart. I won't allow her to be raised in some other man's household."

"She doesn't need your permission," Julian replied, his voice firm and edged with irritation. "You have two options here. Either Harper goes with Iris into her new marriage and starts calling another man 'Grandpa', or you help me win Iris back so we can remarry."

Frederick sounded taken aback. "You want me to help you get back with Iris?"

"Suit yourself. But from now on, some other grandfather gets Harper's affection. She might visit you once a year, if that. If you want grandchildren around, focus on Caleb—tell him to settle down and start a family."

Frederick exploded. "Julian, I am not letting her take my granddaughter into another marriage! Who is this man? Who dares to go up against me over my own grandchild?"

Julian paused, considering. The only family that could realistically rival the Everharts in influence was the Whitmores.

"Cayden's son. Brandon Whitmore."

Frederick went quiet for a second. "Cayden... from Aurelium Group?"

"That's the one."

Frederick's temper flared again. "Who does Cayden think he is, trying to take my granddaughter? Can't his son have his own kids? He's been competing with me in business for decades, and now he's coming after my family? I'll show him what he's up against."

With that, Frederick hung up, clearly seething.

Julian heard the anger in his father's voice and felt a flicker of satisfaction. Maybe this would work after all.

Now he'd wait and see what his father did next.

*****

The next morning, Julian's phone rang while he was still half-asleep. He got up quickly, washed his face, changed, and headed out.

He stopped at Iris' door, knocked twice, and gently pushed it open.

Iris stirred, rubbing her eyes as she looked up at him, still drowsy.

He walked over, kissed her softly on the forehead, and whispered, "I have to go out. I won't be back for lunch—don't wait for me. I'll be home as early as this afternoon. If you miss me, just text. I'll reply as soon as I see it."

Iris nodded, her eyes already closing again. "Mmm, okay," she mumbled sleepily.

"Want me to check in every hour?"

A faint smile touched her lips. "No, I'm not that clingy."

Julian kissed her cheek and tugged the blanket up to her shoulders. "I'm heading out, then."

"Okay."

He stood and slipped quietly out of the room, pulling the door shut behind him.

Outside, Owen was already waiting beside the car.

"Mr. Everhart, good morning," Owen said respectfully, holding the rear door open.

Julian slid into the back seat.

Once Owen was in the passenger side, Julian leaned forward. "You're sure they located that doctor?"

"We found him. He's at the police station now."

"Did he give a name? Who was behind it?"

"Yes. It was Arthur."

Arthur.

Julian's fist clenched. The muscles in his neck tightened, and his eyes burned with a slow, simmering anger.

Old grudges and new—this time, he was going to settle it all.

Half an hour later, Julian arrived at the police station. Inside, he saw the doctor from three years ago—and Arthur was there, too.

Brandon had also been called in as a witness from that period.

Despite the statements given, Arthur kept denying everything. Lily had even arranged a lawyer for him.

With a case this old—only two doctors as witnesses, and no lasting physical harm to Iris in the end—it was difficult to make charges stick.

After a few quiet words from Lily's lawyer, the doctor changed his story on the spot. He turned around and accused Julian of paying him to give a false statement.

Lacking sufficient evidence, the police had no choice but to let Arthur go.

As they walked out of the station, Lily held Arthur's arm, both of them wearing looks of smug satisfaction as they approached Julian and Brandon.

The expressions on Julian and Brandon's faces were stormy.

Lily's voice was sickly sweet, almost taunting. "Julian, it's been three years. Haven't you figured it out yet? Iris never really loved you. That was just her excuse to leave. All that drama about us forcing her out, her leaving to protect the baby—it was all a lie. She made it up. None of it happened. And of course," she added, glancing at Brandon, "Brandon here has been helping Iris keep up the act."

Julian's expression darkened further. "Five years ago—did you have Arthur set that whole thing up? Asking her to help with a paper, taking her to a hotel... trying to tear us apart?"

"Yeah, so what?" Lily gave a cold, triumphant smile. "It's not illegal, anyway. What are you going to do about it?"

Julian's hands were clenched so tightly the veins stood out along his knuckles. If they hadn't been standing right in front of the police station, he wouldn't have been able to hold back from throwing a punch.

Lily raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting to Brandon. "Well, if it isn't the doctor who lived with Iris for a year. You two are love rivals, and yet you get along so well. Honestly, I'm impressed."