His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 51: An Unspoken Attitude

After saying that, she turned and walked away.

As they passed each other, Julian grabbed her arm tightly. "Agree to what?"

Iris's chest ached faintly, a sour feeling welling up. Her breath hitched. She didn't dare look at him. Her voice was soft, hurt, and full of grievance. "We can get a divorce, but I'll never partner with you."

Julian's face turned pitch black, his tone icy. "Iris, we don't have to partner, but we are not getting a divorce."

Shock flashed across Iris's face. Her wrist throbbed where he'd grabbed her, and she stared at him quietly.

Julian let go of her arm. "Wait for me outside."

Iris didn't respond. She hurried out of the study and closed the door.

Inside the study...

Frederick was so angry that he stood with his hands on his hips, then sank onto the sofa to catch his breath. His face was livid, fire in his eyes.

Julian sat across from him, asking coldly, "Dad, what the hell do you want?"

Frederick gritted his teeth, tapping his finger hard on the coffee table. "I was short-sighted before. I teamed up with the board members to ruin your investment in her company. But we're still family. I'm her father-in-law! How dare she talk to me like that? How dare she stand up to me?"

Julian smirked coldly, his eyes full of disdain. He didn't even bother to reply.

Frederick couldn't swallow his anger. He ordered, "If she refuses to partner, you divorce her. I never agreed to you marrying her in the first place. You're from different worlds. She's useless to the Everhart Group's business."

Julian leaned lazily back on the sofa, staring at Frederick calmly, his tone cold and indifferent. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that."

Frederick frowned. "What do you mean?"

Julian's eyes turned deep, his voice low and sharp, word by word. "Stay out of my marriage. Leave Iris alone. You know that's my line."

Frederick's clenched fists trembled slightly, his neck veins popping. His breathing grew heavy as he held back his anger, ready to explode.

But he knew that yelling or threatening wouldn't work.

If it did, Julian would never have married Iris two years ago.

Frederick was so mad he picked up the coffee from the table and chugged it down, slamming the cup hard onto the table with a loud "bang."

The tense atmosphere grew even thicker. No direct fight, but tension simmered beneath the surface.

Julian hung his head, pinching his brows with his long fingers. He closed his eyes and asked coldly, "Why did you call me here?"

Frederick calmed down, speaking seriously. "I arranged Lily to be your secretary. Teach her the ropes of business and management. She's going to take over Harold's company someday."

Julian looked up at him, speaking slowly. "I don't need a secretary. And I'm not qualified to teach her. Wouldn't it be better to put her as her father's secretary?"

Frederick explained, "Harold spoils Lily too much. If she's his secretary, he'll do all the work. She won't learn a thing, and she'll just be a hassle for him."

"Then find someone else."

"I've already decided. You don't get to say no. She'll start at the company tomorrow."

Julian's eyes turned cold, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "You don't want to work, but you keep meddling in the company's affairs. Do you want to pull the strings from behind the scenes?"

Frederick flew into a rage, threatening. "I may be retired, but I'm still the company's biggest shareholder. All the other board members follow my lead. Do you really think I dare not kick you out?"

Julian stood up. "As long as it doesn't involve Iris, do whatever you want."

After saying that, he strode out of the study.

*****

After leaving the study, Iris went to Beatrice's room to greet her. They chatted for a bit, then she went outside to the garden, standing by Julian's car to wait for him.

It was mid-May in the south, and the weather was perfect. The sun was warm and the breeze gentle, making people feel lazy and relaxed.

She was feeling down. She thought about what Julian had said, unable to figure out what he was thinking.

No love, no affection, no divorce?

The only reason she'd held on this long, not wanting a divorce, was because she loved him, couldn't let go, and still had hope for their marriage.

But why Julian?

A "beep" sounded as the car unlocked. Iris's thoughts snapped back, and she looked at Julian walking out of the villa.

"Get in." Julian's face was dark as he walked to the driver's seat.

Iris hesitated for a second by the car, then pulled open the back door, got in, and buckled her seatbelt.

Julian froze as he was buckling his seatbelt. He looked up at the rearview mirror, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes.

After settling in, Iris turned her head to look out the window. Her heart was heavy and messy. Even the beautiful weather outside made her feel stuffy and oppressed.

"Why not sit up front?" Julian asked in a flat tone.

Iris didn't expect him to ask that. Maybe it was a moment of foolishness, or maybe she was just too wronged and upset. She blurted out, "That's Lily's seat. I won't sit there."

The car fell into dead silence.

Iris couldn't see Julian's expression. She usually was good at hiding her feelings, but after Frederick's nonsense today, her heart was really messed up. She'd said something she shouldn't have.

After a long time, the silence wasn't broken. Julian started the car and drove off.