His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 73: Regret and Exposure

Julian tossed the water bottle into the trash. His face was cold, and he turned around and left without a word.

Owen hurried to keep up.

Lily wiped her tears, forgot all about crying, and trotted after Julian.

Iris stared at Julian's angry back. Her heart raced, and her hands and feet went cold. A sharp ache welled up in her chest, and her eyes teared up.

The crowd around them slowly scattered.

Carl felt super awkward. He sighed helplessly and went back to work.

Zoe walked over to Iris, guilty and dejected. "I'm so sorry, Iris. I didn't think this would happen."

Iris's face was pale. Her heart felt sour for no reason, mixed with a little pain. She forced a smile and shook her head. "Zoe, don't blame yourself. You didn't say anything wrong. Lily's just putting on a show."

Zoe looked at Iris, her eyes full of hurt. "I never knew Lily was this good at lying. She can turn black into white. Obviously, she's the one who... No, I shouldn't have meddled. I messed this up for you. I'll go explain to Julian. It was just my anger, nothing to do with you."

Iris grabbed her hand, her voice trembling. "Really, don't. Zoe."

Tears filled her eyes, and she tried to hide them. She hung her head, not wanting Zoe to see, not wanting to worry her.

But she couldn't hold back the tears.

Her chest ached with sharp, throbbing pain.

Their relationship that had finally warmed up these past few days would probably go back to how it was before.

Maybe even worse.

Julian must be really angry.

He probably thought she and Zoe ganged up to bully Lily at the wrong time, ruining her reputation and spreading rumors about their "pure" friendship.

Just thinking about it made her heart ache.

Iris turned her head and secretly wiped the tears from the corner of her eye.

When Zoe saw her, she felt terrible. She hugged her tightly, guilty. "I'm so sorry, Iris. I really didn't mean this."

The more Zoe apologized, the sadder Iris felt.

She forced a smile, pushed Zoe away, and tried to sound calm. "It's fine... Let's get back to work. Let him think what he wants. It doesn't matter. Lily's important to him, but you're important to me."

Zoe's eyes turned red.

She felt bad for Iris, and she hated that Lily had turned the tables on them.

But what could she do?

Julian and Lily shared a drink. They had no shame and they would never think they did anything wrong.

They'd just think she and Iris were making a big deal out of nothing.

She was so angry!

But there was nothing she could do.

She had to pull herself together and get back to work.

On the busy street, the car drove smoothly.

Lily was still sniffling, complaining in a wronged tone. "We're both girls. I never thought they'd slander me like this. If they had a problem, why didn't they talk to me directly? Being nice to my face, but talking behind my back..."

The veins on Julian's hand holding the steering wheel popped out. "Lily, are you done?"

Lily looked at him, eyes wide with hurt. "Am I done? I just got so wronged, and you're yelling at me?"

Julian snapped, "If I hadn't taken you away, would you have set up a stage at Iris's booth and kept putting on a show? Would you only be happy if everyone at the expo thought they were bullying you and ruined their show?"

Lily looked indignant. "They were bullying me! Are they scared I'll make a scene? I'm an unmarried girl, and they spread rumors about me, saying we had an indirect kiss. Aren't they in the wrong?"

Julian scoffed, his face cold. "Why did you drink my water?"

"I already explained to Iris. I grabbed the wrong one by accident. And she didn't even mind. How was I supposed to know her best friend would lose her mind?"

"Didn't mind!" Julian's voice dropped, repeating those words with a hint of sourness and self-mockery.

Suddenly, he turned the steering wheel and pulled the car over to the side of the road.

He leaned back in his seat, exhausted, and took a deep breath.

Lily swallowed nervously and leaned over. "Are you okay?"

"If you really grabbed the wrong bottle, why would Zoe be sarcastic to me?" Julian looked up at the rearview mirror, his cold eyes staring at Lily. The anger in his eyes was still boiling.

"How would I know?" Lily whined. "She just doesn't like you!"

"And why doesn't she like me?"

"Ask her yourself!" Lily snapped. "Why ask me?"

"What did you say to Iris to make them misunderstand?"

Lily froze, panicking. "So many people were watching in the booth. I didn't say anything."

Julian spoke slowly. "Zoe was sarcastic to me, but she didn't even mention your name. You started crying and acting crazy—putting on such a big show. What are you afraid of?"

"I... I..." Lily couldn't find a good explanation.

Owen muttered quietly, "I think... she probably told Mrs. Everhart that you two share everything—even drinks—and you don't mind."

Lily flew into a rage. She clenched her fist and hit Owen hard. "Are you out of your mind? I never said that! You're framing me! Do you have any proof? Did you hear me or see me?"