Chapter 30
Rosalie had fully expected Julian to react the same way Edward did–to point a finger at her, reprimand her for being rude and ill–mannered, and accuse her of being sharp–tongued and disrespectful.
After all, for the past year, Julian had made it no secret that he loathed her. But with his grandfather Issac pressuring him, he hadn’t been able to do much about it.
Now that he finally had the perfect opportunity, Rosalie had assumed he would seize it and tear into her without holding back.
She never imagined that, instead, Julian would take her side and defend her.
Rosalie was stunned. And across from her, the trio of Edward, Helena, and Claudia were even more dumbfounded. They had thought Rosalie was already shameless enough, but now, Julian had just proven to be even more outrageous.
Julian, you also think I’m just a burden, the stepchild that no one wants?” Helena’s voice trembled, and her eyes instantly reddened for real this time.
She thought bitterly, ‘I don’t care what Rosalie says about me. She’s just a pathetic little wretch who lost her mother. Once Dad fully takes control of Talley Group, that bitch will be thrown out like the trash she is.
But to Helena, Julian’s opinion of her mattered. She didn’t want him to see her as nothing more than a joke, an unwanted outsider.
Julian barely spared Helena a glance before retracting his gaze, showing no interest in entertaining her theatrics.
Edward’s heart ached at the sight of his favorite daughter looking so wounded. His anger flared instantly–Julian had humiliated Helena under Edward’s roof, and that was unacceptable to him.
Helena had always been fragile, born prematurely and struggling with health issues ever since. Her heart had never fully developed, and she’d been born with congenital heart disease. The weight of those medical struggles had shaped her entire life, making her weaker than others.
On top of that, because of Edward’s need to maintain his image, she had spent over a decade living under the title of “stepdaughter” instead of being openly acknowledged as his own flesh and blood. He had always felt guilty for that.
Seeing Helena suffer now hurt him more than if he had taken the blow himself.
“Julian,” Edward said sharply, his voice tinged with fury, “no matter what, Helena is still your sister–in–law. How could you say something like that?”
The faint smirk that had been lingering on Julian’s lips vanished entirely. His gaze, once indifferent, turned sharp as he looked at Edward, his eyes narrowing slightly.
15:13 Mon, 3 Mar
Chapter 31
