“Julia… over here!” Sandra called out the second Julia entered the meeting hall where other staff were already seated.

Julia rushed over to where Sandra was and took a seat by her right-hand side, closer to the conference table.

“You don't look okay, what's wrong?” Sandra asked as soon as Julia took her seat.

“I…” Julia opened her mouth to speak, but Sandra cut her off briefly.

“I want the truth, Julia. You know you can trust me!” Sandra urged as she placed her hand on Julia's. This made her comfortable in some way, so she decided to open up to Sandra.

“I just got a divorce, Sandra… and guess what, my son needs a bone marrow transplant from his father,” Julia explained briefly, blinking her eyes as she tried to hold back the tears that threatened to trail down her ashen cheeks.

“What? You divorced Logan?” Sandra was so shocked because she knew how long Julia had been waiting for him to return to the country.

“I had to, Sandra. He's dating Amelia, my stepsister, and they are going to have a baby soon,” Julia spoke with bitterness in her tone as she stared at Sandra.

“What the fuck? That bastard! I should have known!” She tried to keep her voice down so a rumour wouldn't start. “So what will you do about Liam… he needs his father.”

“That's the most intriguing part of it all, Sandra. Logan isn't my son's father… it happens I had an affair the night before the wedding and I don't know who it is!” Julia opened up fully to Sandra, whose jaw dropped instantly.

“There’s no way I can find him…” Julia added, and just then, the doors to the hall opened, drawing everyone's attention immediately.

“The CEO is here!” a voice announced, making everyone, including Julia, stand to their feet.

They turned simultaneously, drawn by the sound of approaching footsteps echoing down the hall.

The first thing that caught Julia's attention was a pair of Italian leather shoes, impeccably polished, followed by the sight of lean, long legs encased in perfectly tailored trousers that accentuated his stature and poise.

His navy blue suit, adorned with subtle red accents at the wrists, was expertly tailored, hinting at wealth.

As he moved closer, his black curly hair swept over his forehead in a controlled tousle, framing his chiselled features and complementing his intense, icy blue eyes that seemed to pierce through the room with an unspoken authority.

It was Caspian, their elusive boss who had returned from the States after five long years. The murmurs of recognition and admiration rippled through the crowd as he entered, commanding attention effortlessly.

The air in the room seemed to shift as all eyes turned towards him, greeting him with a mixture of respect and awe.

Amidst the subtle chaos of welcoming cheers and whispered conversations, Caspian's gaze unexpectedly locked onto Julia.

At that moment, time seemed to slow down for her. She stood there, struck by his presence, unable to find words as she felt the weight of his intense gaze.

And then, it dawned on her; the man she had bumped into at the hospital, the one who had unintentionally disrupted her rush, was none other than Caspian himself, Global Tech Trillionaire and her BOSS.

“Fuck!” she exclaimed as she turned her gaze away from him, biting her lower lip in embarrassment.

“You may have your seat!” Caspian's deep voice commanded. Every lady in the room was already swooning over his charm and good looks.

Well, except Julia, who felt embarrassed.

Soon, the meeting commenced with Dominic taking the lead in discussions while Caspian remained unusually still, his gaze fixed on just one direction; Julia.

His intense stare at her did not go unnoticed, especially by Sandra, who leaned over to whisper to Julia, her curiosity piqued.

"Why does the CEO keep staring at you like that, Julia?" Sandra's voice barely above a whisper carried a mix of intrigue and concern.

Julia's heart skipped a beat as she turned her head slightly, following Sandra's gaze to where Caspian sat.

Their eyes locked in a sudden, electric moment. His icy blue eyes held an intensity that both unsettled and intrigued her, stirring a strange mixture of discomfort and attraction within her.

For a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still as they stared at each other. Julia felt an inexplicable pull towards him, as if his gaze had the power to captivate her entirely.

She tore her eyes away, feeling vulnerable under his penetrating stare, yet secretly longing for it to continue.

But then, reality crashed back. A pang of guilt and concern gripped her heart as she remembered Liam, her son, and his condition.

“With that, the meeting has come to an end. Thank you!” Dominic declared, and everyone began to stand up and leave.

Julia couldn't stay much longer as she needed money and had a plan. She stood up, and just as she was about to leave, Sandra gripped her hand.

“Are you sure you don't want to know why he had his eyes fixed on you, Julia?” she giggled softly, whispering into her ear.

“I don't know, Sandra, and I don't care. Please, I have to go to the HR department right now!” Julia asserted as she pulled her hand away from Sandra's grip.

With a last glance at Caspian, she dashed out of the place, his eyes still not leaving her trail.

Reaching the HR department, she walked up to the manager.

“How may I help you this time, Julia?” the lady asked grumpily, not taking her eyes off her computer.

“I don't know if this is the right time, but I need my pay. Half of it, at least,” Julia declared, making the lady pause for a second.

“Your pay? The month just started, Julia. I'm sorry, but it won't be possible,” the chubby lady responded, shaking her head in refusal.

“You don't understand, ma'am. I really need to…” Just as Julia was going to say, the lady cut in sharply.

“We don't have anything for you, Julia. Now leave before I call security!” she yelled.

Julia felt tears in her eyes again. This was her only hope of paying her son's bills. She needed the money.

“But…”

“I said leave!” she struck her hand on the desk angrily, jolting Julia immediately. “Security!” she called out, prompting Julia to act swiftly.

With a sniffle, Julia turned on her heels and left the place, heading right for the exit of the company. The second she got out, she realised it was already late.

“I need to get back to Liam,” she mumbled as she headed for the bus stop.

She was still on her way when, unfortunately, it began to rain heavily.

“Oh no! Not now,” she bit her lower lip as she ran towards the bus stop that was close by.

Her clothes were drenched, clinging uncomfortably to her skin as raindrops continued to pelt down relentlessly.

Julia hurried towards the bus stop, her hair now a mess and water dripping down her face, adding to the discomfort.

The cold seeped through her clothes, sending shivers down her spine despite her efforts to shield herself from the rain.

She huddled under the shelter of the bus stop, desperately trying to stay warm, her teeth chattering faintly against the backdrop of the pouring rain.

Just as she sat down on the bench, reflecting on her life, the flickering light of the signpost for the shop opposite the highway caught her attention.

“A pawnshop?” she called out as she stared at it, and then it came to her.

She looked down at her ring and, knowing how expensive it was, nodded her head in sadness.

“I know I promised never to take this ring off, Logan, but I have no other choice. I am doing this for Liam… I'm sorry!” she let out, and without a second thought, she stood to her feet and sprinted towards the shop.

As Julia pushed open the creaking door, a small bell chimed, announcing her arrival into the dimly lit shop.

The air was heavy with the smell of stale tobacco and damp wood. She hesitated in the doorway, her heart skipping a beat as she noticed the intimidating figures of muscular, rough-looking men occupying each corner of the room.

Their hardened stares bore into her, making her feel uncomfortably exposed in their presence.

Swallowing nervously, Julia tried to avoid their intense gazes as she approached the counter.

“How may I help you?” his deep, gruff voice cut through the silence like gravel crunching underfoot.

He looked up from his task, his eyes briefly scanning her before settling on her face.

“I… I'd like to sell my ring,” Julia stammered, her fingers fumbling as she slid the ring off her trembling hand and placed it on the counter in front of him.

The man took the ring, turning it over in his rough, calloused hands, his expression unreadable.

“This looks nice,” he sneered as he took a close look at the item in his hand.

“But it's old now, and I can only offer you $800 for this,” he let out, making Julia's eyes bulge.

“What? No! That won't be enough…” she shook her head as she let out.

“Then I'm sorry, I can't help you,” he emitted, handing the ring back to her.

Julia wanted to save her son, but selling the ring for lower than its actual price wasn't what she wanted. She took the ring back, and just as she turned to leave, the door was pushed open, revealing Logan and Amelia before her.

It was almost like they were monitoring her every move.

“Well, well, if it isn't Julia… I told you that she'd want to sell the ring, didn't I? She never loved you, Logan. She only married and tricked you for money!”

“What? Married him for money? We both know that isn't true, Amelia!” Julia snapped at her as she tightened her fist. She couldn't believe that Amelia would make up such filthy stories just to bring her down.

“If I am lying, then tell me why you had another man between your legs right before your wedding day, Julia?” Amelia uttered disgustingly, shocking Julia suddenly.

“I don't have time for this, Amelia. So if you both don't mind, I'd like you to leave my way!” Julia commanded and was about to walk out of the shop, but Amelia grabbed her hand and pulled her back to her former spot.

“Oh, you can't run yet, Julia. Not when you haven't admitted that you are nothing but a slut who birthed a bastard!” Amelia declared through gritted teeth.

With deliberate, menacing steps, Amelia closed the distance between herself and Julia. Her presence felt suffocating, increased by the malicious glint in her eyes as she leaned in close, her voice a venomous whisper in Julia's ear.

"You know, you could kneel and beg me... I might just know who the father of your twerp is!" The words cut through Julia like shards of glass, igniting a fierce storm of anger and hurt within her.

Julia's reaction was instinctive, fueled by a surge of raw emotion. Without hesitation, she swung her hand, delivering a stinging slap across Amelia's cheek.

The sharp sound echoed in the tense silence of the store, Amelia recoiling from the impact, her hand flying to her reddening skin.

"Mind your words, Amelia!" Julia's voice was sharp, laced with authority and indignation. "I am much older than you, remember?"

Amelia stumbled backward, caught off guard by Julia's sudden strength. She instinctively sought peace in Logan's embrace, his arms wrapping protectively around her.

“Are you going insane, Julia? Do you want to hurt her and the baby?” Logan bellowed as he glared at Julia.

“Her baby? What a joke!” Julia scoffed, rolling her eyes in disgust.

“Whatever silly plot she has, I hope you don't fall even deeper for it. Amelia is nothing but a cunning bitch!” She yelled at the top of her voice, causing Logan to let go of Amelia and grab Julia by the neck in a tight grip, almost suffocating her.

Panic flashed in Julia's eyes as she struggled against his strong grasp, feeling the pressure constricting her windpipe.

"Let go!" Her voice came out in strained gasps as she fought to pry his fingers away. In the midst of their struggle, the ring she held slipped from her hand, hitting the floor with a sharp clink.

"You're the one who's cunning, Julia!" Logan's accusation cut through the air as he shoved her away, his grip releasing abruptly. Julia stumbled backward, her heart racing with a mixture of fear and anger.

The moment she hit the ground, her focus narrowed to finding the ring. It was her last hope for financial stability, she couldn't afford to lose it. Ignoring the throbbing pain in her neck and the ache in her chest, she frantically scanned the floor.

Finally spotting it, relief flooded through her as she reached out. But before her fingers could grasp the ring, Amelia's foot came down hard, crushing Julia's hand against the unforgiving floor.

"Ahh!" The pain shot through Julia like lightning, her cry echoing in the tense silence of the room. Tears welled in her eyes as she recoiled, clutching her injured hand to her chest.

Amelia bent over, picked up the ring, and shot a glare at Julia. “This isn't yours anymore!” She stood up with the ring and handed it over to Logan. “It is mine now.”

With a vicious sneer on her lips, she stretched out her fingers to Logan, a sign indicating that it was time for her to put on the ring; Julia's ring.

“No! That's mine!” Julia sprang to her feet, and just as she was about to reach for it, Logan pushed her away.

“Not anymore, Julia!” He said bluntly. “You see, I have always promised to get Amelia this kind of ring, and if she wants this, then I won't hesitate to give it to her,” he sneered.

Julia didn't want to let go of the ring because of its value, but in the end, it was his. She sighed with a tightened fist.

“Fine!” Julia declared. “Since you want all of my trash anyways, I'll allow you to have that in your collection too! After all, I was going to throw it out. That's what trash is for!” She snarled as she declared, making Amelia rage in fury.

"How dare you say such a thing..." Amelia's voice dripped with venom as she lifted her hand, ready to strike Julia across the face.

Before her blow could land, a powerful grip seized her wrist, forcefully pulling her away from Julia.

"Don't you even think of laying a single finger on her!" The deep, commanding voice resonated through the store, drawing everyone's attention. Julia turned to see Caspian standing there, his presence imposing and unexpected.

Her heart raced with a mix of relief and intrigue. Why was Caspian here, and why was he intervening in this situation?

Logan, seething with anger, moved to confront Caspian, but Dominic swiftly interposed himself, standing firm in front of Logan. His voice was stern and unwavering as he cautioned Logan against any rash actions.

"I'd advise you to stay still, Mr. Logan. Don't overstep your boundaries with Mr. Caspian!" Dominic's words were a clear warning, his hands visibly tense as they remained in his pockets.

Seeing that Dominic had everything under control, Caspian walked over to where Julia was standing. With his arms wrapped around her waist, he pulled her closer to his warm body, which shocked Julia deeply.

“Are these beggars bothering you, honey?” Caspian asked in the most romantic way possible, his icy eyes piercing into Julia's, leaving her lost and confused.

Why was he calling her sweet names?

“And who do you think you are to call her that?” Logan snapped, seeing Julia and Caspian so close to each other.

“Isn't it obvious?” Caspian sneered as his grip tightened. “She's my wife, and I am her husband!”

“What?” Julia and Amelia exclaimed as they snapped their gazes to Caspian, who sounded more dominating than ever.

“That's not true, man! She is my wife!” Logan declared, suddenly tinged with anger and jealousy.

“Not anymore, fussball. I am her husband now, and you are nothing but an ex who lost his chance at a better life. Have fun with your slut!” Caspian cursed as he grabbed Julia's hand and dragged her out of the shop before Logan could say another word to him.

“Sir, I…” Julia immediately pulled her hand out of his grip the moment they left the shop, her head lowered in respect but confusion.

“Don't stop now; they might notice!” He grabbed her hand again and was about to keep dragging her to his car, but she thwarted his steps, pulling her hand out of his grip.

"I'm sorry, but I can't go with you. I don't know why you helped me, but…" Julia began to speak, her words cut short as Caspian stepped forward decisively.

His hand gently cupped her cheek, his touch both unexpected and surprisingly tender. Before she could react, he drew her closer and pressed his lips against hers in a sudden, intense kiss.

Julia froze, her mind spinning as his kiss took her by surprise. Her wide eyes reflected a mixture of shock and disbelief, her heart racing in her chest.

As Julia's senses returned to her, she instinctively pushed Caspian and took a step away from him, creating a distance between them. Her voice trembled with a mix of confusion and shock.

"What do you think you're trying to do, sir?" Her tone was sharp, her expression guarded as she tried to process the sudden turn of events.

"Isn't it obvious, Julia?" Caspian's voice held a hint of urgency and determination.

"I want you to be my wife. Marry me, Julia Thompson, and I promise to make them pay for treating you this way.”

"Marry me, Julia, and I promise to make them pay for everything they've done to you. I'll help you get the revenge you want!" Caspian's deep, commanding voice echoed through the spacious alleyway where he and Julia stood, just moments after leaving the dimly lit pawn shop.

Julia felt her breath catch in her throat, her entire body freezing in shock at his words. She stared at him, wide-eyed, her mind racing to process what he had just said.

Caspian Michaelson, the city's wealthiest trillionaire, a man who could have anything and anyone he wanted, was standing before her, offering more than just his wealth.

He was offering his power, his influence, and his hand in marriage—all to help her settle the score against those who had wronged her.

But it wasn’t just anyone making this offer—it was her boss, the man she had never imagined would be standing here, asking her to marry him for revenge.

A flood of questions rushed through Julia's mind as she tried to make sense of everything that had happened in just a few seconds.

‘Does he really love me? Or is he doing this because he can’t stand seeing someone being mistreated, even though he’s usually so arrogant?’ she wondered, her eyebrows drawing together as she looked at him closely.

When Julia stepped into that pawnshop, she had one goal in mind: to sell the ring on her finger and use the money to pay for her son's hospital bill.

She never expected anything more. The thought that her boss, Caspian, would be the one to step in and help her was beyond anything she could have imagined.

She certainly didn’t expect him to kiss her, and the idea that he would propose to her was something she hadn’t even dared to dream of.

As the silence stretched on and Julia didn’t immediately respond, Caspian took a step closer, his eyes locked on hers.

He reached out and took her hand in his, his grip firm but gentle, as if he was silently promising that he wouldn’t let her go. It was strange, this tenderness in him.

Julia felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins, a mix of excitement and fear battling within her.

The offer Caspian made was undeniably tempting—a chance to right the wrongs done to her, to get the revenge she had secretly craved.

But as much as she wanted to say yes, doubts gnawed at her. How could she agree to this so soon after her divorce? She barely knew Caspian, and the mystery surrounding her son’s father only made things more complicated.

"What do you say, Julia? I can…" Caspian began, his voice low and persuasive, but before he could finish, Julia took three hurried steps back, distancing herself from him.

The words she had to say next were hard, but she knew she had to say them.

Caspian’s eyes darkened with frustration as he realised what was coming. He could see it in the way she pulled away, in the hesitation in her gaze. The rejection he sensed made his jaw clench in anger.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Caspian, but this... this isn’t what I expected," Julia stammered, her voice trembling as she tried to steady herself.

"I know I want revenge, but I can’t use my boss to get it. I can’t do that to you. Please, understand."

"You’re not using me, Julia," Caspian replied, his voice firm, almost commanding, as he took a step forward, his eyes boring into hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.

"This is what I want. I’m not offering this out of pity or obligation. I mean it."

Julia searched his face, trying to find any hint of deceit, but all she saw was determination and sincerity.

He wasn’t lying; she could tell. But that only left her more confused. Why would the richest man in the city, a man who could have anyone, choose her?

"I have a son," she blurted out, as if that fact alone should be enough to make him reconsider.

Caspian shook his head, brushing aside her concern as if it were insignificant. "It’s just an act, Julia. It’s not a real marriage," he explained, his tone almost dismissive.

At his words, her heart sank. So that’s all this was to him—a role to play, nothing more. He didn’t want her for who she was; he wanted her for the part she could play in his life, a means to an end.

The realisation stung, and Julia felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. The excitement she’d felt just moments before was replaced with a hollow ache.

"I... I must have gotten ahead of myself just now," Julia stammered, her voice laced with regret.

"Thank you for helping me, but I don’t think this is possible. I have a son to take care of. If you’ll excuse me, Sir." She gave a small, polite bow, her eyes downcast, before turning on her heels and walking away, her frown deepening with each step.

As she walked, her thoughts swirled in a chaotic mix of emotions. She didn’t want to get involved with Caspian.

The risks were too great, not just for her but for her son as well. She couldn’t afford to get herself in any kind of relationship with someone like him; it could end badly for both of them.

But what hurt the most was his casual dismissal of what could have been. To him, it was just an act, a means to an end.

Once again, she felt like nothing more than a pawn in someone else’s game, a tool to be used to achieve their desires.

By the time she reached the highway, her emotions were running high. She flagged down a cab, her movements quick and determined, and climbed into the back seat, giving the driver the address of the hospital.

As the car sped toward the hospital, Julia’s mind was consumed with thoughts of Caspian and everything he had said.

The memory of his words replayed in her mind, but even more vivid was the memory of his kiss. Her hand unconsciously reached for her lips, her eyes fluttering shut as she tried to steady her racing heart.

The warmth of his lips against hers lingered, refusing to fade, and she found herself struggling to push the memory aside.

Just as she was sinking deeper into her thoughts, the car jerked to a sudden stop, pulling her back to reality. The driver turned to meet her gaze, his voice breaking through the fog in her mind.

"We’re here, Ma’am," he informed her, his tone polite but firm.

"Oh, right. Thank you," Julia replied, snapping her eyes open. She forced a laugh, trying to shake off the embarrassment she felt.

How long had she been lost in her thoughts? She quickly paid the driver and climbed out of the car, her cheeks burning with the knowledge that he had witnessed her moment of distraction.

As she stood outside the hospital, Julia took a deep breath, preparing herself to face the reality waiting for her inside. But before she could take a step, she realised her dress was still damp from earlier. She glanced down at herself, noticing the wet spots that clung to the fabric. A wave of frustration washed over her.