After the Cold Marriage His Crazy Love (Iris and Julian) novel Chapter 20

His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex–Wife

Chapter 20 What’s He Hiding?

Three hours round trip. Maybe more.

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What kind of determination did it take for Julian to do that every single day… for two years?

By the time Iris stepped into the lobby of Everhart Group, it was already past 3 p.m.

The place was massive. Clean, sleek, designed to impress. The kind of corporate grandeur that felt expensive just to breathe in.

She walked up to the front desk. “Hi, I’m Iris Whitlow. I’m here to see Julian.”

The receptionist smiled politely. “Do you have an appointment?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Whitlow. You’ll need an appointment to go up.”

Iris pulled out her phone. “If I call him directly and he says yes, does that count as an appointment?”

The woman gave her a customer–service smile. “Of course.”

Just as Iris was about to dial, she heard the sharp clack of high heels behind her, followed by a way–too–familiar voice.

“Iris? What are you doing here?”

She turned to see Lily strutting toward her in a bodycon dress and a full face of makeup. Her red lipstick matched the glare of the selfie light still sitting on the lounge table behind her, surrounded by makeup kits and livestream gear.

The sight of her alone was enough to sour Iris’s mood.

Lily looped her arm through Iris’s with fake affection. “Here to see Julian? No need to call. I just wrapped up a stream. I’ll take you up.”

Iris gently pulled her arm away, face calm but distant. She didn’t want any contact.

She didn’t argue, though. She followed Lily into the elevator, all the way up to the 20th floor.

“He’s inside,” Lily said, pointing at a sleek double–door entrance.

Iris looked at the sign on the door. Of course. Meeting room.

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Chapter 20 What’s He Hiding?

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She didn’t even bother calling her out. She already knew what Lily was trying to do–set her up to walk in on something, or at least look foolish.

“I’ll wait out here until he’s done.” Iris didn’t even glance at her.

Lily blinked innocently. “He’s in there. Just go in.”

Iris sat down in one of the chairs nearby, clearly uninterested in playing games. “I’ll wait.”

Lily quickly realized her little trap wasn’t going to work. Her expression didn’t change, but the fake sweetness thinned out fast. “So… what brings you here, anyway?”

Iris looked up. Her tone was flat. “He’s my husband. Do I need a reason to come see him?”

The word “husband” landed hard.

Lily’s smile froze. For a second, something ugly flickered in her eyes. But she quickly forced a polite laugh. “Right. Of course. Well, I’ll just… wander a bit.”

Iris didn’t respond. She sat quietly, fingers curled tight around the strap of her bag, eyes flicking occasionally toward the closed doors.

Then she heard footsteps, slow and heavy. And the quiet sound of the door opening. She stood up, heart suddenly thudding.

One by one, people filed out of the meeting room. Judging by their age, demeanor, and expensive–looking suits, they weren’t just employees. These were shareholders.

This wasn’t some internal check–in. This had been a serious, high–level meeting. Thank God she hadn’t let Lily talk her into barging in.

The group passed by her with composed, measured steps. Then Julian walked out.

He was still reading a document as he moved, quietly giving instructions to his assistant. He hadn’t noticed her.

“Julian,” Iris said softly.

He stopped.

His eyes lifted to meet hers, expression unreadable. He closed the folder and handed it to his assistant before walking over to her.

Iris rubbed her fingers along her bag strap, trying to calm the nerves creeping up her spine.

Julian reached into his pocket, checked his phone, then slipped it back in.

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Chapter 20 What’s He Hiding?

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“You’ve been waiting long?” His voice was low. There was something quiet in it, something that almost sounded like concern.

She shook her head. “Not really. Just got here.”

“Next time, call me first,” he said.

“Okay.” She wasn’t sure what he meant by that.

Was he trying to be considerate? Or was it a hint not to show up unannounced?

Julian turned to his assistant. “Print two copies of the contract from this morning and send them to my office.”

“Yes, sir,” the assistant said.

He looked back at Iris. “Let’s talk in

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