From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 228

"She has to have the data we want."

Julian snarled into the phone. "I don't give a d*mn about the data until I know she's safe!"

Silas reminded him coolly, "Don't forget why we started this, Julian. Jade's only value is as a pawn to get us what we need."

Julian went silent. He admitted that, in the beginning, he'd seen her as a means to an end. But over time, her resilience and her quiet strength had gotten under his skin. The feelings he had for her were real, even if he didn't want to admit it.

"Hah," Silas let out a dry laugh, cutting through the silence. "Feelings don't change the facts. Even if you want her, you have to get her divorced first. Anything else is just a waste of time."

Beep. Julian hung up. He turned around to find his grandfather staring at him with a look of pure confusion.

"I heard you on the phone. 'Collaboration'? What collaboration involves Jade?"

Julian's expression flickered.

"It's nothing, Grandpa. You misheard."

"Don't lie to me, boy!"

The old man let out a sharp huff.

"I like that girl. I think of her as a granddaughter. If you're using her or hurting her, I'll have your head!"

Julian rubbed his temples.

"Grandpa, why would I ever hurt her? Don't worry. I'll find her."

He couldn't sit still anymore. He grabbed his keys and headed for the door.

He was going to find her himself.

But as he stepped outside, a fist came out of nowhere and caught him square in the jaw.

He staggered back, his collar grabbed by a furious Hudson Walter.

"Where is she? Where are you hiding my wife?"

Julian yanked his collar back and delivered a counter-punch to Hudson's gut.

"What are you, a stray dog? You just show up and start biting people?"

Hudson doubled over for a second before lunging again.

"She went missing while working for you! Who else would I come for?"

Julian caught Hudson's fist in mid-air and squeezed.

"Listen to me carefully—even if I told her you were here, she wouldn't want to see you."

Hudson's knuckles popped under the pressure, but it was the words that hurt more. His heart flared with a sudden, sharp ache, quickly replaced by white-hot jealousy at Julian's smug certainty. He broke free and delivered a kick to Julian's chest.

"Whether she wants to see me is between us! It's none of your business!"

"Like hell it isn't," Julian snapped back.

"You spend every waking hour forcing her into corners. You won't let her go. Why should I just stand by while you ruin her?"

"Hah."

Hudson let out a bitter, jagged laugh. He looked at Julian with eyes like knives.

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