He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 549

Yardley snapped his head around just in time to see Julian stepping smoothly out of his Cullinan. He was paralyzed for a solid five seconds.

"You again. Julian Croft."

"Why are you constantly buzzing around my wife like a damn fly?"

Yardley's face was a mask of pure, lethal fury, his words practically dripping with venom.

Before Julian even had a chance to respond, Scarlett fired back with icy precision.

"From where I'm standing, you're the only pest here."

"Scarlett!" Yardley barked. "What does he have that I don't?"

"Everything."

Scarlett's voice rang out, sharp and unyielding, hitting Yardley like a physical slap to the face.

The sheer lack of hesitation in her defense made a slow, victorious smirk spread across Julian's lips.

In that split second, Yardley looked like a cornered animal ready to tear out someone's throat.

Watching Julian casually stroll past the security checkpoint and take his place right beside Scarlett—while he was treated like a diseased stray outside the gates—pushed Yardley entirely over the edge.

The last thread of his sanity snapped.

Ignoring the shouting security guards, Yardley vaulted over the turnstile like a madman, charging straight for Scarlett.

Instinctively, Scarlett took two rapid steps back.

Suddenly, she felt a strong, reassuring hand wrap around her waist.

Before Yardley's grasping hands could reach her, Julian fluidly pulled her back, tucking her firmly against his broad, solid chest.

Julian's voice, laced with freezing authority, rumbled from above her.

"Trespassing now, Yardley? Exactly what is your endgame here?"

Yardley's hands closed around empty air.

As for Yardley? She couldn't care less what mental gymnastics he was doing.

Scarlett and Julian hadn't even taken three steps before Yardley screamed at their backs.

"Fine! All three of us, then! If you're so desperate to be the 'other man,' Julian, be my guest!"

The two of them stopped.

Julian slowly turned around. His eyes were entirely unbothered, devoid of a single ripple of anger.

"The only thing I care about is my place in Scarlett's life. As for you? Call me whatever helps you sleep at night."

Julian turned and walked toward his SUV.

"I'm not risking my safety in whatever you drove here. If we're doing this, we take my car. Scarlett, front seat."

Julian didn't leave a single millimeter of room for negotiation. He opened the passenger door for her.

Scarlett didn't hesitate for a fraction of a second. She slid right into the front seat.