He Lost Me to His Best Friend novel Chapter 983

The grating voice shattered the intimate atmosphere like a pane of glass.

Scarlett quickly wiped away the tears threatening to fall and turned around, her expression instantly freezing into ice.

Standing by the industrial elevator was Veronica Thorne, flanked by a small entourage. She was wearing a designer hard hat, her arms crossed over her chest, eyeing them with a look of supreme arrogance and a mocking sneer.

Instinctively, Julian reached for Scarlett's hand, lacing their fingers together. A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.

"It's exactly because I have seen the world—and met plenty of women—that I know someone like Scarlett is an absolute treasure," he said, his voice dangerously smooth. "She is leagues above a tacky, shallow imitation like you."

The word *tacky* wiped the smug superiority right off Veronica's face.

She sputtered, her face flushing an ugly shade of red. "You... you... Julian Croft, did you just call me tacky?!"

"That is the biggest joke I've ever heard! Do you have any idea how many men have thrown themselves at my feet since I was a teenager? How many people have begged to date me?!"

She gestured wildly to herself. "I am the heiress of Sutton City's wealthiest family! What could Scarlett possibly have that compares to me?!"

Julian merely raised a single eyebrow. "And yet, despite being this grand heiress, you still ended up marrying the man Scarlett threw away."

He smiled faintly. "Judging by the man you finally settled for, the quality of all those suitors chasing you must have been incredibly low. I suppose that's why Yardley seemed like such a prize to you. On that fact alone, Scarlett has already beaten you by miles."

Usually, Julian was the epitome of perfect manners. He rarely insulted anyone. But Scarlett was quickly realizing that when he wanted to be, his tongue was a lethal weapon.

With him shielding her so effortlessly, Scarlett felt an overwhelming sense of calm. She didn't have to resort to hysterical screaming or lower herself to a screaming match like she used to. All she had to do was stand gracefully by her husband's side and maintain a serene, untouchable smile.

"To me, my wife is the most worthy woman on this planet. She is entirely unique. A masterpiece. Those who constantly throw the word 'second-hand' around usually do so because it's all they've ever known."

Veronica's face went completely black with rage.

Julian's gaze casually drifted to the Birkin bag dangling from her forearm. "For instance, that bag you're holding. If I recall correctly, my mother sold that exact one to a luxury reseller just last month."

He smiled thinly. "Since you're parading it around so proudly, it seems you really do have a fondness for second-hand goods, Ms. Thorne."

The color drained from Veronica's face entirely, leaving her looking downright sick.

The bag in her hand was the wedding gift Yardley had given her after she had begged and pleaded for it.