Her Revenge Was His Regret (Shirley and Gilbert) novel Chapter 381

They watched him step forward... and then watched him get thrown straight back down.

All they could see was a man standing there.

He wore a mask, but his frame was tall and lean, with impossibly long legs.

They caught a glimpse of a perfect jawline, and a mouth curved in a mocking, sinful smile—the very definition of a dangerous, charming bad boy.

He swirled his wine glass elegantly and walked away.

To this day, Julia couldn't forget the man in the bathrobe, his chest exposed, or that heart-stopping smile.

Seeing just his lips and chin now had her obsessed for life.

Even her late husband, the man she'd once loved, wasn't worth a single finger of that stranger.

But he was too mysterious, and way too strong.

She could never find him, not even for a chance encounter.

Then her husband died.

And she got one clue—the dangerous, irresistible man she'd been dreaming of was from her home country.

That was all. No name, no location.

So she set her sights on the most powerful men in King City.

Seaseat City was her hometown—if he'd been there, she would have claimed him already.

It had to be someone from King City.

That's how Lucas caught her eye. In her mind, the man behind the mask must have a face this stunning.

A face that could pull off that wicked, almost bloodthirsty smile.

It should be him. But he was too young. But those eyes? Not ordinary at all.

When they finally met, she was disappointed.

His face was ice, terrifyingly distant.

She craved a bad boy—someone dangerous, thrilling, someone who could drive her wild.

So when she got back, she didn't pick Lucas right away.

But now? She was stung into defiance.

The harder he was to get, the more she wanted him.

Foolish women didn't know what was truly good.

She wouldn't just take Lucas. Once she had him, she'd use his power to find that masked man.

Then she'd throw Lucas away.

Anyone who treated secondhand goods like treasure was limited.

He was all-powerful. What if he rejected her because of this?

She'd tear these reporters apart.

She rushed to explain, "Don't talk nonsense! Mr. Bode and I are just childhood friends. Nothing more."

No one else would have thought twice about calling Gilbert "Mr. Bode"—but Julia had never used the formal title before. It made their relationship feel distant.

Gilbert felt a stab of discomfort. If it were Sherry, he would've snapped back right away. He told himself Julia had her reasons.

Julia wanted to clarify. She couldn't let rumors ruin her chance with the man of her dreams.

She already had her true love.

So the "first love" rumors between her and Gilbert had to die.

She and the man she loved would be each other's only.

Only she and her mystery man deserved that word.

She and Gilbert would just be childhood friends.

She was sure everyone would believe her. She was good with words. People always believed her.

One look at their faces said it all—they were buying it.

These so-called sharp reporters were left speechless.