The Disguised Billionaire She Rejected novel Chapter 188

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Chapter 188.

The following day, Julia officially took over the Alfred Group. Although she held the title of CEO, everyone inside the company understood the truth. From that day onward, the company belonged to her. The Alfred family had no choice but to hand over complete control, while receiving only the agreed percentage of the profits.

The change was almost immediate. Projects that had been abandoned for months suddenly resumed. Several business partners who had previously cut ties with the company unexpectedly returned. Even more surprising, investors who had shown no interest before now began competing to invest in the company. The Alfred family watched everything unfold with disbelief, wondering how Julia had managed to turn the situation around overnight.

Even Julia herself found it strange. She had expected resistance, negotiations, and months of rebuilding before the company could regain its footing. Instead, doors that should have remained shut were opening one after another. It almost felt as though someone powerful was quietly clearing every obstacle in front of her.

That evening, after finishing the day’s work, Julia walked out of the company alongside Marcus. The two casually discussed several projects while heading toward the parking lot. Just as they reached car waiting outside, Marcus suddenly narrowed his eyes.

He felt someone behind them.

Without saying a word, he instantly turned around. At that exact moment, he saw a man stretching out his hand toward Julia, as though trying to grab her shoulder. Marcus reacted almost instinctively. He shot forward, seized the man’s wrist, and immediately attempted to twist it.

However, the stranger’s reaction surprised him. Instead of crying out, the man smoothly rotated his arm, slipped out of Marcus’s grip, and stepped backward in one fluid motion. Marcus’ eyes narrowed even further. He hadn’t expected someone to escape that hold so effortlessly.

Neither of them said a word. They simply stared at each other while quietly adjusting their stances. Marcus slowly clenched his fists, while the stranger smiled faintly, as though he found the entire situation amusing. Anyone watching could tell that a fight was about to break out.

“Stop!”

Julia’s voice rang out before either of them could make another move. Both men immediately froze. Marcus slowly lowered his fists, while the stranger also relaxed his posture. Julia stepped between them before carefully looking at the man’s face.

Her brows slowly knitted together.

Then, suddenly, her eyes widened.

“Cory?”

The man smiled warmly and nodded his head. “Yes,” he replied. “It’s me.”

For a brief moment, Julia simply stared at him in disbelief. Then, without caring about anything else around her, she hurried forward and tightly hugged him. Cory laughed softly as he returned the embrace, clearly just as happy to see her again after so many years.

Marcus stood quietly beside them, observing everything. He had never seen Julia this emotional before.

Julia finally pulled away from the hug before lightly punching Cory on the shoulder.

“You idiot,” she complained with a smile. “Where have you been all these years? You disappeared without even calling me once.”

Cory rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.

“I know,” he admitted.

The truth was, Cory and Julia had been inseparable throughout their childhood. They grew up on the same street, attended the same elementary school, and later the same high school. Everyone around them believed they would remain lifelong friends.