The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 417

The memory of their entangled bodies in the back of the car surged into his mind.

Her soft lips, her intoxicating scent, those little gasps she hadn't been able to suppress...

Julian almost lost all self-control.

The sudden, sharp ring of a phone jolted them both apart.

Jocelyn hurriedly patted herself down for her phone.

It took her several seconds to realize it was Julian's phone ringing.

It was true that when people were deeply flustered, their minds went completely blank.

Why had her heart been racing so wildly just now?

The perfect shape of his lips... she had once left a mark there.

Even though the physical scratch was long gone, it remained forever branded in her memory.

The call was from Ethan.

"Boss, why does your voice sound so weird?"

Julian didn't dare let his mind wander back to what had just almost happened.

"Get to the point."

Ethan immediately adopted a serious tone.

"We traced the car that was tailing her, and we've secured the driver. But he's refusing to talk."

Julian: "Did you run a background check?"

Ethan: "We did. He's drowning in debt, his wife ran off with another man, and all he has left at home is his elderly mother and his daughter."

Julian: "Then drag him in front of his mother and daughter and ask him again."

The line went dead.

Ethan stood there, stunned for a good moment.

One of his men leaned in.

"Ethan, what did the boss say?"

Ethan scratched his head.

"Boss said to drag this piece of trash in front of his old mother and his kid, and interrogate him right in front of them."

The man pointed at the guy groaning on the ground.

"Looking like this? You want to drag him in front of them? That'll scare the life out of them! The boss usually has lines he won't cross with the elderly and kids. When did he turn so ruthless?"

Ethan smacked him upside the head.

"What do you mean 'ruthless'? It's called doing whatever it takes. If this dirtbag won't talk, we can't trace the mastermind, which means my goddess is still in danger."

It was clear that the boss had set his mind on tearing this entire operation out by its roots.

Jocelyn stared at him blankly.

Looking into those eyes that had suddenly turned so utterly lethal, she felt another rush of guilt.

"I'm sorry. I'm always dragging you down with me."

Julian's gaze immediately softened back into warmth.

"Who told you to be my... to be a part of Vanguard Tech."

Jocelyn gave an awkward laugh.

"I really did manage to find myself an incredible protector."

Julian: "You can rely on me as much as you want."

The words slipped out of Jocelyn's mouth before she could stop them.

"What if I get completely used to relying on you? Are you planning to protect me for the rest of my life?"

This time, he placed the warm milk on the table, using his long fingers to slide the glass right in front of her.

"Why not?"

Why not...

Jocelyn picked up the milk, sipping it slowly while those two words echoed relentlessly in her mind.

The phrase carried an intense weight.