The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 439

Adrian followed his line of sight.

Jocelyn was completely oblivious, cheerfully chatting away with Penelope.

Adrian's chest tightened painfully.

"Your company must have magical properties, considering how much it's changed my ex-wife."

Julian's lips curved into a smile, but the warmth didn't reach his eyes.

"She hasn't changed. She simply returned to who she always was. I suppose you never took the time to realize that this is the real Jo."

Jo...

He said it with such casual intimacy.

"Are you this painfully attentive to all your employees?"

Julian replied calmly, "It depends. If I happen to stumble upon a priceless gem, I naturally treat it with the utmost care. You can't toss a rare diamond around like a common brick. Otherwise, when you inevitably lose it, the regret will eat you alive."

"Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Lowell?"

Adrian gritted his teeth so hard his jaw clicked.

"You make a fair point. You'd better keep a close eye on your precious gem, then. It'd be a shame if someone stole her away."

Julian said mildly, "She's free to leave whenever she wishes. The sky is the limit, and she can fly as high as she wants. I would never stand in her way. However..."

Adrian sneered, "However what?"

Julian finished, "However, she won't be leaving."

Adrian let out a dark chuckle.

"You're that confident?"

A flash of undeniable tenderness softened Julian's sharp features.

"Absolutely. Because I am the only one capable of helping her shine at her absolute brightest."

He paused, flashing a mocking smile.

"Could you ever do that, Mr. Lowell?"

Adrian heard the blatant insult but forced himself to swallow his explosive rage.

Everything that had happened to the Lowell family recently had forced him to learn how to leash his temper.

But he refused to back down.

"If you can do it, why couldn't I?"

Julian said mercilessly, "If you could, you wouldn't have thrown the gem away in the first place."

Adrian was instantly silenced.

The memory of how intimately Julian and Jocelyn interacted only fueled his suffocating frustration.

Overwhelmed by the chaotic emotions, Adrian didn't even bother saying goodbye. He turned on his heel and stormed out of the hospital.

Jocelyn secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Finally.

Penelope watched her face. "Does seeing him still make you uncomfortable?"

Jocelyn admitted honestly, "A little. But as long as he speaks respectfully and keeps his distance, I just treat him like a stranger or a casual acquaintance."

Penelope patted her hand affectionately.

"Let the past stay in the past. Holding onto hatred will only warp your soul."

Jocelyn smiled softly. "Don't worry, Penelope. I stopped hating him a long time ago."

Penelope hesitated for a moment.

"Jo..."

"Yeah?"

"You and Julian..."

Jocelyn glanced up at the IV bag dripping fluid.