The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 448

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Jocelyn and Julian dropped Penelope off at home.

By the time they arrived, it was already past eight in the evening.

Jocelyn rolled up her sleeves, planning to cook something for Penelope.

But Julian wouldn't hear of it.

He tied on an apron and marched straight into the kitchen himself.

Left with no other choice, Jocelyn sat in the living room chatting with Penelope.

Before long, the mouth-watering aroma of food drifted out from the kitchen.

Jocelyn was instantly distracted.

She leaned over the back of the sofa, peering into the kitchen.

She couldn't tell if she was more captivated by the food or the man cooking it.

She honestly couldn't comprehend how a man this flawless could exist.

He was emotionally mature and remarkably stable.

He had a lean waist, subtle muscles, and perfectly sculpted proportions.

His face was practically flawless, carved by the gods themselves.

He commanded unimaginable wealth, yet he was never arrogant. He treated everyone with grounded, gentle courtesy.

Following Jocelyn's gaze, Penelope smiled knowingly.

"Do you ever think Julian is just an incredibly perfect man?"

"Yeah," Jocelyn hummed without thinking.

"If Julian had walked into your life before Adrian did, do you think there's a chance you would have fallen in love with him instead?"

Jocelyn's brain was completely checked out, and she replied automatically.

"Probably."

"So, you like Julian?"

Huh?

Jocelyn finally snapped out of her daze.

"Penelope! What are you talking about!"

Thank God Julian hadn't heard that.

Penelope laughed, trying to ease Jocelyn's flustered embarrassment.

"I mean, with a man like Julian, it'd be hard for any girl not to have her heart flutter. So it's completely normal to like him."

Jocelyn quickly looked away and sat up perfectly straight.

"I... I just admire him."

And idolized him, of course.

Jocelyn had always been drawn to strength and competence.

Julian was brilliant, stronger, and far more capable than her, so she naturally looked up to him.

But as for romantic feelings?

[No need. Just throw them out.]

Adrian: [There's a small locked box in the bookcase. Is that yours?]

Jocelyn's heart skipped a beat as the memory flooded back.

She had always felt like she forgot something important when she packed up and left the Lowell house.

It was that locked box.

The contents inside had zero monetary value, but meant the world to her.

It was Jocelyn's Memory Box—filled with every academic award, competition certificate, and trophy she had ever won from elementary school all the way through college.

She had kept them all hidden.

She never even showed them to Marcus.

Because Jocelyn never wanted Diana to see how brilliant she was.

It stemmed from Diana's deep-seated resentment of Jocelyn's success.

This sickening, toxic jealousy had taught Jocelyn from a very young age that happiness wasn't something she could safely share.

Of course she needed to get the box back.

But she had zero desire to step foot in that house again.

[If it's not too much trouble, let's pick a time and you can bring it out to me.]

Adrian: [Sure. I'm available whenever.]

He was being far too agreeable. It was incredibly out of character.