The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 459

Jocelyn had never once let herself entertain the thought.

And even if she had, the answer was a definitive NO.

How could she ever have those kinds of feelings for Julian?

Jocelyn managed a stiff reply.

"I have never thought of him that way."

"And if I'm telling you to think about it right now?" Sean pushed.

Jocelyn's answer was immediate and firm.

"I won't."

"Is that the truth, or are you just lying to yourself?"

Jocelyn's brows pulled together.

"I know exactly what it feels like to have someone tear a marriage apart. I would never do that to someone else. I know he has a fiancée. I've always known."

"You know..." Sean's gaze turned chillingly cold. "Yet you've already crossed the boundaries of friendship."

Jocelyn's throat tightened painfully.

She parted her lips, but the words refused to come out.

Sean's voice was like a slow-turning blade, sliding mercilessly into her chest.

"If Julian were just a regular guy, even with a fiancée, I wouldn't give a damn. Whatever he wanted to do, I'd back him up. But he's not a regular guy."

"He belongs to a massive, cutthroat empire that you can't even begin to fathom. He's walked on the edge of a knife his entire life within that family. There are countless vultures watching his every move, waiting to tear him apart for a piece of the pie."

"His engagement to the Preston family isn't just some casual arrangement. It's an alliance of absolute power."

"Julian needs the Preston family's backing to suppress the rival factions and secure his throne within his own clan."

"Do you understand what I'm telling you?"

It was jarring to hear the notoriously silent man speak so much at once.

It caught her off guard.

Jocelyn let out a humorless laugh.

"I'd have to be a complete idiot not to understand."

"Good." Sean's tone softened just a fraction. "Honestly, I have a lot of respect for you."

She wasn't just another pretty face; she had serious nerve.

Earlier, when he was about to have Lena's hand severed, she hadn't panicked, screamed, or lost her mind like most women would. She had watched it with the calm detachment of a spectator.

She was a woman built for dangerous worlds.

She and Julian were a perfect match.

It was just a damn shame about the timing.

"Thank you. I have a lot of respect for you, too."

He had aimed that entire performance right at her.

It was his way of drawing a bloody line in the sand—showing her exactly what she was allowed to do, and what she was forbidden from doing.

It was nice, honestly.

Instead of being angry, Jocelyn genuinely felt happy for Julian.

He had such incredible brothers by his side.

Men who would bleed for him, fight for him, and protect him at all costs.

By the time Julian reached them, Jocelyn had expertly locked away every trace of her inner turmoil.

Julian proactively explained the interruption.

"I just got a call from Sarah."

"Sarah?"

"Yeah. She said she wants to take tomorrow off."

Jocelyn sighed softly.

"It's probably because of everything that happened tonight. She needs to clear her head. I'll go check on her tomorrow after work."

"Take Kyle with you," Julian instructed firmly.

Jocelyn instinctively glanced at Sean.