Chapter 77 If You Really Can't Let Go, Just Admit Your Mistake
Janet looked at him nervously, immediately regretting her question.
Her face tightened, and before Alaric could respond, she let go of his hand.
Alaric's expression was cold as he walked past her, his demeanor icy and indifferent.
Janet stood frozen, her expression a mix of disappointment and panic. She wanted to chase after Alaric but didn't dare to.
Her eyes reddened, tears threatening to fall.
Bruce glanced at her before following Alaric out.
Sebastian and Jack walked past Janet as if nothing had happened.
Julian remained seated, pulling a cigarette from a pack and lighting it.
He bit the cigarette and slowly stood up, pulling a hundred-dollar bill from his wallet as he passed Janet.
"Take a cab home."
Janet stared at the money in her hand, momentarily stunned, forcing her tears back.
"Julian, what the hell is this?"
Julian gave her a casual glance, "Aren't you out of cash?"
Janet bit her lip, a wave of humiliation washing over her.
She took a deep breath, noting Julian's usual nonchalance, and thought perhaps she was overthinking it.
She pushed the money back into Julian's hand.
"I have enough for a cab. I'm not that broke."
Julian raised an eyebrow, glancing at the bill, then added nonchalantly, "By the way, the five million dollars I lent you, you still owe me an IOU. Make sure to give me one by tomorrow."
Janet's expression changed slightly.
"Are you afraid I'm going to stiff you?"
Julian shook his head, "No, I'm just afraid I'll forget if too much time passes."
Janet fell silent.
In the short term, she couldn't repay Julian.
She hadn't expected him to ask for an IOU.
Didn't Julian like her?
Why was he doing this?
Julian walked past her, his expression calm, as if everything was as it always had been.
But Janet could clearly feel that he had changed.
Not just him, even Alaric's attitude towards her had changed.
She took a deep breath, trying to hold back her pain, but tears still fell uncontrollably.
Her emotions collapsed, and she squatted down, unable to stop crying.
Bruce followed Alaric, getting into the passenger seat of his car.
"Do you really hate her now?"
Alaric shot him a cold glance, "If you don't want to ride, get out."
Bruce chuckled, fastening his seatbelt.
"A while ago, you seemed to like her. Now you're so cold. Truly heartless."
Alaric gave him a warning look.
Bruce, seeing this, quickly made a zipping motion over his lips.
Only then did Alaric look away and start the car.
After driving for a while, Bruce couldn't help but speak again, "If you still care, you should apologize while you have the chance. If she goes to Astoria, you'll really have no chance."
Alaric's face turned cold, and he pulled over.
"Get out."
Bruce laughed, shaking his head, "No way, I was just saying."
Alaric grew colder, unbuckling Bruce's seatbelt and kicking him out of the car.
Julian's car was right behind them, and Bruce, after being kicked out, managed to hitch a ride with Julian.
He expected Janet to be in Julian's car, but she was nowhere to be seen.
He glanced at Julian, who looked relaxed, and muttered, "Is everyone so heartless?"
Julian raised an eyebrow and replied slowly, "When did I ever say I had feelings for her?"
Bruce fell silent.
The Stone Manor.
Cordelia had gone to bed early the previous night and woke up early the next morning.
As she made her way downstairs, Donald was exercising in the yard.
Allegra came out of the kitchen and, seeing Cordelia, hurried over to help her. "Cordelia, why not sleep a bit more? Breakfast is almost ready."
Allegra helped Cordelia to a wheelchair, kneeling to check her ankle.
Since she hadn't used any medication, her ankle was still swollen.
"Why hasn't it improved at all?" Allegra looked anxious, while Cordelia glanced at her ankle and smiled lightly.
"Even with medication, it wouldn't heal quickly, let alone without it. It might take about a week for the swelling to go down."
Allegra sighed.
Cordelia smiled faintly. "I'll go get some fresh air in the yard."
Hearing this, Allegra moved to push the wheelchair, and Cordelia didn't stop her, letting Allegra push her into the yard.
Seeing Cordelia, Donald paused his exercise and walked over, but before he could reach her, the security staff brought Dominic in.
"Mr. Stone, Ms. Stone, Mr. Gray is here."
Seeing Cordelia in a wheelchair, Dominic's face fell, a flash of concern in his eyes as he walked over.
"Mr. Stone, Cordelia."
Donald nodded, inviting Dominic inside. "Come in and sit."
"Alright," Dominic agreed, reaching to push Cordelia's wheelchair.
Once inside, Dominic took out some medication.
"I heard Cordelia sprained her ankle, so I got this medicine from a doctor friend. It's very effective for sprains."
As he spoke, he bent down to check Cordelia's ankle.
Cordelia felt a bit uncomfortable.
Seeing this, Allegra quickly stepped in, politely taking the medicine from Dominic.
"Thank you, Mr. Gray. Cordelia just used the hospital's medicine. We'll use yours tonight to avoid any interactions. We appreciate your kindness."
Dominic nodded, seeing nothing wrong with this.
Cordelia sighed in relief.
Donald, looking as usual, invited Dominic to sit. "Dominic, have a seat."
Dominic nodded slightly, sitting next to Cordelia.
Donald sighed, his tone regretful. "If Cordelia hadn't gotten hurt, we would be in Astoria by now. I heard your sister is getting married the day after tomorrow. Unfortunately, we can't make it."
Cordelia, unaware of Dominic's sister's wedding, looked surprised. "Arabella's getting married?"
Dominic nodded. "I was planning to tell you on the plane, so we could attend together, but things changed. Her wedding is at the Emerald Castle Hotel in Astoria. I'm flying back tonight, and Evelyn is coming with me."
Evelyn and Arabella Gray had been friends for years, so of course, Evelyn would attend the wedding.
Hearing about the Emerald Castle Hotel, Cordelia felt a pang of sadness.
Three years ago, when she and Alaric got their marriage license, she had wanted to have their wedding there. She had even checked the hotel's availability and made detailed plans.
But Alaric had made it clear he didn't want to make their marriage public, so she gave up on the idea.
Every woman dreamed of walking down the aisle in a wedding dress to the man she loved. Remembering those feelings still pained Cordelia.