Chapter 57: You Want to Borrow Money?

Cora’s cheeks flushed pink.

How could she possibly ask Julian for money?

“If it’s too much, or something you can’t decide on your own, then forget it…” she murmured, eyes dimming. “Pretend I never said anything.”

Austin immediately panicked. She had completely misunderstood.

“No, Mrs. Watson, that’s not what I meant!” he said quickly. “Mr. Watson brought cash today—one hundred thousand in the car. You said fifteen thousand? I’ll bring it right over.”

Cora blinked, stunned. “That’s… more than enough. Fifteen thousand will do.”

“Right away, Mrs. Watson.” Austin turned and hurried off.

Watching his back disappear down the hall, Cora sighed to herself. So this is what a rich man’s assistant is like…

But the moment Austin was out of sight, he called Julian to report everything.

When Julian hung up, the corner of his mouth curved.

Borrowing money? Interesting.

So she’d rather go to Austin than ask him directly?

Not far away, Laura stood watching Julian’s tall, elegant figure.

God, he was perfect.

Ever since he’d shown up to propose to Cora, she’d been hopelessly obsessed.

How could a man like that belong to Cora—just because she was pregnant?

I could get pregnant too.

Determined, Laura smoothed her hair and slowly walked toward him.

In her eyes, Julian wasn’t just handsome—he was power, wealth, prestige, everything she’d ever dreamed of.

But when Julian suddenly turned around, Laura froze mid-step.

“Julian…” she called softly, trying to sound shy, her eyes glinting. “What are you doing out here alone?”

His gaze swept over her face once—cold, detached—and then he turned away without a word.

That look—he’d seen it too many times before.

Laura bit her lip hard as he walked off. Ugh, who does he think he is? Just because he’s rich and good-looking… She stomped her foot, glaring at the bodyguard who blocked her path.

“Move! I’m talking to him!” she snapped.

The guard didn’t flinch.

Laura could only watch Julian’s broad back disappear from view before storming off, seething.

Back in her room, she fumed.

She was younger, prettier, far more charming than Cora—so why did Cora get him?

—

Cora waited and waited until finally Austin returned… with Julian behind him.

She froze.

Austin stepped aside silently, falling in line behind his boss.

Julian’s expression was unreadable.

“You’re short on money?” His voice was low, his eyes flicking briefly toward Cora’s mother inside the room. “You need to borrow it?”

“I—” Cora bit her lip, uneasy.

“I remember giving you a credit card,” Julian cut her off. “You can use it without limit. How many times have you used it?”

“Once,” she said timidly.

Julian’s eyes narrowed. “That’s strange. It’s a secondary card. I’d know if you ever used it.”

Cora’s shoulders drooped. “…Fine. I haven’t used it at all.”

She didn’t want to. She didn’t want to owe him anything—not when she planned to leave one day.

Julian’s tone softened slightly. “What do you need the money for?”

Cora looked down. “To pay off my parents’ debt to my uncle and aunt. I just… want them to be free from it once and for all.”

Julian nodded. “I see. Since it’s family business, how could a son-in-law not get involved?”

He turned to Austin. “Go invite the uncle and aunt over.”

“Yes, Mr. Watson.” Austin placed a small silver case on the table before stepping aside to make the call.

Cora’s eyes widened. “Julian, wait—my mom doesn’t know about us—”

“Shh.” His long fingers pressed gently to her lips. “Since you’re handling it, let’s handle it properly.”

Cora froze, staring up at him. His fingertips brushed the curve of her mouth, warm and steady—and for a heartbeat, neither moved.

Julian’s mind flashed back to that night at the hospital. Three days… and I still remember how she tasted.

Cora, clueless about his thoughts, swatted his hand away. “Just… help me, okay? I don’t want my parents suffering under my uncle anymore.”

Before Julian could respond, her mother’s voice called from inside: “Cora, what are you two doing out there?”

Cora panicked and quickly grabbed Julian’s hand, shaking it slightly—her eyes pleading. Don’t let her know… don’t let her find out about our contract marriage.

Julian felt her small, trembling fingers in his palm. His gaze softened.

Her mother stepped outside—and paused.

The sight before her made her heart melt: Julian looking down at her daughter with unmistakable tenderness.

So it was true.

Cora hadn’t lied.

Her husband really did love her.

“Mom,” Julian said smoothly, “Cora was just telling me about some old debts with her uncle and aunt. She should’ve mentioned it earlier. A son-in-law should help his wife’s family, right?”

Cora blinked at him, stunned by how naturally he played the part. He could win an Oscar.

Her mother flustered, waved her hands. “Jule, it’s really not necessary. We’ll pay it back slowly.”

She didn’t want the Watson family thinking Cora married into them for money.

Cora’s throat tightened. Her mother had endured a lifetime of humiliation and still worried her daughter might be looked down on.

Julian seemed to sense her turmoil. “Mom, please don’t say that. Cora’s my wife now. Her problems are mine too.”

Cora turned and threw her arms around her mother, tears stinging her eyes.

They held each other for a moment before a shrill voice echoed from outside—

“So, what did you call us here for?”

Cora and her mother quickly wiped their eyes.

“Oh, look at you two!” her aunt gushed, walking in as if the place were her own. “Cora comes home, and you’re already crying? Come on, let’s talk inside!”

Julian’s expression darkened slightly. He reached out and took Cora’s hand again, guiding her back toward the room.

It was time to settle some old debts—for good.

“Sit, sit, don’t be shy!” her aunt chirped, all smiles, gesturing at Julian as if she owned the house.

Julian’s eyes swept the cramped room. Nothing had changed since his last visit.

There wasn’t even a proper place to sit.

He didn’t move.

He just stood there—tall, calm, and quietly dangerous.