Chapter 9
Chapter 9
I hadn’t sent my car for repairs yet after the accident.
Though still drivable, the paint was badly scratched.
I chose a nice day to take it to the dealership.
Outside our house, the Storm family’s servants were loading withered lilies of the valley onto a truck.
The truck blocked my path, so I waited patiently.
In just a few days, they’d become dry and lifeless, no longer delicate and vibrant.
I found it somewhat sad and stared wistfully.
“If something’s broken, throw it away. Nothing to regret,” came a voice from behind me.
I turned to see Julian Storm. Today he wore a gray overcoat with a cream cashmere sweater underneath.
The casual outfit differed markedly from his usual formal attire. Even his hair fell loosely across his forehead, making him look nothing like the thirty–year–old businessman he was.
I reverted to formal politeness: “Hello, Uncle Julian.”
His gaze lingered on me briefly before asking: “Where are you headed?”
“The dealership. Getting my car fixed.”
He considered this for a moment, then opened my passenger door and got in.
“I’ll come along. Drop me off.”
???
I hadn’t even mentioned which dealership.
But remembering his extraordinarily generous “pocket money,” I suppressed my questions.
He’d made me his chauffeur, but the payment was more than adequate.
“Where should I take you, Uncle Julian?”
Julian’s deep voice replied: “Car shopping.”
He answered casually, as if improvising the errand.
I didn’t press further, gripping the steering wheel tightly, afraid of repeating the previous accident. After all, this
time my passenger wasn’t Maddox–Julian was the Storm family’s future heir, not someone I could casually injure.
10:30
Secretly Dating My Brother’s BFF… Until His Hotter Rival Stole the Spotlight
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Chapter 9
If I harmed him accidentally, my entire family would have to apologize.
Arriving safely at the dealership, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Julian followed me, giving the impression we were together.
The manager spotted him and hurried over: “Mr. Storm, good to see you. Your niece Miss Storm has already arrived. She’s inside.”
So Julian really did have legitimate business here.
Following the manager’s directions, I saw Jade test–driving a car.
Beside her stood Raine. He was smiling, reaching through the lowered window to help her fasten her seatbelt.
…For a test drive? Was that really necessary?
I couldn’t watch anymore. I handed my keys to the manager and told Julian: “I’ll let you go inside, Uncle Julian. I should be heading off.”
But Julian shifted, blocking my path.
“Come in with me.”
Before I could refuse, he strode inside, leaving me to follow.
I heard Jade saying: “Hmm… I don’t really like this interior.”
“We can customize it. Change the seats, headliner, wheels–whatever you prefer,” Raine patiently explained, more attentive than the actual salesperson.
“Oh! Uncle Julian, what are you doing here?”
Jade poked her head out of the car, greeting Julian before turning confused eyes to me.
“Lyra? Why are you here too?”
I smiled awkwardly: “Just ran into Uncle Julian. Thought I’d look around.”
I stood quite close to Julian–a slight turn of my head would bring me face–to–face with his shoulder.
I discreetly moved sideways to create more distance.
Raine’s gaze fell on me, his expression darkening. Perhaps he thought Julian and I were getting too close, and feared I might say something I shouldn’t.
“Uncle Julian, seriously!” Jade pouted. “You refused to come car shopping with me, saying it was a hassle, but now you show up anyway?”
Julian didn’t answer. He circled the car once before asking:
10:30
Secretly Dating My Brother’s BFF… Until His Hotter Rival Stole the Spotlight
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Chapter 9
“Made your choice?”
“Well, I’m still torn. Maybe you should just buy me all of them?” She batted her eyelashes at Julian.
Jade had a natural talent for manipulation. As a child, she’d used it to convince adults to fulfill her every whim and take other children’s candy. Clearly, she hadn’t lost her touch.
But Julian was immune: “Just one. Consider it your graduation gift. Ask your father for anything else.”
Her enthusiasm deflated, and she ultimately chose the one she’d been test–driving.
While Julian went to sign papers, she complained to Raine: “No wonder my uncle doesn’t have a girlfriend. He’s so rigid about everything.”
“You know?” she continued. “This gorgeous blonde from my university had a crush on him. She’s so forward–she literally snuck into his bed one night. You know what he did? Grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and threw her out! His face was red with anger. He blamed me for bringing random people home and sent me to campus housing the very next day.”
She shook her head, clearly disappointed in her uncle’s life choices.
But I couldn’t imagine Julian angry. In my mind, he probably had a thousand curses ready but was too well–mannered to voice them, leaving his face flushed with frustration.
The mental image made me snort with laughter.
Now Raine was looking at me even more strangely.
“What’s so amusing?” came a quiet voice from behind.
Chatlight
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.