Chapter 87

Julia was about to thank him when Hazel's sarcastic voice cut through the air, "William, can you stop being such a do-gooder? You'll end up getting mixed up with people who have hidden agendas, and then you won't be able to shake them off. Bad luck!"

Hazel's indifferent gaze turned sharp.

William turned back to Hazel with a warning look. "Didn't I tell you to keep it down? Dr. Kennedy is a benefactor to our family! Is this how you treat someone who saved our grandfather?"

"Benefactor? Sure, she treated Grandpa, but didn't the Carter Family pay for it? We provided a lot of rare herbs too. Without those, do you think she would have saved Grandpa?" Hazel's resentment towards Julia ran deep.

Julia had no idea where Hazel's hatred for her stemmed from.

Hazel scoffed and continued, "I never talk nonsense. You might not get it, but she sure does! Some women, you know, they disappear without a word and then come back to bother Henry, knowing full well he's engaged to Vivian now. How is that different from being a homewrecker?"

She added, "And she's a mother of two! What a joke! What, does she want Henry to be a dad to someone else's kids?"

Hazel's words were clearly aimed at Julia.

Her disdainful gaze was practically boring a hole into Julia, her dislike evident.

Even though Julia had saved her grandfather, it didn't stop Hazel from hating and despising her.

Julia's eyes darkened, "The Carter Family is wealthy and influential. Didn't you learn any manners growing up? Don't you know not to comment on things you don't fully understand? My past with Henry is just that, the past, but..."

She wanted to reveal that they had children together but held back.

Vivian didn't know that Joseph and Stephen were Henry's children. If she had found out, who knew how she might have hurt them.

"Can't we be friends? Just because we're divorced, do we have to be strangers?" Julia retorted with a cold sneer, "You really lack manners."

In her own home, Julia dared to call Hazel ill-mannered?

Hazel didn't back down. "Say that again?"

Julia wasn't one to be threatened, meeting her gaze calmly, "I could say it twice, so what? My business with Henry has nothing to do with you. The Carter Family's socialite loves meddling in others' affairs. How tacky."

Hazel was furious, pointing at Julia, breathing heavily, unable to say a word.

Julia was good at retorting.

Hazel criticized Julia's personal life, and Julia used the Carter Family's name against her.

True that. If Hazel said another word, it would really make her look tacky.

Seeing Hazel stunned into silence, with nothing but daggers in her eyes, Julia looked away. "To me, you're just a patient's family member. If I feel like it, I'll acknowledge you. If not, you don't even deserve for me to remember your name. Got it, Ms. Carter?"

Julia finished, then casually greeted William and turned to leave.

William stood there, not even having a chance to respond, watching her walk away step by step.

Hazel had never been treated like this before, gritting her teeth and sweeping all the fruit off the table!

It was so annoying!

She hated Julia!

William frowned, warning, "You're really out of line today!" He said, then turned to catch up with Julia.

He quickly ran after her, catching up in a few steps.

Julia heard him and turned to look. "What's up?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to apologize for Hazel. She's really spoiled by our family. Don't listen to her; don't take it to heart."

Julia saw William's anxious expression and smiled, "It's fine, I won't take it to heart."

"That's good." William wanted to ask if they could be friends.

But Julia seemed in a bad mood, impatient with him, "Anything else?"

William knew today wasn't the right time, politely replying, "Nothing, safe travels."

"Okay, see you next time." Julia forced a smile and got into her car.

William watched her car drive away, reluctantly heading back home.

Hazel's anger had mostly subsided, but she still looked displeased when she saw William return.

Thinking of how Hazel treated Julia, William's face darkened. "What are you doing every day? Dr. Kennedy saved our grandfather's life, she's a lifesaver. Why do you always want to argue with her? Do you know that's called being ungrateful, and people will despise you for it!"

"Benefactor? The Carter Family doesn't owe her anything, right? I already said that!" Hazel was still angry, not listening to a word.

Seeing William defend Julia made her even angrier. "Why are you defending her? I don't get it, are you fooled by her?"

William glared at her. "Dr. Kennedy and Henry's business is theirs. Don't offend her for Vivian's sake. Their issues have nothing to do with us!"

Hazel rarely saw William angry, huffed, and stopped talking, still feeling indignant.

Hazel thought Julia was really something.

She took Vivian's Henry.

And now she took William!

William rarely yelled at Hazel.

Hazel was almost furious!

Julia didn't take Hazel's words to heart, but they kept replaying in her mind.

It made her feel down all afternoon at the research institute.

No matter what she was doing, Hazel's words kept popping up.

Julia decided to take a break, to calm herself down.

She had just lain down on the couch for a nap.

Someone knocked on her office door.

Julia yawned and got up to open the door.

Standing there was a prominent doctor from Alice Research Institute.

"Dr. Kennedy, thank goodness you're here! We have a problem and need your help!" the person said urgently.

Julia's mood was instantly disrupted, tense again. "What's the issue?"

"It's the formula. We've been researching all morning and can't find the cause."

Julia quickly followed the doctor to the lab.