Chapter 167

Chapter 167
Sophia's POV:

Thirty minutes later, we walked into Menton.

"Julian, you know this place too?" I asked, looking around the elegant dining room. "The food here is amazing."

"Is that so?" Julian Garrison replied, his voice flat. "It’s my first time."

We sat down at a quiet table. Julian gestured to the menu. "You order."

"Okay. I know a few dishes that are really good."

I picked up the menu and quickly placed the order, handing it back to the waiter. Julian took off his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt, exposing his wrists.

My eyes fell on his watch. "Julian, what brand is that? I haven’t seen it before."

"It’s a niche brand," he said indifferently.

"It looks nice," I said. "Do they have a women’s version?"

"I don’t know," he said honestly. "I didn’t pay attention."

I was just making conversation, so I didn't push it. I changed the subject quickly. "My mom said the wedding dress and your suit are ready for a fitting. When are you free?"

Julian took a sip of his water. "This Saturday."

My face lit up. "Okay! I’ll come find you Saturday morning."

"No need," he said. "I’ll come to pick you up."

I stared at him. Julian was acting strange today. He was surprisingly good to me.

The meal passed pleasantly enough. When we finished, Julian drove me all the way home to the Morgan estate.

I got out of the car feeling like I was floating on air. Happiness had come so suddenly. I almost couldn't believe it.

I skipped into the house. My father, William Morgan, looked up from his newspaper. "What are you so happy about?"

I ran over and hugged his neck from behind. "Daddy, Julian took me to dinner and drove me home."

"Isn't that what he should do?" William grunted. "He is your fiancé. Honestly, Sienna, I’m not satisfied with him. If you hadn't insisted, I never would have agreed to this marriage."

"Daddy, Julian is wonderful," I argued. "Don't be prejudiced."

William huffed. "You are love-struck. He isn't that great. I could introduce you to boys much better than him."

"Daddy, you’re doing it again," I complained. "I don't want anyone else. Only Julian."

William sighed deeply. "I just hope your choice isn't a mistake."

I let go of him and skipped upstairs to my room. I needed to sleep early. I wanted my skin to look perfect for Saturday. I was going to stun Julian.



Saturday morning arrived.

I finished getting ready and walked downstairs. I stopped in my tracks. Julian was already sitting on the sofa, chatting with my father.

Julian looked up. His eyes met mine. He paused for two seconds, then stood up to say goodbye to my father.

I walked over shyly and took Julian's arm. "Julian, how long have you been here?"

He smirked slightly. "About ten minutes."

"I'm sorry I made you wait."

"It’s fine," he said smoothly. "Waiting for a beauty is my honor."

I looked at him in surprise. "Julian... do you think I'm a beauty?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Of course. Do you have no confidence in your looks?"

I covered my cheeks with my hands, looking at him with starry eyes. The beauty sleep had worked. "I know I'm pretty," I gushed. "But hearing you say it makes me so happy! I’m so excited!"

William groaned from the sofa. "Go! Just go! I'm getting goosebumps."

"Daddy!" I pouted.

Julian chuckled. "Let’s go."

I happily clung to his arm as we walked out. My car was still at Garrison Industries, so I climbed into his Maybach.



We were driving toward the bridal shop on Newbury Street when Julian's phone rang. He saw it was his father, Thomas Garrison, and put it on speaker.

"Julian," Thomas’s voice was heavy. "Your brother is dead."

I looked at Julian sharply.

Julian was silent for a moment. His expression didn't change. "Do you need me to come over?"

"No," Thomas said. "I’m just letting you know. Your stepmother is having a mental breakdown. Don't come over and stimulate her further."

Grace Garrison hated Julian. Her biological son was dead, leaving only her daughter Victoria, who wasn't capable of running the business. Garrison Industries would undoubtedly fall into Julian's hands now. She must hate him to death.

"Understood," Julian said.

Thomas hung up.

The car was quiet for a while. I whispered, "Are we still going to try on the wedding clothes?"

"Yes," he said immediately. "Why not? We have an appointment."

We arrived at the bridal salon. The staff led me away to change, and Julian went to put on his tuxedo.

Ten minutes later, I walked out, dragging the long train of my gown.

Julian looked up. He froze for a moment.

"Julian, is it pretty?" I asked. I had already looked in the mirror. I knew I looked gorgeous. But I needed to hear it from him.

He walked up to me and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Very beautiful."

I grinned widely.

"The size is perfect," he told the staff. "We'll take it like this. No need to change it."

"Okay."



We left the bridal shop and decided to get lunch.

"Julian, there's a bistro nearby with great steam pot chicken," I said.

"Really? I'll try it," Julian said. Then he stopped walking.

"Julian, come on," I urged. I followed his gaze and froze.

It was Maya Bennett and Adam Sterling. And there was a little girl with them—their daughter.

The little girl spotted us. "Hi, Uncle Julian!" she chirped politely.

Julian walked over and rubbed the little girl's head. "Amy, you got taller."

"Uncle Julian, you got handsomer, too! "

"Hah, aren't you a little sweet-talker? Trying to butter me up?"

Adam Sterling scoffed, looking annoyed.

Julian ignored Adam completely. He looked at Maya. "Long time no see."

Maya smiled politely. "It has been a long time. You guys are here for lunch too?"

"Yeah."

I walked over quickly and hooked my arm through Julian's, my eyes full of possessiveness. "Maya, you three are here for lunch?"

Maya saw my reaction clearly. She smiled. "Yes. Do you want to join us?"

"No!"

"No!"

Adam and I shouted at the same time.

Maya chuckled. "Okay, okay. Relax. You’re going to deafen me."

Julian looked at Maya with a half-smile. "I heard you gave a certain idiot some advice. Told her to stage a romance just to make me jealous."

Maya looked at me. I looked down at my fingernails, feeling guilty.

Adam snorted coldly. "Honey, I told you not to meddle. Now look at them, all cozy, and you end up looking like the villain."

Maya nodded. "Honey, you are right. No more meddling. I need to stay away from petty people."

I gritted my teeth.

Maya took Adam's arm. "Honey, let's go eat."

"Okay, honey."

Amy trotted after them.

I looked at Julian with resentment. He was still watching them.

Then, Julian took my hand. His smile was gentle. "Let's go."

My jaw practically hit the floor.

Julian reached out and nudged my chin up with a finger, clicking my mouth shut. He pulled me to a table and we sat down.

After ordering, he looked at me. I was still staring at my hand, dazed.

He smirked. "Stop staring. You're going to burn a hole in your hand."

I looked up. "Julian... why did you hold my hand just now?"

"Am I not allowed to?"

"No... it's just..." I hesitated. "Julian, didn't you like Maya? Why hold me?"

Julian drank some water and set the glass down. "Sophia, we are getting married, right?"

"Of course!"

"Then what is wrong with holding my own wife's hand?"

I froze. Wife. Julian called me his wife! My heart pounded. I knew I would be his wife, but hearing him say the word felt different.

Julian glanced at me. "Sophia, we’re going to be husband and wife. That implies more than just holding hands. We’ll share a bed. We’ll raise children."

My mouth fell open again. Share a bed? Have his babies?

Julian reached across the table and tapped my forehead lightly. "Don't tell me you haven't thought about it?"

My face turned nuclear red. Of course I had thought about it. But hearing him say it...

"Julian..." I stammered. "What's... what's gotten into you? Why are you being like this?"

He leaned back, studying me. "You don't like it?"

"I love it!" I blurted out instantly.