Chapter 187
Andrew's POV
"What happened?"
"Sir, Miss Wilson took Miss Brown away. She called the police, and our men were detained."
I wasn't worried about those idiots. They knew to keep their mouths shut. What irritated me was Sophia sticking her nose where it didn't belong.
I paced back and forth, calculating. Sophia wouldn't bring Julie back to Wilson Manor. Julie would need somewhere safe to decompress after tonight's scare.
She'll go home eventually.
After finishing dinner, I came to Julie's apartment building. It was quiet at this hour, motion-sensor lights casting everything in stark white. Her apartment lights were still off. I tried unlocking Julie's phone again. Still locked.
I lit a cigarette, letting my mind work. Rationally, I knew Grace wasn't in Starport to interfere with tomorrow's signing. As long as the contract went through smoothly, Elizabeth wouldn't blame me for tonight's hiccup.
But emotionally? I couldn't shake the irritation gnawing at me.
I've done everything for Julie. Solved her work problems, handled her brother's troubles, cleared obstacles from her path. How does she repay me? By running to Grace the moment things get complicated.
When had my need to win become this consuming?
I was halfway through my second cigarette when the elevator dinged. Finally.
---
Julie stood calmly in front of me, maintaining deliberate distance. Her eyes were composed, but I could sense the tension beneath.
"Thought you ran away," I said with deliberate condescension. "What made you come back?"
"This is my home, Andrew." Her response was neither humble nor arrogant, her eyes holding a coldness mixed with something I couldn't fully read.
Conquest suddenly overwhelmed me. I grabbed her arm, pulling her against my chest. She didn't resist violently, just pressed her palm against my heart to maintain distance. This push-and-pull made me even more excited.
"You know how angry I am?"
"I trusted you and made private contact, ignoring Grace's warnings," her voice trembled with hurt, "only to be treated like this. I'm considering resigning and leaving the city."
She was obviously deliberately approaching to test me, yet now she acted like an innocent victim of betrayal. But I had to admit, she performed well - that wounded expression almost made one believe she truly considered me trustworthy.
I released her, watching her step back. It was too late for her to dismiss me now.
I walked directly past her into the interior, entering her bedroom without even changing shoes. "I'm staying here tonight."
"Andrew, you can't—"
"Making things difficult for you amuses me," I sat on her sofa, enjoying the confusion and unease on her face. Honestly, I only slept well at Julie's place. It was strange, but I didn't want to analyze it.
She said mockingly, "Do you have some special fetish? I suggest you rent this place and let me move to yours."
"Good idea," I responded, "though you probably couldn't get past security at my place."
She tilted her head, calculating. "If you're staying here, I'm charging you. At least a thousand dollars per night."
Without hesitation, I pulled out an unlimited card and tossed it on her coffee table. "One hundred thousand. Keep the change."
Julie picked up the card, examining it carefully as if checking authenticity. "Then you can stay here, but I'm booking myself a hotel room."
"No need," I said, settling deeper into her sofa. "You can stay."
Her eyes held contempt. "That would be the most unsafe approach."
I didn't want to argue with her anymore and cut straight to the point.
"What did you tell Grace?" I asked.
Julie's expression didn't change. "You won't get any information."
---
Julie's POV
My thoughts returned to two hours ago
I had to tell Grace what happened.
Sitting in Sophia's car, my body was still tense. If Sophia hadn't appeared in time, I didn't know how long Andrew would have kept me detained.
"Thank you," I said to Sophia, my voice still shaky. "I need to call Grace immediately."
Sophia nodded, focused on driving. "I felt something was wrong when I saw you and Andrew heading to the garage. Good thing I followed."
I dialed Grace's number, my heartbeat still not completely steady.
"Grace, it's Julie. Something happened."
"Are you hurt?" Her voice immediately became alert.
"No, I'm fine. But Andrew... he had me detained. Sophia rescued me, but Grace, they're planning something." I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. "I overheard him on the phone mentioning you, NaturaLuxe, and a cooperation Wilson Holdings is signing tomorrow morning. Laura Parker represents NaturaLuxe."
Silence on the other end for a few seconds. I could imagine Grace rapidly analyzing this information.
"Don't worry," she finally said, her voice surprisingly calm. "Alex and I will be back in Starport tomorrow afternoon. Can you find out the specific project details?"
"I'll figure out a way." I glanced at Sophia, who was listening intently to our conversation.
"Be careful, Julie. If Andrew already suspects you, don't take unnecessary risks."
After hanging up, Sophia spoke: "I found out through a friend that Andrew met with Richard and Laura tonight. This is definitely about Grace."
I nodded, my mind already calculating. To see the project data, I could only get it through Andrew. I knew his work habits - he always carried important project files with him.
The NaturaLuxe cooperation proposal must be on Andrew's phone right now.
---
Back to the present
Sitting in my own home looking at Andrew, I knew the opportunity was right in front of me. His phone was right there on the coffee table, within reach.