Chloe examined Julian with a critical eye. He was undeniably more attractive than any of the young male celebrities she kept on her payroll. Still, the fact that her usually ice-cold best friend had fallen head over heels for him in just two days felt entirely wrong.
She suspected Julian had used underhanded tactics to deliberately manipulate his way into Victoria’s life.
There are countless people in this world who want to harm Victoria, Chloe thought, her brows furrowing tightly. I can’t let a hidden threat remain by her side.
Just then, Victoria’s phone vibrated. Glancing at the caller ID, her expression darkened slightly. She excused herself from the table and stepped out into the courtyard to take the call.
Once Victoria was out of earshot, Chloe turned her sharp gaze onto Julian. "What’s your real name?"
"Julian Vance," he replied casually, continuing to enjoy his dinner.
In the original story, Chloe was Victoria’s only real friend. Victoria was a sickly, solitary corporate titan who never actively sought social connections; it was Chloe who had persistently pestered her until a genuine friendship formed.
Julian figured it wouldn’t hurt to try getting along with her—or at least test where she stood.
"Julian, is it?" Chloe said, her face stern. "Spill it. What is your actual motive for approaching Victoria?"
Julian paused, his fork hovering mid-air. It was clear Chloe held a deep prejudice against him.
"I don’t have any hidden motive," Julian answered calmly. "I simply want to be with Victoria."
"No motive?" Chloe sneered. "You can’t fool me. Getting close to Victoria was no accident—you definitely pulled strings behind the scenes."
Julian raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Chloe, what if I told you she fell in love with me at first sight simply because of my face?"
Chloe stared at Julian’s features. He was, without question, the handsomest man she had ever encountered in high society. If she had met him first, she might have even offered to sponsor him herself.
However... "Victoria isn’t that shallow," Chloe snapped. "Julian, you must have used some dirty trick!"
Julian didn’t bother arguing further. "Believe whatever you like."
Gritting her teeth, Chloe glared at him. "Let me make one thing clear: as long as I’m around, don’t even dream of taking advantage of Victoria!"
Julian smirked inwardly. So she wants to break us up, does she? He wasn’t one to take threats lying down. If Chloe was going to make bold declarations, she shouldn’t blame him for playing a little dirty.
Moments later, Victoria finished her call and returned to her seat next to Julian.
Suddenly, with a sharp scrape of a chair, Julian stood up. He leaned over, resting one hand firmly on the back of Victoria’s chair while using his other hand to lightly tilt her chin upward.
"What is Julian trying to do?" Victoria raised a dark eyebrow, a subtle glimmer of intrigue in her eyes.
"Kiss you," Julian murmured.
He leaned down and captured her lips in a firm, lingering kiss.
Victoria’s eyes darkened instantly. Her hands reached up to wrap around his shoulders, eagerly returning the kiss with intense enthusiasm.
Chloe’s eyes widened in utter disbelief. He did that on purpose! Because she had called him out, he was deliberately flaunting his intimacy with Victoria right in front of her!
A minute later, Julian pulled back. Seeing the surrounding housekeepers and Butler Chen staring intently at them, a flash of embarrassment crossed his face. He cleared his throat lightly and sat back down.
Victoria touched her flushed lips with her slender fingers, her eyes sparkling with dark amusement. She leaned in and whispered close to his ear, "Julian, you can do that as many times as you like."
She loved it when he took the initiative.
Julian glanced over at Chloe, whose face had turned completely ashen with fury. Satisfied with the reaction, he decided to push the envelope just a bit further.
"Victoria," Julian said, putting on a slightly troubled expression. "Your friend just told me I’m very handsome and asked if I wanted to be with her instead. She’s trying to steal your man."
Chloe nearly choked on her breath. "!!!"
That is absolute slander! I never said anything of the sort!
Victoria’s gaze instantly snapped toward Chloe, dropping to a temperature so cold it could freeze blood.
Panicking, Chloe quickly gestured with her hands. "Victoria, I didn’t say any of that! Don’t let him fool you! He’s deliberately lying to drive a wedge between us!"
She turned to the head butler. "If you don’t believe me, ask Butler Chen! He was standing right there!"
Chloe glared at Julian. He really thinks he can ruin a years-long friendship with a single lie? She had a rock-solid witness. There was no way Victoria would take the word of a man she’d known for two days over her best friend’s.
Butler Chen stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Miss Sterling, just as Master Vance said... Miss Chloe did indeed express a desire to keep Master Vance as her personal boy-toy."
As Butler Chen delivered the lie, he avoided eye contact with Chloe entirely. Miss Sterling treasures Master Vance above all else, so I must prioritize Master Vance’s happiness. Miss Chloe, I’m deeply sorry, but I have no choice.
"You—you—you!" Chloe pointed a trembling finger at Butler Chen, then at herself. "I—I—"
Julian was far too cunning! He had actually won over the estate’s head butler!
Still, she refused to believe he had bribed every single servant in the room. Pointing at the nearby maids, Chloe demanded, "Tell her the truth! Did I say those things or not?!"
The maids kept their heads bowed, answering in unison, "We heard it clearly as well. Just as Master Vance stated, Miss Chloe expressed a desire to take care of him."
Chloe stood frozen in pure shock. These people are completely unhinged!
Victoria stared intently at her, her voice dangerously calm. "Do you have anything else to say in your defense?"
Chloe felt a wave of helplessness wash over her. Everyone in the room was siding with Julian—what chance did she stand?
Then, her eyes caught the red light of the dining room’s high-definition security camera.
"Victoria! The room has security cameras!" Chloe said excitedly. "Pull the footage right now, and you’ll see I’m telling the truth!"
Victoria didn’t even look up. "The security cameras are broken."
Chloe: "..."
The red indicator light is literally blinking! How is it broken?! She finally realized that Victoria wasn’t being fooled—she was actively playing along with Julian!
"Someone come here," Victoria commanded coldly. "Escort Miss Chloe out. From now on, she is not permitted to enter Rose Manor without my explicit permission."
"Yes, Miss Sterling."
Two security guards stepped forward, firmly holding Chloe by the arms.
"Victoria Sterling! You’re choosing a man over your best friend!" Chloe yelled indignantly as she was dragged backward. "We’ve known each other for years, and you’re throwing me out over a guy?!"
Without a flicker of emotion, Victoria repeated, "Take her away."
Within moments, Chloe’s protests faded as she was escorted off the estate grounds.
Once the room fell quiet, Victoria turned back to Julian, her red lips curling upward. "Is Julian happy now?"
Julian was slightly taken aback. "Victoria... you knew I was making it up?"
"Mhm." Victoria nodded smoothly. "Chloe doesn’t have the courage to compete with me for anything, let alone a man. If she had actually tried to take you from me, her punishment wouldn’t be as simple as being kicked out."
Julian asked curiously, "Then why did you throw her out anyway?"
Victoria leaned close, her dark eyes filled with absolute, undivided devotion. "If my Julian doesn’t like having her around, then there is no reason for her to stay."
She cupped his cheek gently. "Julian... you can do whatever you want, say whatever you wish, and punish whoever annoys you. The only thing you are forbidden from doing is leaving me for another woman."
She didn’t care about anyone else in the world—only her Julian. As long as he was pleased, she would gladly tear down the world for him.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Julian’s heart beat uncontrollably against his ribs.
Looking at the world’s most powerful, possessive heiress catering to his every petty whim, a strange thought crossed his mind—being thoroughly spoiled like this actually feels pretty amazing.