Chapter 44: How to say goodbye??

Julian quickly devoured his bowl of breakfast porridge and finished a steamed bun, wrapping up his meal in under five minutes.

Setting down his napkin, he looked across the table. "Victoria, I’m heading out to school now."

"Hold on," Victoria said, standing up gracefully. "You know when someone’s husband is heading out to work, what does he do, Julian?"

Julian had watched many movies and TV dramas, so taking a reference from them, there were three possibilities:

They should hug and kiss each other.

They say some cheesy lines.

They remind each other that they forgot an object or that something is missing.

Yeah, it’s definitely option three.

He stopped dramatically in the entryway, adjusted his coat collar, let out a slow, heavy sigh that signaled he was keeping a massive secret, and muttered, "Did you forget your file or something?"

Victoria: "..."

Seeing Victoria’s speechless face, Julian became baffled. Did I choose the wrong option?

Before he could think any further, Victoria grabbed him frantically and placed an intense kiss on his lips. With a terrifying expression, she said, "This is what my mom used to do before she went to her office!"

(You know, a frowning villainess is quite cute.)

After that, Julian paused at the doorway, turned back with a soft, knowing smile, pulled her into a lingering, romantic kiss, and reassured her that she was the only thing that made coming home worthwhile.

Before he could get into his car, he heard Victoria’s voice from behind again. "Hold on! I happen to have a corporate collaboration meeting this morning, and it’s right on the way to Capital University. I’ll give you a ride."

Behind her, Secretary Evelyn blinked in utter bewilderment.

On the way?! Secretary Evelyn screamed internally.

Capital University was situated miles to the south of Rose Manor, while the five-star hotel hosting Victoria’s high-stakes negotiation was located far to the north. They were in completely opposite directions!

President Sterling is truly capable of lying through her teeth without batting an eye, just to spend an extra twenty minutes with Master Vance. I must quickly take lessons from her and add them to my mental stash.

Julian frowned gently. "Victoria, won’t that interfere with your schedule? You really don’t need to go out of your way. I can take a driver or use one of the manor cars; it’s quite convenient."

Victoria’s dark eyes narrowed into dangerous, icy slits. "What’s wrong, Julian? Is there something—or someone—at that university you’re afraid I’ll see?"

Julian’s heart skipped a beat as he realized she was misinterpreting his concern. He quickly shook his head. "No, of course not. In that case, I’ll trouble my beautiful girlfriend to drive me to school."

Girlfriend...

The simple word caught Victoria completely off guard. The sharp, possessive edge in her demeanor melted instantly, her rosy lips curving upward into a soft, genuine smile. "Mmh. Next time, call me ’Wife,’ not ’girlfriend.’"

Julian: "..."

Moments later, a sleek, custom extended Rolls-Royce pulled out of the Rose Manor gates, gliding toward Capital University.

Driver Wang sat behind the wheel. She had mentally braced herself to endure an overwhelming display of PDA from the back seat, but to her surprise, the couple remained quiet and composed throughout the drive.

Driver Wang adjusted her hands on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, her shoulders tense beneath her crisp uniform jacket. Before setting off, she had mentally braced herself for the absolute worst: an agonizing, high-voltage display of public affection overflowing from the rear cabin. Being trapped in a moving luxury car while two very wealthy, very enamored people treated the back seat like their personal drama set was high on her list of occupational hazards. She had already rehearsed her best "unbothered professional" face in the rearview mirror three times before turning the key.

To her utter surprise, the low murmur of conversation behind the soundproof glass partition faded almost immediately. Glancing dartingly into the center mirror, she saw no dramatically intertwined fingers, no lingering theatrical gazes, and zero unnecessary antics. President Sterling sat upright, impeccably composed, reviewing a stack of digital briefs with the precise, icy focus that usually made boardrooms tremble. Beside her, the atmosphere was equally serene—quiet, grounded, and entirely civilized.

Driver Wang exhaled a long, subtle sigh of relief, letting her shoulders sink an inch lower into the driver’s seat. Thank goodness President Sterling is keeping her professional composure, she thought, relaxing her grip on the wheel as the big car melted into the main boulevard’s traffic. Navigating morning gridlock is hard enough; acting as a hostage third wheel to a billionaire’s romance is where I draw the line.

The extended Rolls-Royce smoothly glided onto the main driveway of Capital University, coming to a halt directly beneath the central academic complex.

A vehicle of that caliber immediately drew a crowd of curious students.

"Whoa, look at that custom extended Rolls-Royce! That’s easily a multi-million-dollar land yacht!"

"Whoever is inside must belong to the upper crust of society. I wonder if it’s some wealthy heir coming back for the new term."

Not far away, Rosy walked toward the academic building alongside her close friend, Natasha.

Natasha looked striking in a delicate violet blouse and a tailored white skirt that accentuated her slender legs. Her dark, straight hair fell neatly over her shoulders, and her fair, slender thighs were quite eye-catching. She wore light makeup and looked like a true goddess. Natasha certainly had the merit to be considered the most beautiful girl at Capital University.

Rosy nudged Natasha’s elbow, asking casually, "Natasha, has Julian tried contacting you lately?"

Natasha paused, shaking her head quietly. "No."

In the past, Julian would call her every two days without fail, sending endless messages trying to check on her or arrange a meeting. But ever since he hung up on her three weeks ago at the venue, he had gone completely silent.

An unexpected, uncomfortable hollowness had been growing in her chest over the past few weeks, as though something that once belonged to her was slipping away forever.

Rosy sneered softly. "Don’t overthink it, Natasha. He’s clearly playing hard to get just to trick you into giving him attention. Classic guilt tactic. Don’t fall for it."

"Mmh," Natasha nodded softly, trying to steady her thoughts. Julian went too far that day. Even if he kneels down and apologizes, I won’t forgive him easily.

"Look over there!" Rosy suddenly gasped, pointing toward the crowd. "Another super luxury car! That extended Rolls-Royce is worth a fortune!"

Hearing Rosy’s excited chatter, Natasha’s mind inexplicably flashed back to the mysterious, handsome man she had caught a glimpse of weeks ago—the one who had stepped into a luxury car at the venue. Her heart began to beat unnaturally fast.

Will I ever see him again? she wondered.

Inside the tinted, soundproof rear compartment of the Rolls-Royce, the air was thick with heavy, magnetic tension.

"Victoria... we’re at the building now. I should get off," Julian said, reaching for the door handle.

Victoria’s fair hand darted out, grabbing his wrist firmly. "Julian. Did you forget something?"

Julian checked his pockets and shook his head. "No, I have my wallet and phone."

Victoria offered a slow, enchanting smile, her dark eyes locking onto his. "I won’t see my sweet boy for five whole days. Shouldn’t you give your Wife a proper farewell kiss? Mmh?"

Julian paused, then nodded. "Alright."

He leaned in, intending to press a light, brief kiss to her lips before stepping out. But the moment his mouth touched hers, Victoria wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss and pulling him back against the soft leather seats.

The quiet cabin filled with the soft rhythm of their breathing.

Driver Wang, sitting behind the partitionless front console, swallowed hard and stared fixedly at the windshield. I should be under the car, not in it...

She had a slight tickle in her throat from a cold, but she covered her mouth frantically, holding back every cough. Interrupting President Sterling during a moment with Master Vance would be a career-ending mistake.

Outside, students were growing impatient, straining their necks to peek through the heavy privacy tint. "Why isn’t anyone coming out? What are they doing in there for so long?"

In the back seat, fifteen minutes passed in a blur of warm, breathless intimacy.

When Victoria finally pulled back, her lips were flushed and slick. Gazing at the crowd gathering near the car outside, a sudden surge of sharp, possessive jealousy flared within her chest.

Without warning, she leaned down and bit Julian sharply on the side of his neck.

"Hiss—!" Julian gasped at the sudden pain.

Pulling back slightly, Victoria inspected the bright red mark she had left on his skin, a deeply satisfied, wicked smile gracing her lips.

Moving her warm lips right against his ear, she whispered in a low, dangerous tone: "Remember your promise, Julian. Stay away from other girls. If you disobey..."

She paused, her hot breath sending a shiver down his spine.

"...the punishment will be three days and three nights locked to my bed."