Chapter 4

My shoulder was aching a little.

Julian’s fingers were practically digging into my flesh. He seemed genuinely angry.

Years of habit made me instinctively pat the back of his hand in an attempt to soothe him.

Seeing that he still hadn’t let go, I awkwardly wriggled free from his embrace.

I gave him a distant smile. “Thanks, Julian.”

His expression finally shifted, his brows furrowing slightly. “Harper, I only gave you three months off. Can’t you even talk properly anymore?”

Julian seemed stung by the detachment in my tone and actions.

I smiled faintly, then my gaze swept past him to the woman behind him, who was glaring at me with venomous eyes.

Isabella Zhao, the Zhao family’s heiress.

Recalling Mrs. Eleanor’s words, I sighed and gently pushed Julian. “Julian, the hotel is all set up. I have something else to do, so I’ll head out. You have fun.”

Julian kept feeling like I had changed since coming back from my three-month vacation.

No, actually, I had changed the moment I told him I was quitting.

Especially that push.

He suddenly felt like there was a thorn stuck in his throat, something he couldn’t swallow, making him uneasy no matter how he thought about it.

“What’s wrong with you? Why are you acting so strange today? Are you trying to annoy me the moment you get back from your vacation?”

I don’t know why, but usually I was so tolerant, endlessly patient with him. This time, however, I felt an inexplicable impatience, and I couldn’t control my tone. “How am I annoying you?”

Julian pursed his lips, staring at me with a dark, brooding expression.

Seeing his face, I sighed slightly. Subconsciously, I still couldn’t bring myself to lose my temper with him.

A smile returned to my face as I explained, “Julian, I just think it’s too noisy here.”

Julian glanced at the people in the booth, then back at me. “Too noisy?”

I nodded.

Without another word, he pulled my wrist and led me outside.