Great.
“Can’t be bothered with,” indeed.
Julian, you certainly draw a clear line between those you favor and those you don’t!
When it was time to leave, the assistant respectfully ushered her parents and Chloe into a car and drove them home.
When it was Riley’s turn, the assistant held out a hand to block her. “I’m sorry, Miss Riley, but there’s no more room in the car. You’ll have to find your own way back.”
Chloe murmured, “Sir, let Sister come in. She can squeeze in with me.”
“Miss Chloe, my master instructed that no one is to make you uncomfortable. If you’re squeezed, he’ll punish me when we get back.”
Chloe nodded regretfully. “Oh, alright then. Sister, I guess you’ll have to take the bus then~”
Riley stood rooted to the spot, watching their car drive away.
Besides the assistant personally driving her parents and Chloe, there was a line of black sedans following behind, at least twenty or thirty of them, all carrying the bodyguards who had just cleared the mall.
Every car had empty seats, but without Julian’s permission, no one dared to give her a ride.
Riley let out a bitter laugh. Oh well.
She’d be leaving soon anyway, so what was the point of dwelling on it?
She turned and started walking towards the bus stop.
But suddenly, several figures rushed out from behind her, clamping their hands over her mouth and nose.
“What are you doing–mmmph…”
**Chapter 4**
When Riley woke up, she didn’t know how much time had passed.
She had been taken to a desolate forest, where the roars of wild animals echoed around her.
Several men stood before her. The scarred leader raised a hand and slapped her across the face, asking fiercely, “You’re Julian’s wife, aren’t
you?”
Riley looked up, frowning. “Who are you?”
“Let me tell you, that Julian kid owes us a huge sum of money, and you’re going to pay it back for him!”
Riley chuckled.
Massive debts.
So this was where that was leading.
The scarred man slapped her again. “What are you laughing at?! Didn’t you hear me?! You’re his wife, you have to pay his debt! Otherwise, we’ll sell you to the lowest–class brothel, where you’ll wish for death but never find it!”
What was she laughing at?
Julian, oh Julian, to force me to leave, you’re actually making the act this realistic?
9:21 AM
<
I know you couldn’t wait.
You used me to take wedding photos, and you registered the marriage with Chloe’s ID. My usefulness has run out.
You’re desperate to kick me out so you can rightfully be with Chloe!
If that’s the case, I’ll grant your wish.
She chuckled softly and asked, “Are you also going to say that if I leave Julian and have no more ties to him, I won’t have to pay his debt?”
The scarred man was stunned by the question, but still said, “Exactly! As long as you have nothing to do with him, we naturally won’t come looking for you for the debt.”
“Good,” Riley said coldly. “Go back and tell him that from today, from this very moment, I, Riley Miller, have absolutely nothing to do with him! May God strike me down if I go back on my word!”
When Riley returned home, it was already midnight.
Julian still had a sour expression. “Didn’t you ask me to go pick out a gift with you? I went to the restroom for a minute, and you were gone. Where did you go?”
Riley looked at him talking to himself and just wanted to laugh. “You know exactly where I was, don’t you?”
Julian still insisted, “I can’t read your mind, how would I possibly know?”
There were no buses at midnight.
She had walked all the way back from the forest.
Her feet were blistered from the walk.
Julian frowned. “How did you get into this state?”
Riley said, “None of your business. Go about your own.”
“I’m your husband. If you’re hurt, I should at least ask.”
Riley looked up. “Are you my husband?”
You’re not my husband. You’re Chloe’s.
She took a deep breath, shaking her head with a faint smile. “Julian, someone kidnapped me today and said you owe a lot of money, and I have to pay it back for you.”
Julian admitted it quickly. “I do owe a lot of money. I don’t want to drag you down, so… perhaps we should separate.”
“Alright,” Riley readily agreed. “I told the kidnappers I’d cut ties with you. I hope they won’t come looking for me anymore.”
Julian said, “Don’t worry, they won’t.”
But no sooner had he spoken than the front door was kicked open from outside.
Over a dozen men in black stormed in, quickly pinning Riley to the ground. “Don’t move! This is a robbery!”
A robber pressed a gun against the back of Riley’s head and shouted fiercely at Julian, “You! Find all the bank cards in the house and tell me the passwords, or I’ll blow your wife’s brains out!”
Julian’s expression turned cold. “Alright, I’ll get them.”
9:21 AM J
*
But the next second, his phone rang.
The moment he saw the caller ID, he almost erupted with joy. “Chloe! You finally called me on your own!”
On the other end of the line, Chloe still maintained a haughty tone. “…The library suddenly had a power outage, and I’m scared of the dark. Can you come pick me up?”
