Chapter 197 Happy To Be Her Shield 

At the very least, it would mean Quinn needed him. 

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“W–what did you just say?” Marley stared at Julius in disbelief, as though she could not fathom such words coming from a man so famously proud and self–contained. 

All around them, the other onlookers wore equally astonished expressions. 

The remark sounded exactly like something a love–sick fool might blurt out. 

But Julius–a love–sick fool? With that face and all those rumors about him, no one on earth would ever peg him as a man blinded by romance! 

“I said that if Quinn wants to use me, I will accept it as sweet as honey!” Julius’s voice rang out, crisp and unmistakable, while his gaze rested on Quinn with undeniable tenderness. 

It was as if, to him, being used by Quinn was the best fortune imaginable. 

Marley ground her teeth; Julius’s words felt like a vicious slap landing hard across her face. 

The effect was all the worse because so many Bridger relatives were present! 

Until today, everyone in the family had assumed that Marley was destined to end up with Julius. Then, Julius had gone on a talk show and publicly acknowledged he was dating Quinn–now he was saying this as well. The message could not be clearer: the only woman in Julius’s heart was Quinn. 

And Marley–she was nothing at all. 

How could she possibly swallow that? 

“Julius, have you forgotten what happened to your parents? Do you honestly believe Quinn can handle the kind of love that comes from the Whitethorn family? If one day she betrays you, then you-” 

Julius’s expression changed in an instant; a murderous gleam flashed through his eyes. 

Just as he was about to strike, Quinn grabbed his hand, stepped forward, and fixed her gaze on Marley. 

“Whether I can handle his feelings is a matter between Julius and me; it’s not your place to judge. And as for what happened to his parents, that is even less your business, so keep your mouth shut. Marley, if you insist on spouting useless trash, I’ll hit you. Say it once, I’ll hit you once–feel free to test me!” 

“You-” Marley bit her lip. Remembering how Quinn had just thrashed her dad, she couldn’t help a flicker of fear. 

Julius stared at Quinn, momentarily dazed. Her fingers were gripping his hand with fierce determination, wordlessly telling him that no matter what happened, she would stand by him. 

Quinn turned back to Murren. “Great–Grandpa, I came today only to reclaim the house that belongs to the fifth branch. I’ll mail all the paperwork to the office afterward, and I hope Uncle Melvin won’t get in the way.” 

“If he dares interfere, he can get out of the Bridger family!” the old man declared. 

With Murren’s promise in place, Quinn felt reassured. “Then Julius and I will head back for now. Please take good care of yourself, Great–Grandpa. I’ll come visit again soon.” 

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“All right, but you must come see this old man more often,” Murren replied with a smile. 

Quinn agreed and, still holding Julius’s hand, started toward the exit. 

Julius suddenly spoke, his gaze icy as it locked onto Marley’s resentful face. “Since you just claimed that, with me as your backing, you can act recklessly, then from this moment on, Marley, you have nothing whatsoever to do with me or with the Whitethorn family.” 

In other words, he would be the backup for Quinn alone. 

Marley stared at Julius, utterly shocked. “Julius, what are you talking about? What do you mean I have nothing to do with you or the Whitethorn family?” 

Melvin panicked as well. If failing to secure the fifth–branch residence merely meant losing some relocation money, Julius severing ties with his daughter was practically a death sentence for him. 

“Exactly, Mr. Whitethorn, how can you say that? Back then, you nearly blinded Marley in one eye. All these years, she’s never once complained. Even though the treatments have done nothing, she’s always insisted she doesn’t blame you. And now you’re treating her like this? Don’t tell me Quinn’s been trash–talking Marley behind your back!” 

Melvin seized the chance to fling mud at Quinn. 

Julius’s eyes turned glacial as he looked at Melvin. In that instant, Melvin felt every hair on his body stand on end, as though a wild beast had zeroed in on him–one more word against Quinn and he would be finished. 

“I nearly blinded Marley years ago, and all this time I have compensated her and the Bridger family more than enough. In the past, I didn’t care; from now on, there will be no more.” 

With that, he glanced at Marley, his gaze void of the slightest warmth. “Everything you enjoy in the Bridger family exists only because the Whitethorn family granted it to you. You should never have dared use what the Whitethorns gave you to attack Quinn!”