Chapter 261 Because She Is Queen
Chapter 261 Because She Is Queen
Marley flinched. Since the day she had blurted, right in front of Quinn, that Julius still carried another girl in his heart, she had not seen him again.
Part of her had even dared to hope her
words would split the couple apart.
Yet moments carlier Sidonie had confessed that her recent imprisonment was Quinn’s doing and that Julius had acted as her accomplice.
“Marley, Julius has become Quinn’s shield. Inside the Bridger family, you now stand alone,” Sidonie had warned, the words still ringing in Marley’s cars.
If Sidonie could see how precarious her position inside the household had become, Marley could hardly pretend ignorance.
“Mr. Wooley, do you know why Julius wants to see me?” Marley asked, keeping her voice as steady as she could manage.
“Ms. Bridger, everything will be clear once you see Mr. Whitethorn,” Fabian replied.
A bodyguard held the car door open, watching her with the patience of a hawk. Marley understood at once that refusal would only earn her a rough shove inside. Heart hammering, she climbed in.
The sedan glided through iron gates and stopped before Whitethorn Manor.
She stepped out, followed Fabian along hushed corridors, and finally entered a high–ceilinged study where Julius awaited her.
He sat in a rosewood chair, a midnight–blue suit cut in the old mandarin style tracing every elegant line of his frame. Those phoenix–shaped eyes looked icy at first glance, yet whenever they landed on Quinn, they smoldered with a heat Marley had never tasted.,
Jealousy sliced through Marley. The way Julius gazed at Quinn was nothing like the polite indifference he showed her, and she could not understand what Quinn possessed that she did not.
“Julius, did you summon me merely to punish me for my words last time?” Marley asked, lifting her chin. “All I did was speak the truth. Admit it–you care for Quinn only because she resembles that girl from your past.”
“A stand–in?” Julius gave a low, contemptuous laugh. “When I want someone, it must be that very person. A parade of look–alikes means nothing to me.”
“But you’ve never stopped searching for that little girl! If Quinn isn’t her replacement, how could you have fallen for her so quickly?”
“Quick?” Julius‘ brow knitted. To him, it had felt unbearably slow; had he recognised his feelings the instant he met Quinn, he would have freed her from that wretched marriage at once instead of letting time rot away.
“Marley, that girl saved my life. I searched for her only to repay a debt. I love Quinn for one reason- because she is Quinn.”
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Chapter 261 Because She Is Queen
Both women had once seemed dazzling, yet Julius could still distinguish gratitude from the kind of love he would sooner die than forfeit.
A bitter flush crawled up Marley’s checks. “What could Quinn possibly have that makes her worthy of your love?”
I brought you here to warn you: mouth another slander in front of “Her virtues are none of your concer Quinn and I will cut that spiteful tongue from your mouth,” Julius said.
The threat sent a shiver down Marley’s spine. “You… you’d maim me for her?”
“For her, there is very little I would not do. Would you like me to describe the rest?” His stare was as lifeless as a corpse’s.
As the meaning of Julius‘ warning settled in, Marley’s heart lurched. She understood then that he was not bluffing. For Quinn’s sake, this man would cut down anyone without a shred of mercy.
In that instant, she remembered something her uncle, Moldred had told her.
“Marley, leave Julius alone,” he had warned. “He blinded one of your eyes once. If you test him again and he truly decides to kill, you may lose much more than sight.”
Now the old fear snapped back. What if I reveal that Quinn’s brother was never saved because of Julius?
Cold sweat seeped through her clothes.
She had meant to trade that secret, to force Julius to shield her again, but now she imagined him cutting out her tongue the moment she spoke.
“So, have I made myself clear?” Julius asked, his tone almost casual.
“Y–Yes… I understand.” Marley’s voice trembled.
“It seems you still don’t.” Julius clicked his fingers, and the guard stepped forward, striking Marley across the mouth.
