Webfic
Open the Webfic App to read more wonderful content

Chapter 3

Julia and the others, frozen in place, quickly caught the man's attention. In the blink of an eye, he charged straight at Catherine. His frenzied behaviour made her face go pale. Her survival instinct kicked in, and she instinctively tried to back away. But when she caught sight of Julia in the corner of her eye, she suddenly changed her mind. Just as the man was about to reach her, Catherine grabbed Julia and shoved her straight ahead. Julia was caught completely off guard. She staggered from the push, lost her balance, and fell directly toward the man. She cried out in shock. "Jules!" Keith's eyes narrowed sharply. He was about to rush forward, but Catherine suddenly grabbed his sleeve. Her face was filled with panic and helplessness. "Mr. Carson, he's crazy! This is terrifying! Please take me away first. I'm begging you…" She kept crying, and Keith hesitated. He glanced at Julia, who was now being choked by the man. He seemed torn, caught in indecision. But Catherine didn't give him time to waver. She dragged him toward the exit, sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath. In the end, all Keith could do was leave Julia with one line. "Jules, I'll take her out first, and I'll come back for you right away!" Then, he shielded Catherine and quickly left the mall with her. Julia couldn't believe what she had just heard. She was the one being held hostage, yet he chose to protect Catherine, who wasn't even in danger. As the sharp blade swung toward her, her mind went completely blank. She couldn't even remember what she was supposed to do. Luckily, right as the knife was about to pierce her chest, a group of police officers stormed in and quickly subdued the man. Even when she was taken back to the police station to give her statement, her legs still felt weak, and the fear lingered. It wasn't until everything was over that Keith finally arrived. He pulled her into his arms, his voice full of guilt as he said, "Jules, thank goodness you're alright." The arms that once brought her comfort now left her cold. She gently pushed him away and turned to leave. Panic surged in Keith's chest as he hurried after her. "Jules—" In the days that followed, Julia ignored Keith completely. No matter how he tried to explain, it couldn't change the fact that he had left her when she was in danger. Then came their fifth wedding anniversary. Perhaps to make it up to her, Keith threw a lavish banquet. The guests included top-tier elites from Jorvain, and they were all amazed by his extravagance. When it came time for the gift, he even presented her with a castle worth over 100 million dollars. "I used to think the rumors about how Mr. Carson doted on his wife were exaggerated, but now I see they're true!" "Exactly! They've been married five years and still look like they're in the honeymoon phase. It makes me feel ashamed of my own relationship." "Mrs. Carson is really lucky to have a husband like Mr. Carson who loves her so much. I heard he confessed to her a hundred times before she finally agreed!" … The endless murmurs and praise around her didn't move Julia in the slightest. She only found it ridiculous. The nonstop flattery left her stifled, so she slipped away to get some air. The chilly breeze brushed her face and cleared her head a little. She didn't want to go back in, but to her surprise, Catherine came looking for her. Her voice carried a hint of certainty and smugness. "Julia, don't think Mr. Carson's doing all this because he truly loves you. As long as I'm around, he'll always choose me first." Julia just felt emotionally drained and had no energy to respond. Catherine misread her indifference and thought Julia didn't believe her. Her expression immediately twisted with resentment. "If you don't believe me, then let's test it right now!" Julia frowned and turned to walk away. But before she could take a step, a sharp pain struck the back of her head. In the next second, everything went black. When Julia regained consciousness, a dull ache still throbbed at the back of her head. She tried to move, only to realize her wrists were tied tightly with rope, which was digging painfully into her skin. She looked around and found herself on the top floor of an abandoned factory. Cold wind howled through the open space, and beneath her feet was a drop of several stories. Catherine was tied up right next to her, but there wasn't a trace of panic on her face. Instead, she wore a confident, victorious smile. "You're awake?" Catherine asked, tilting her head to look at Julia. Her tone was flippant. "Relax. I just want Mr. Carson to make a little choice." Julia stared at her coldly. "Are you out of your mind?" Catherine chuckled, a hint of sarcasm flickering in her eyes. "You're the crazy one. Mr. Carson's been sick of you for a long time, but you still shamelessly cling to the title of Mrs. Carson." She leaned closer and lowered her voice. "Today, I'll let you see with your own eyes who he really chooses." Right after she finished speaking, the factory doors were flung open. Keith strode in wearing a black trench coat, several bodyguards flanking him. His expression darkened the moment he saw the two women tied up. His voice turned icy and commanding. "Let them go!" A masked kidnapper ambled slowly between the two, a knife gleaming coldly in his hand under the sunlight. "Mr. Carson, did you bring the ten million dollars?" Keith lifted his hand, and a bodyguard stepped forward with a silver case. When he opened it, it revealed neatly stacked bundles of cash. The kidnapper nodded with satisfaction, but then his tone suddenly shifted. "But… I've changed my mind." He grinned wickedly, flicking the knife between Julia and Catherine. "I'll take the money, but I'm only letting one of them go. Mr. Carson, make your choice. Will it be your secretary… or your wife?" The air froze instantly.

© Webfic, All rights reserved

DIANZHONG TECHNOLOGY SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.