Chapter 99

Julian entered with confidence, clad in a custom-fitted suit that highlighted his imposing, statuesque frame.His gleaming dress shoes clicked purposefully against the floor with each step.

The moment he entered, a hush fell over the sprawling mansion. Not a soul stirred or uttered a word.

All attention locked onto Julian as he moved toward Yvonne, bending slightly to pull her into a warm embrace.

His fingers gently combed through her tangled locks,untidy from her desperate attempt to flee, his face radiating affection.

Beneath his composed demeanor, however, Yvonne detected a chilling fury. This anger wasn't aimed at her but at Andrew, who had just slunk back, his face bruised as though struck, his spirit utterly deflated. "Next time you want to go somewhere, just let me know, and I'll take you. Don't sneak off with someone else, alright?" Julian murmured to Yvonne.

Andrew, realizing his error, stammered an explanation, but Julian's sharp, unyielding stare left him trembling, forcing him to bow his head in defeat.

Throughout the exchange, Julian didn't so much as glance at Vince, who stood before him.

The room was filled with prominent, high-profile figures, yet Julian's presence reduced them to silence, their breaths shallow with fear.

Despite Vince's own prestige and accomplishments,Julian's aura made him feel like an insignificant speck, unnoticed and irrelevant.

Caught between dread and resentment, Vince mustered the courage to speak. "Mr. Powell, l..."

Before he could finish, Julian's cold, commanding gaze silenced him, leaving him frozen, as if the air had been sucked from his lungs. He stood paralyzed, cursing his luck internally.

His thoughts spiraled in disbelief-why was Julian here, at an event he would typically deem beneath him?

A realization hit Vince, and he shot a wary glance at Yvonne, suspecting she hadn't exaggerated her ties to the Powell Group, perhaps even sharing a unique bond with Julian.

As Julian stepped closer, Vince, despite their similar stature, felt diminished, shrinking under his presence.

"Did you plan to hurt my woman?" Julian's tone was glacial.

Vince collapsed to his knees with a heavy thud, tears streaming as he begged, "It was a misunderstanding,Mr. Powell! I had no idea she was yours! I wouId have shown her nothing but respect if I had known!"

Seeing Julian unmoved, Vince scrambled toward Yvonne, pleading desperately, "Please,tell Mr.Powell we're friends, that it was all in jest, alright? You wanted me for your movie, didn't you? I'll do it without a fee!"

Yvonne's view of Vince soured further; his sudden opportunism was repulsive. Recalling the ordeal, a wave of revulsion hit her, and she spat with contempt, "I would never cast someone like you in my film!" Had Julian not arrived when he did, her fate could have been dire.

With an icy glare and no trace of doubt, Yvonne turned to Julian. "I don't know him, and we're definitely not friends. Do what you need to."

Vince's panic surged, his frantic apologies accompanied by tears. "Mr. Powell, please, don't kill me! I know I messed up!"

(

Julian's eyes narrowed, taking in Yvonne's disarrayed hair and tear-streaked face, clear signs of her distress.

His gaze grew frostier as it landed on Vince, his voice cutting like ice. "No need for such drama. We live in a civilized world, so naturally, I won't kill you."

Just as Vince began to exhale, a group of impeccably dressed figures strode through the entrance, exuding wealth and authority.

The mansion fell silent again, the gathered celebrities shrinking back, some lowering their gazes, others trying to blend into the shadowS.

These new arrivals were titans of the entertainment world, second only to Julian. Crossing any of them meant career suicide.

Unfortunately for these celebrities, those new arrivals were Julian's business allies, all eager to curry favour with the Powell Group.

Approaching Julian, they asked with concern,"What's going on, Mr. Powell?"

Julian glanced at Vince, who quivered like a frightened animal, on the verge of collapse, and gave a faint, chilling laugh. "Nothing serious. I've just learned Vince has no interest in the opportunities provided to him. Let's ensure he won't be bothered with such things anymore."

The message was unmistakable-Vince's career was over; he was effectively blacklisted from the entertainment industry.