Chapter 4 - Enter Julian Vance
A tall, broad-shouldered man in a bespoke navy suit stepped out from the shadows near the fountain. He walked up the stairs with authoritative confidence. It was Julian Vance—Arthur Vance’s younger brother, a renowned international attorney and the chief legal counsel for the Vance Corporate Group.
David recoiled, instantly letting go of Emily's arm. "Julian? What are you doing here?"
Julian didn't answer David. Instead, he offered Emily a warm, respectful smile, placing a gentle hand on her lower back to guide her away from David's reach.
"Are you alright, Emily?" Julian asked softly.
"I'm fine, Julian. Thank you," Emily replied, offering him a genuine smile.
David’s head spun as he watched the interaction. "Wait... you two know each other?!"
"Of course we do, David," Julian turned to face him, his eyes icy and analytical. "Emily is the lead interior designer for Vance Enterprises' flagship luxury resorts. She is also my client—and a very close personal friend."
David’s jaw dropped. The "small boutique" Emily had built was actually a premier design house that had recently secured a multi-million-dollar contract with the very corporation David had been begging to join. Emily hadn't just survived without him; she had built an empire that dwarfed his own modest real estate firm.
"You... you've been working with my family?" David stammered, feeling the ground yield beneath his feet.
"Emily earned her success through talent, incredible hard work, and relentless integrity," Julian said firmly. "Unlike you, who tried to build a reputation on stolen credit and abandoned duties. As of this moment, David, you are barred from contacting Emily or these children. Any attempt to harass her will result in immediate legal action."
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"They're my children!" David shouted, his voice cracking with desperation as he realized his entire social standing and financial safety net were disintegrating.
"You renounced your rights the day you walked out without checking if she was okay," Julian countered calmly. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a lunch reservation."
