Chapter 319

The clicking of high heels faded into the distance as the woman disappeared into the night.

Julian Roscente's lips curled into a mocking smirk.

The bitterness of love?

Pathetic.

He downed his drink in one gulp.

Just then, a girl in a JK skirt emerged from the bar. Her makeup was flawless, with curled hair cascading over her shoulders and long legs peeking beneath the short skirt.

"Mr. Roscente..."

The girl cooed as she approached, but Julian sidestepped her advance.

In one fluid motion, he pulled Sophia Laurent into his arms instead.

Sophia, who had been watching the scene unfold, gasped in surprise.

Julian raised an eyebrow at the girl. "Sorry, already taken."

The girl bit her lip, shot Sophia a venomous glare, and stormed off.

"Using me as a shield?" Sophia sneered. "Tired of having hands?"

Julian had intended to release her, but now he changed his mind.

"What if I don't let go?" he challenged.

Sophia's eyes narrowed. "Perfect."

Before Julian could react, she twisted his arm behind his back.

"Ow! That hurts!" he yelped.

"Still want to play games?"

"I surrender! Let go!"

With a disdainful hum, Sophia released the pressure—only to guide his hand back to her waist.

"Now you may remove it," she said calmly.

Julian barked out a laugh.

Was she seriously pulling this move?

It was like...

A parent teaching a child to get back up after falling.

Julian = the child.

Sophia = the parent!

Damn it!

This was outright humiliation!

Suddenly, an enraged man burst out of the bar.

"Sophia Laurent! You stood me up?" The man was practically foaming at the mouth. "I thought you'd been in a car crash, but here you are flirting?"

His gaze landed on Julian's hand resting on Sophia's waist. "Seems I worried for nothing. Deal's off!"

He turned on his heel and left.

Sophia slapped Julian's hand away. "Want a repeat performance?"

Julian hastily withdrew his arm.

Watching the man's retreating figure, Sophia tugged at her hair in frustration.

Her carefully chosen business partner—gone just like that.

"This is your fault! Who drives that badly?"

Julian stood there meekly, accepting the scolding.

Of all people to rear-end, it had to be this hellion.

"Was that Adrian Lefèvre from the Chen family?" he asked curiously. "What deal were you working on?"

Sophia rolled her eyes. "None of your damn business."