Leo froze in shock, staring at the door Julia had just slammed shut.
For a moment, he couldn't even process what had happened. Julia had walked out on him. And she had slammed the door.
He slowly turned to Lilly.
Lilly looked like she had just swallowed a fly.
Forcing a strained smile, she tried to placate the angry Leo, the same Leo she had planned to make good use of in controlling Julia.
"She's not usually like this," Lilly said softly. "She must be under a lot of stress."
She put on a graceful smile as if that explained everything.
"Cough… cough…" Leo cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to ease the embarrassment.
God knows that was a huge blow to his ego.
Julia had never spoken to him that way before.
Despite being a spoiled princess, she had always tolerated his demands and even his mean behavior.
He had been sure—confident—that he had her wrapped around his fingers.
"Julia is just mad at me," he said after thinking it through.
"I'm the one at fault this time. I should have gone to see her before coming to the company."
He spoke putting on the picture of a caring boyfriend.
"It's not your fault, Leo," Lilly said quickly. "Julia is terrible at recognizing sincere gestures. Besides, I'm glad you came."
Her voice turned cloying. "You were really great."
Leo straightened immediately at her words.
"Oh, it's nothing," he said proudly. "I'm glad to be of help. Call me anytime you need me, and I'll be there."
He almost looked like a peacock, puffed up with pride.
"Oh… would that really be alright?" Lilly asked, putting on a troubled look. "I mean, Julia—"
"You don't need to worry about her," Leo interrupted. "She's just throwing a childish tantrum."
Lilly batted her lashes, faking a shy expression.
"Well, I hope you don't see me as a nuisance when the time comes," she said gently.
"Now go get your girl," she added, patting his chest playfully.
The moment Leo walked out, the smile on Lilly's face dropped.
"Julia, that dumb bitch," she thought maliciously. "I'll deal with you."
Julia sat quietly at the restaurant, waiting for the waitress to bring her order.
Just then, a man dressed casually pulled out the chair beside her and sat down with relaxed ease. A gentle smile curved his lips—the kind that could make any girl swoon.
Any girl… except Julia.
Her heart had long sealed itself shut.
She lifted her gaze from her phone, cold eyes taking in the familiar man.
"Michael Kings," he said, stretching out his hand. There wasn't a hint of intimidation on his face despite her icy stare. If anything, he looked amused.
Julia glanced at his hand. After a brief pause, she took it. Her small hand disappeared entirely into his larger one.
"I was the doctor who treated you this morning," he added with a chuckle. "Didn't expect to see my patient walking around so soon."
Julia nodded slightly. With her sharp memory, there was no way she could forget his face.
"Julia—"
"Robert," he completed smoothly, a satisfied look flashing in his eyes.
"I didn't expect to be this famous," Julia said dryly.
"Of course you are. Your family has been all over the news recently." His voice softened. "I'm sorry for your loss. I hope I'm not intruding."
"Not at all," Julia replied lightly.
Now that she had returned as Julia, she would need allies.
This doctor sitting beside her might be useful someday.
The thought crossed her mind, but her expression remained calm.
"Thank you for the concern," she added.
Just then, the waitress arrived and placed their orders.
"You're nothing like what I've heard about you," Michael said suddenly.
Julia raised a brow.
"Oh?" she asked. "And what exactly have you heard about me?"
"Well… it's not exactly—" he hesitated, clearly searching for less offensive words.
"You mean bratty, spoiled, dumb, materialistic, superficial," Julia said calmly, her smile soft. "I could go on, Mr. Kings."
Michael looked stunned.
"What? You didn't think I knew what people say about the Robert heiress?" she joked lightly.
"No, it's just…" He lifted his hands in defeat. "I didn't expect you to say it so casually. I'm sorry you have to hear things like that."
Truth be told, he had expected her to fit the rumors. After all, her social circle was filled with spoiled, materialistic brats.
But now…
There was clearly more to her.
I might need to change my plans, he thought.
Julia focused on her food, eating calmly, gracefully. Everything about her was natural, unforced.
Noticing his stare, she lifted her head.
"You seem to enjoy watching me eat more than eating your food, Mr. Kings."
"Oh—where are my manners," he coughed.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out an invitation and handed it to her.
"Julia, this is an invite to my birthday party. I'd be glad if you could make it."
"We're not even friends," Julia said plainly. The introvert in her would much rather stay home than socialize.
"You were my patient," he replied matter-of-factly. "I saved your life."
"You have a point," Julia admitted, smiling faintly. "But I paid for that treatment, Mr. Kings."
"Call me Michael," he said. "And yes, you paid—but I still saved your life."
"Fine," Julia agreed. "You did."
She paused, then smiled slightly. "But that still doesn't count."
"Oh?" His interest was clearly piqued. "What would count?"
"If I need help," she said calmly, "and you help me."
"If I can," he added quickly, noticing the strange smile on her face. Something about it made him uneasy.
"Of course you can," Julia said lightly.
"I need to see someone," she began, pausing briefly. "But she's dead."
Michael stiffened.
" relex we are not digging a grave open,one of the bodies in your hospital mortuary," she continued. "She was a dear friend of mine."
She put on a pained expression.
"That's… a strange request," Michael said carefully.
"her is Tina Wang," Julia added, her name sounded quite strange on her lips.
"Oh, that won't be a problem," he said after a moment. "Just give me the name and I'll confirm she's there. But why not wait for the funeral?"
"If I don't see her," Julia said quietly, "there won't be a funeral. She has no one."
Michael nodded slowly, though he still found it odd.
"So… we're friends now, right?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Maybe," Julia replied.
She stood up, picked up her bag, then paused and looked back at him.
"I know you already have my number, Michael," she said calmly. "Call me when you're ready."