The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 331

“I figured you were already dressed,” Harlan said from the threshold. “Wanted to invite you downstairs for breakfast.”

“Give me a minute,” Quinn answered.

“You won't mind an extra guest, will you?” Julius said, stepping forward.

Harlan's expression hardened when he saw Julius in sleepwear standing behind Quinn.

Anyone could tell Julius had spent the night in that room.

Harlan lunged past Quinn and fisted Julius' collar. “Julius, what are you doing here?”

“Why shouldn't I be?” Julius asked, unruffled. “The owner of this room hasn't questioned me, so what right do you have?”

Harlan glared, wanting to wipe the smugness off that face.

If Quinn weren't standing there, he would have thrown a punch already.

“Harlan, let go. He stayed here overnight for certain reasons.”

Only then did Harlan unclench his hand, grudgingly.

When Quinn disappeared into the bathroom to wash up, the two men left behind locked eyes like drawn blades.

“Don't fool yourself, Julius,” Harlan said, his voice dipped in frost. “Sneaking into her room with some despicable trick won't win you a second chance. She broke up with you. She doesn't look back—she proved that when she walked away from Trent.”

Despicable? The word flickered across Julius' gaze, leaving a faint, dangerous glint.

Maybe he was despicable. He had brandished his insomnia, let her think he was unraveling, and preyed on her need to settle every debt, luring her into what he called repayment. Yet without such schemes, she would never have allowed him this close—never within breathing distance of her guarded heart.

Julius kept his voice low. He said, “I'm not Trent. From the beginning to the bitter end, I've loved only Quinn. She knows it—why else would she let me stay in her room tonight?”

Harlan let out a short, cold laugh. “I don't know how you managed to plant yourself in her room, but nothing happened—did it? Which means she isn't interested in you at all.”

Julius' expression soured, the insult crawling under his skin.

Julius knew all too well that Quinn's logic and self-control eclipsed that of most women he had met.

If she could truly claim this man, then the vast Fane empire might one day be hers as well.

Serena ran a fingertip along his collar. “When we get back, Uncle Everett will value you even more. Over these three years, he's treated you like a son.”

The “Uncle” she referred to was Everett Fane, the man who, on paper, had adopted Leander. Everett was the true power behind the Fane dynasty.

Leander met her gaze without flinching. He said, “And what of it?”

Serena's voice slithered closer. “Are you really unmoved by the Fane fortune? The estate is enormous, and Uncle Everett never married. He's claimed you as his son. Charm him a little more, and the whole empire could someday be yours.”

Leander answered quietly, “I stay with the Fanes only to repay a debt.”

Serena let out a derisive laugh. “That sounds noble. Most people would lose themselves in the face of such wealth. If you and I were together, even if you failed to inherit, our child would carry Fane blood. Uncle Everett might gladly pass the estate to that child.”

Leander's eyes flashed with annoyance. He said, “Remember, I already bear the Fane name.”

Serena leaned in until her lips were a breath from his. “So what? We're not related by blood. If I had your child, we could always claim you were Uncle Everett's adopted son, not his bastard. They'd accept it—maybe even welcome it.”