Revenge Wears My Ring novel Chapter 165

He didn’t spare Julian another glance, as if Julian had already lost the right to be noticed.

With long, measured strides, he walked past Julian, utterly calm, moving with an easy confidence that radiated quiet contempt—as though Julian were nothing more than empty air.

But just as they brushed past each other, Bennett’s steps faltered for the briefest moment.

He didn’t stop, not fully; his body simply angled slightly, his head turning ever so subtly in Julian’s direction.

Then a low, icy voice—deep and hollow, as if it echoed from the pit of hell—delivered each word with bone-chilling clarity:

“We’re ‘family’. I’ll be satisfied once you land this deal.”

With that, Bennett didn’t linger or wait for any response. He strode forward without a backward glance.

Julian stared after Bennett and Gwyneth as their silhouettes faded down the corridor, watching until they vanished completely into darkness.

His hands clenched into fists at his sides, nails digging so hard into his palms that a sharp, searing pain shot up his arm—but it did nothing to numb the frigid despair spreading through his chest.

He squeezed his eyes shut, drawing several slow, ragged breaths, fighting to swallow down the bitter taste burning at the back of his throat.

Family?

What kind of family was this?

He and Bennett had never been family—not really.

And Bennett had always wanted more than just this.

————

President’s Office, Harvest Group.

Julian had just finished a call with Yale. When Yale heard that Cloudview Resort had cost forty million, he was so furious he nearly lost it.

The order was clear:

Cloudview Resort must succeed. Failure is not an option.

Just as Julian hung up, his trusted aide Duncan rushed in, face ashen.

“Mr. Locke, I’m sorry!”

Duncan’s voice shook with both defeat and dread. “We lost the guy in sunglasses! He’s obviously a pro—knows this whole area like the back of his hand. He slipped away after a few turns, and our people… couldn’t even catch his license plate!”

“Useless! All of you—useless!”

The fear and anger Julian had been bottling up finally found an outlet. He spun around, eyes blazing, a wild animal pushed past its breaking point. With a violent kick, he sent the small side table flying.

The crash of shattered crystal and ornaments rang out, echoing through the chaos.

“Get out! All of you—get out!”

Duncan flinched, too frightened to protest, and quickly retreated, closing the door behind him.

The office was a wreck.

Julian’s chest heaved, his harsh breathing cutting through the thick, oppressive silence.

She was right… Queenie was right.

The price was steep, but the project was still his.

Bennett hadn’t managed to steal it away.

That was a victory.

As long as the project succeeded, he’d make back the forty million—and more.

He turned to Queenie, looking at her face filled with adoration and concern. Pulling her into his arms, he murmured, voice hoarse:

“You’re right, Queenie… At least the project is ours.”

It sounded as if he was trying to convince her, but even more so, he was trying to convince himself. “As long as we get it off the ground, profit is only a matter of time.”

Queenie nestled into his embrace, feeling his heart still pounding erratically beneath her cheek. A soft, contented smile played on her lips, though a flash of cold calculation flickered in her eyes.

If he could steady himself and keep pushing the project forward, it was just a matter of time before she married into the Locke family.

After all, Julian had promised her—once the project succeeded, she could finally become Mrs. Locke.

“Mhm, Julian, I believe in you! You’ll make Cloudview Resort the most successful project yet.” Her voice was syrupy sweet, brimming with faith and encouragement.

Julian held Queenie close, but his gaze drifted, drawn irresistibly to the vast windows and the city lights beyond.

The whole city glittered beneath the night sky, like a river of stars turned upside down.