Chapter 4

The comments section was buzzing with praise about Julian's wealth and power.

But I knew Julian held a grudge against me, despised me, and didn't even bother to hide his ridicule.

Still, he wasn't wrong. Those things were never meant for me anyway.

I was too timid to leave a comment on his posts, even when I snuck around with a sockpuppet account.

All these years, I never dared say a single word in his comment section.

Julian and I were never on equal footing.

The inequality between us was set in stone the moment I accepted that 300 thousand dollars from his mother.

That money was like a hot iron skewer, burning me with guilt every single day and night.

My conscience wouldn't let me rest, so I returned home.

Just 30 thousand more, and I'd make up the 300 thousand. Once I handed all that money back to Julian, things would finally be settled between us.

For now, I was still in Julian's debt.

Without Julian, this episode of the interview was on the verge of falling apart.

We had no choice but to bring in Ryan Chase, an up-and-coming singer who'd been waiting as a backup, to step into the spotlight.

Ryan knew full well he was only covering for Julian, and he acted like he owned the place.

He was well aware that, no matter what he did or how cocky he got, we couldn't swap him out for anyone else.

There wasn't enough time to find another replacement at the last minute.

In the studio, everything was prepped and ready, but Ryan sprawled across the couch, legs kicked up, radiating an air of total disregard.

I asked him three times, "Are we ready to start?" He didn't even bother acknowledging me.

After what felt like ages, Ryan finally glanced at the interview outline in my hand.

He shot a glance at my name tag and snorted unhappily, "Natalie, seriously? You're interviewing me with Julian's notes?"

I quickly explained, "Mr. Chase, it's a standard cover. Everyone gets the same folder for our show."

But Ryan ignored my explanation and kept rambling, sarcasm dripping from his voice.

"I know what's up. You wanted to interview the big-shot actor, but he'd rather pay the penalty than show up. Who do you think you are, anyway?" he sneered.

I was burning up inside, but there was no way I could risk a confrontation.

So I replied, "I didn't mean anything by it. Would you mind showing some respect, Mr. Chase?"

Ryan stood up from the couch and leaned in close, his face just inches from mine.

His gaze swept over me, head to toe, lingering with obvious contempt before he curled his lip in disdain.

"You want my respect? Please, are you even worthy?" he snorted.

He yelled toward the control room, "Find someone else. I'm not going to let some useless amateur interview me."

After that, he sprawled back on the couch, smirking as he waited for me to embarrass myself in front of the whole team.

The studio erupted into chaos. Someone rushed off to get the director.

Everything was supposed to go smoothly, step by step.

But with Ryan stirring up trouble and dragging his feet, everything was about to come crashing down.

I turned to the assistant. "Lett Helen do the interview."

She had barely made it out the door before she came darting back in, practically in a blur.

And right on her heels came Julian, storming into the studio with long, commanding strides.

He shrugged off his suit and dropped it into my arms casually.

He stared straight at me, rolling up his sleeves slowly and easily.

He said coldly, "Did I say I wasn't coming?

"You didn't even bother to ask and grabbed some nobody off the street to take my place."

I kept quiet, suddenly realizing he never said he wouldn't show.

I'd assumed it was a given because Julian hated me and wanted to make things hard for me.

Julian clearly didn't expect me to spit out some kind of excuse.

He lowered his head, his gaze growing cold and distant. "Natalie, don't go thinking I'm anything like you."

Ryan's attitude shifted instantly. He wasn't nearly as cocky as before.

He dragged himself up from the couch, muttering complaints under his breath.

"Come on, Mr. Carter. There's no need to call names. I'm not some nobody off the street," Ryan said.

Julian scowled and answered sharply, "Who said you could open your mouth?"

He tossed a nod at the cameraman and ordered, "Turn off every camera in this place. Ten minutes later, we'll start."

The moment the lights went out, Julian swung his fist and landed a solid punch right across Ryan's face.

Ryan's mind reeled. He couldn't believe Julian decked him, and did it right in front of everyone without a second thought.

He clutched his bleeding nose, staggering backward, and started yelling, "Someone, help! Julian punched me. He's going to kill me."