Chapter 329
“Xander is just one person, I’m sure I can handle him,” Julian replied.
“Wow! You’re willing to defy your former best friend because of a woman. Now, tell me, what makes Anastasia so special p>
Julian’s gaze softened as he stared at the photo of Anastasia. It captured her in a rare moment of joy, her smile radiant and genuine, outshining even the camera flashes surrounding her. Seeing her like this reminded him of who she once was—far removed from the nightmare she was enduring now.
She looked alive, she looked happy, compared to how she looked in Xander’s slave house.
He had no idea as well why he wanted to defy his friend all because of a woman.
“I have no idea,” he replied, his voice steady. But as soon as the words left his mouth, laughter boomed from the other end, sharp and mocking, almost loud enough to make him flinch.
“Alright then, since you can’t answer that question. What do you plan to do with her after you get her out of there p>
Although Julian couldn’t see the person right now, he was sure he was air-quoting the last few words of his, since he believed Julian wasn’t serious.
“Are you going to get married to her and make her the mother of your daughter p>
“Shut up, Alex!!” Julian bellowed, pinching the skin between his eyebrows in frustration.
Alex erupted in another load of laughter, and the tone of his voice became unyieldingly serious.
“Anastasia’s husband is looking for her, and from the looks of things, it’s going to take him a while before he finds her, and now, you want to help his wife escape. Why?” Alex questioned.
“I felt something when I saw her the first time p>
Alex scoffed unimpressed. “You’re not some teenage boy that experiences love at first sight, Julian. I’m not saying you can’t help her escape and all that, but if Xander finds out about that, you would be in big trouble. Unless He trailed off, letting Julian complete his sentence.
“That’s right, because if Xander or anyone from his clan finds out about this, who knows what he might do to you? Wait a second first, what suddenly made you want to help her escape?” Alex asked, recalling he hadn’t asked that question yet.
Julian sighed exasperatedly due to Alex’s constant questions. “He wants to take her to the baby-making factory after I had already decided to buy her,” he replied, crushing the cigarette on a silver ashtray.
“And what will your daughter think when you see her bring a random woman into your house p>
“You ask way too many questions, Alex!” Julian snapped. “I only called you to help me clear any trace of her so Xander won’t find her p>
“And her husband?” Alex asked.
Julian ignored Alex’s question. “Are you going to help me or not p>
Julian could hear Alex sigh from the other line before he finally replied. “Like I have a choice. Just let me know when you want to get into action p>
Julian hung up on the call and placed his phone away.
He picked up Anastasia’s picture once again to look at it. “Love at first sight? That’s rubbish!” He pulled open one of his drawers and kept the picture hidden. He stood up from his chair and headed out of the room.
Just when he was about to climb down the stairs, a little girl hugged his legs.
“Daddy!!” She called, her high-pitched voice hitting his eardrums aggressively but he endured it and gave his daughter a warm smile.
“Yes baby,” He said, picking her up.
“Don’t tell me you’re leaving again. It’s almost time for dinner and you promised to eat with me today.” The young girl pouted her lips in disappointment and the smile on Julian’s lips only stretched further.
“Of course not baby. I was just heading to the dining table. I thought you were already there,” he replied, pecking her on the cheeks, and instantly, she became happy again.
The girl held her father close until they got to the dining table where several dishes had already been served and waiting to be cleared by them.
“Thanks,” Julian said to the middle-aged servant who was on standby in case they needed anything.
The woman nodded in pleasure as Julian helped his daughter, Emma, to her seat.
“How was school today?” He asked Emma.
“Our teachers decided to have a PTA meeting this session. But you’re always busy at work so before you promise you’ll attend, I know you won’t,” Emma replied, shoving some portion of food into her mouth.
Julian paused when at her words. He was ashamed of himself for not being able to be there for his daughter since the death of her mother.
“This is why I miss mummy. She could have come instead of you when you were so busy,” she added.
The dining table became silent with not a single sound being heard.
The servant noticed the change in atmosphere and quickly interjected.
“Emma, you shouldn’t talk to your father like that. I’m sure he’s trying his best to manage his schedule,” she said.
Julian gestured to the servant, letting her know he could handle the matter.
This wasn’t the first time his daughter had said such a thing. She was just a six-year-old girl who got back from school one day and heard her mother was no more when she was five.
It’d been a whole year and it was normal that she still hadn’t gotten used to the absence of her mother.
“Emma,” Julian called, reaching out for her hand from across the table. “I know it must have been difficult for you, but I promise you, I’ll be available to attend the PTA meeting p>
Emma squinted her eyes at her father, not sure if she should believe him or not.
Either way, she merely shrugged with a small smile on her lips.
“And I’ll be waiting for you in school,” she replied.