His Camera Loved My Best Friend Chapter 05

His Camera Loved My Best Friend Chapter 05

The moment I entered the office, I ran into the mocking looks of my coworkers.

“She’s jealous because Vanessa has a rich, handsome boyfriend.”

“I told you career women like her are a problem. Always living like some monk. No wonder her emotions are off.”

The room was quiet.

Every word stabbed into me.

I said nothing.

My gaze swept past Julian.

And I suddenly remembered how, in the past, if anyone muttered one thing about me, he would step forward and defend me immediately.

But now Julian didn’t even raise his head.

The next second, Julian posted a legal notice on X.

“I won’t let anyone get away with maliciously attacking and insulting my girlfriend.”

The images attached were screenshots of people mocking Vanessa in private messages.

Those messages were nowhere near as cruel as what I was enduring.

But Julian cared.

In the office, my supervisor went straight to the point.

“You did well preparing for this event.”

“The rest will go to Vanessa.”

That meant the credit would go to Vanessa too.

My fists clenched hard.

“Why?”

As soon as I spoke, I saw Julian walk in.

He was the heir of West Media Group.

I was so angry I lost control, and my voice rose sharply.

“How could you do this to me?”

“I worked on this for three whole months. You know…”

“So what?”

Unlike me, Julian’s tone stayed flat.

“You made Vanessa get attacked online. She’s very upset.”

I said, “So you’re punishing me for her?”

“You’re using company power to steal my project?”

Julian didn’t deny it.

It felt as if a hand had closed around my throat.

All my anger and grievance were forced back down.

When a coworker had harassed me before, I reported it to my supervisor and got nowhere.

I asked Julian to help transfer me to another department, even if it didn’t fit my career path.

Julian refused.

He said:

“Isn’t that abusing power?”

“The West family is strict about this.”

“If my parents found out, they’d have a very bad impression of you.”

Back then, I was so ashamed my face burned.

I thought I had crossed a line.

Now I understood.

When Vanessa was hurt, Julian felt pain.

Seeing me suddenly go quiet, Julian looked almost helpless.

“If you hadn’t left that comment, would any of this have happened?”

“Vanessa is in a bad state. She can’t be alone.”

“I won’t be going home for a while.”

“When she’s better, I’ll…”

He seemed like he wanted to say more.

But the moment Vanessa called, he turned and left at once.

“Vanessa, don’t be scared.”

“I’m coming.”

He looked anxious.

His voice held care he couldn’t hide.

The last time I heard that tone was last year, when I fell off my bike.

Julian had teared up in front of me for the first time.

“If something happened to you, what would you expect me to do?”

I had been so moved then.

I never imagined one day Julian would care about someone else like that.

Especially not my best friend.

I stood where I was until Julian disappeared from sight.

After a long while, I slowly pulled off my employee badge.

Back then, to be closer to Julian, I turned down an offer back home that fit me better and joined this company.

For seven years, I woke early, stayed late, and broke down countless times.

What kept me going was the thought that once I got promoted, I could stand tall in front of Julian and his family.

Look.

I’m worthy of Julian West.

Now everything had been ruined.

By Julian himself.

After leaving the office, I took a cab straight home to pack.

On the way, I passed the Mercedes Julian often drove.

I saw him sending a voice message on his phone.

A strawberry cake sat safely in the passenger seat.

Vanessa’s favorite.

My phone chimed.

It was a voice message from Julian.

I played it.

“Work is what you owe Vanessa.”

“But don’t get too upset.”

“Stay home and rest for a while.”

“I’ll have someone come cook for you.”

“You’ve looked terrible lately. You need to eat well.”

I listened to every word.

Then I said nothing.

Blocked.

Deleted.

When I opened my eyes again, I was already a thousand miles away in Southport.

At the same time, the company sent Julian a message.

Leah Brooks resigned.

Julian froze.

In his mind, Leah would at most be suspended for a while.

Then the cook called him too.

“Ms. Brooks’s things are all gone.”

“Are you sure she’s coming back?”