My Alpha Didn’t Want Me… Until I Disappeared Chapter 07

My Alpha Didn’t Want Me… Until I Disappeared Chapter 07

Secrets never stay buried for long.

Photos and videos of Julian and me holding hands at the birthday gala shot to the top of the trending topics overnight.

I expected Julian to have the trending tags taken down immediately to draw a clear line between us.

To my absolute surprise, the topic remained trending for an entire two weeks.

Blair’s voice drifted in from the front of the boutique. “Caroline, this is the thirteenth bouquet of fresh flowers Julian has personally delivered this month. Where should I put it? These flowers look insanely expensive…”

I kept my head down, operating the iron to smooth out a dress.

Hearing Blair’s words, I pointed casually to a corner.

“Just toss it over there.”

Blair began to sigh. “The corner is already overflowing with flowers. Lately, he’s sent every piece of jewelry imaginable, making sure you get the absolute best of everything first. It really looks like Julian is seriously pursuing you, Caroline.”

“Don’t you feel even a tiny bit of attraction toward him?”

I shook my head without a moment’s hesitation.

“Then why don’t you just make things clear to him?”

I didn’t answer her question.

Just as I finished hanging up the ironed dress, a deafening engine roar suddenly thundered outside the store.

I threw open the lounge door, only to find the storefront completely devastated.

A black G-Wagon had plowed straight through the front of my boutique.

The glass doors were shattered into millions of tiny pieces on the floor, while mannequins and clothing racks lay scattered in every direction.

Even the main service counter had been smashed to smithereens.

Fortunately, I had given the staff a half-day off today.

And since Blair and I had been inside the back lounge, we managed to escape the disaster completely unscathed.

Blair clutched her chest in pure terror.

She had come within inches of losing her life right then and there.

Once she snapped out of the shock, she completely lost her temper and began cursing without a shred of decorum.

“Who the hell do you think you are? Do you even know how to drive? Do you think this place is your living room?”

A figure stepped out of the vehicle, boasting bold red lips, dark hair, and an arrogant demeanor.

Despite having a delicate, pretty face, her entire presence radiated pure malice.

An imperceptible smirk curled onto my lips as a scream of twisted triumph echoed deep in my mind.

Nicola, you’re finally here.

“Juniper! It’s you again!”

Nicola’s furious voice reverberated through the ruined store.

Six years had passed, yet her absolute arrogance hadn’t diminished in the slightest.

“Have some dignity, will you? Do you honestly think launching a clothing brand lets you climb into a higher social class? A pathetic village girl trying to seduce Julian… look in the mirror and see if you’re even worthy. You’re shameless!”

Blair’s temper flared up completely. Remembering how close she had just come to dying, her rage boiled over.

“What kind of psycho wanders in here talking trash? Everyone knows Julian is the one chasing Caroline right now. What are you getting all hysterical for?”

Nicola marched up to me, carrying a briefcase, her beautiful features twisted with pure rage.

“Juniper Carter? Don’t think for a second that changing your name means I won’t recognize you. Chasing her? Ha! It’s obvious this bitch is deliberately seducing Julian!”

“You only came back to New York because you want Julian’s money, don’t you? Fine, I’ll give you the cash. Take it and get the hell out of New York!”

She slammed the briefcase down right in front of me.

With a sharp click.

The latches popped open, revealing stacks of neatly arranged hundred-dollar bills inside.

I used the toe of my shoe to slide the briefcase right back toward Nicola.

“Nicola, it’s been six years, and you haven’t matured a single bit. Let me make this incredibly clear to you.”

“I am not seducing Julian. He is pursuing me unilaterally. To put it bluntly, it’s harassment.”

But Nicola wasn’t listening to a word I said.

She lunged at me like a feral animal.

She didn’t use much force, yet I allowed myself to crash violently onto the ground anyway.

Shards of broken glass sliced deep into my back, leaving me drenched in blood.

Nicola froze in absolute shock.

She took several steps back, her hands trembling violently as her voice broke into tears.

“I… I didn’t push her hard! She fell on her own!”

“Nicola!”

Hearing Julian’s near-feral roar, Nicola’s face instantly drained of all color.

I pretended to lose consciousness, letting Julian scoop me up and rush me to the hospital.

Outside the hospital room.

I could hear Nicola’s trembling explanations.

“I really didn’t use that much force. I have no idea how she fell like that. Julian, you have to believe me, I’m not as evil as you think…”

“However,” Julian’s voice cut in, freezing cold, “you smashed a beer bottle over her head in the past. You harbor pure, unadulterated hatred toward her.”

“Nicola, let me make one thing clear. Breaking off our engagement had absolutely nothing to do with her. I simply stopped loving you. If you ever target her again, I will not let you off easy.”

Was that it?

I opened my eyes, staring out at the pitch-black night sky through the window.

It wasn’t enough. The punishment Nicola received was nowhere near enough.