Chapter 15 You Call That “No Malice”?
Becky knew this woman. She was Yulia’s best friend—the kind who always jumped to her defense and made a fuss on her behalf.
Her tone was indifferent as she shot back, “Whether I’m pitiful or not is none of your damn business. I’m not begging food from your house. As a woman, you should try shutting up sometimes. Nobody’s mistaking you for mute.”
“You-! Yulia, did you hear that? She’s out of line!”
Yulia reached out to hold her back. “Quincy, just let it go.”
Then she turned to Becky with an apologetic look. “Quincy’s just straightforward. She doesn’t really mean anything by it. Becky, don’t take it personally.”
Becky looked at them like they were idiots, then let out a dry laugh.
“You call that no malice? Are you both brain-dead? Or is just one of you brain-dead?”
Quincy shrieked, “Becky, who are you calling brain-dead?!”
“Whoever’s brain-dead is who I’m talking about.”
“Yulia, look at her! She’s completely out of control-so rude it’s disgusting!”
Yulia’s face didn’t look so pleasant anymore either. She frowned. “Becky, we didn’t provoke you. Why are you being so nasty?”
Becky gave a disdainful snort through her nose.
“I’m just nasty like that. If you see me around, don’t say hi. Otherwise don’t complain when I cuss you out.”
With that, she turned and strode toward the bus stop.
Back when she read the novel, she already hated this female lead. She’d left messages under every chapter telling the author to kill her off. And her dumb best friend too.
Behind her, Quincy fumed. “You see that? You shouldn’t have defended her. She totally deserved what happened to her.”
Yulia watched Becky squeeze onto a bus and felt a strange satisfaction.
Back when she and Xavier were together, Becky had been like a shadow that wouldn’t go away. Always haunting Xavier’s side like a ghost.
She and Xavier would just want some time alone, and Becky would always show up out of nowhere.
She’d complained to Xavier about it many times, begging him to kick Becky out.
But Xavier had snapped at her instead, saying Becky was like a sister to him. If she couldn’t accept Becky, then maybe they shouldn’t be together at all.
1/4
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She left the country after that, too angry to stay.
Not long after, she heard Xavier had married Becky.
The news nearly made her faint.
She cut her studies short and rushed back home.
Now, finally, Xavier and Becky were divorced.
Deep down, she resented Becky. Seeing her in such a miserable state now made her feel quietly triumphant.
Quincy asked, “Now that Becky and Xavier are divorced, you and Xavier are back together, right? When’s the wedding? Just so you know, I’m definitely going to be your maid of honor.” .
Yulia was slim and delicate, with a cool, graceful air. Her long black hair flowed straight down her back.
At that moment, she lowered her head shyly. “I don’t know if we’re really back together. There’s nothing definite about marriage yet.”
Quincy laughed. “You’re blushing. Of course you’re back together. Everyone knows how close you two were. You were Xavier’s crush. Marrying you is just a matter of time. Maybe he’s already planning something and wants to surprise you. Just wait-soon you’ll be his bride.”
Yulia blushed even harder. “It’s too soon to say.”
“I think it’s totally possible. Xavier loved you so much. He’ll definitely want to give you the best. Not like Becky. When he married her, they just got the marriage certificate-no ceremony at all. That tells you how little he cared.”
Yulia’s heart fluttered. She thought of the day in the car when Xavier had taken back Becky’s wedding ring without a second thought. He really had no feelings for her at all.
“Quincy, I… I’m not going shopping anymore. I want to go see Xavier.”
Quincy teased her. “Missing your man already?”
“Cut it out. Don’t talk nonsense.”
“I’m not. Xavier is your man. Go on, don’t worry about me.”
“Okay, I’m going.”
“Mm, go ahead.”
Yulia headed to Glory Corp.
The receptionist knew who she was and recognized her as the woman the boss liked, so she let her take Xavier’s private elevator straight up.
2/4
Yulia was practically floating with happiness.
But as soon as she got to Xavier’s office door, she heard him yelling inside.
“What the hell is this? Redo it!”
“Who was in charge of this survey? This is just lazy. This whole report is garbage. Trash it and start over!”
“Kevin! Where did you find this person? Did they even finish middle school? Mistakes like this? Fired!”
“Who made this coffee? I asked for black. Got it?”
A group of people came shuffling out of the office.
Their faces were gray with stress. They looked like they’d been dragged through mud-completely
wrecked.
Kevin, who came out last, spotted Yulia and lit up like he’d seen a lifeline.
“Ms. Yulia, please go in and calm Mr. Xavier down. He’s tearing everyone apart.”
Yulia hesitated. “I don’t know if I can.”
“Ms. Yulia, don’t be modest. Everyone knows Mr. Xavier cares most about you. He’ll listen to you. If you can’t calm him down, nobody can.”
Yulia lowered her head, looking demure. “Then I’ll try.”
Kevin nodded quickly. “Please, Ms. Yulia. We’re counting on you.”
Yulia pushed open the door.
Xavier stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his back straight and imposing.
Yulia walked up behind him, reaching out to hug him. Before she even touched his shirt, she was shoved hard.
Xavier had used real strength. Yulia fell straight to the floor on her butt, landing in a ridiculous position.
Xavier turned around and froze when he saw who it was.
“It’s you?”
Yulia’s eyes filled with tears, her expression pitiful.
“Xavier, you’re so mean. I just wanted to hug you because you looked upset.”
She didn’t get up. She was waiting for Xavier to help her.
“Sorry, I didn’t know it was you.”
“It’s okay. I don’t blame you. I should’ve said something first.”
3/4
She waited a long time, but Xavier still didn’t come over.
Left with no choice, she got up herself, pretending to rub her back casually.
Xavier didn’t look at her. He seemed lost in thought.
Yulia had to clear her throat and muttered softly, “Ouch, that really hurt. I think I twisted my back.”
Xavier snapped out of it, walked over to his desk, and picked up the phone.
“Jack, come in.”
A moment later, Jack entered. “Mr. Xavier, you called?”
Xavier said, “Ms. Yulia hurt her back. Take her to the hospital. I’ll cover the bill.”
“Yes, Mr. Xavier.”
Jack walked over to help Yulia. “Ms. Yulia, let’s get you to a doctor.”
Yulia was stuck now.
Her back was totally fine. She’d just wanted to get Xavier’s attention.
Now she had no choice but to leave with Jack.
Kevin saw her being helped out and came over with concern.
Yulia explained, “I tripped over something and twisted my back.”
Kevin sighed with relief and joked, “Whew. I thought Mr. Xavier had hit you. Scared me to death.”
Yulia’s face turned even more awkward.
There was no way to explain.
