CHAPTER 140: CHAPTER 140: ELIAS LANGLEY GETS THE ANSWER

Quinn Shepherd paused for a moment before responding, "Everyone in the village was asked, and their statements were consistent. They all said she was picked up from outside when she was 12. The identification center is still trying to extract DNA from the ashes, but there haven’t been any conclusive results yet."

Elias Langley’s eyes were deep and mysterious, and he didn’t reply.

Quinn Shepherd cautiously probed, "Boss, the doctor called again today, saying that if your hormones continue to be disrupted, it could affect your health fundamentally. If you really don’t want to involve emotions, I can arrange for you—a girl who is absolutely clean and safe, and no one would know. You can’t just keep enduring it when it comes to your health."

Elias Langley looked out the window, his side profile tense, and he said without emotion, "You’ve thought this through very thoroughly."

Quinn Shepherd couldn’t discern the meaning in those words and assumed it was a compliment, "I’ll make arrangements then."

...

The next day, Juliana Jacobs regained the strength in her legs.

She heard that Ryan Warner had arranged to meet old classmates at a bar, so she went after work.

The room number he sent her was E Zone 606, but when she reached the door, Juliana was a bit puzzled by the fallen sign.

Was it 606 or 909?

She gently pushed the door open, poking half of her face in.

Inside the dimly lit booth, three men in suits were sitting scattered among the velvet sofas.

Elias Langley sat alone in a central position, holding a glass of wine, his cold face appearing particularly aloof amidst the glamour and noise.

The bar manager was bowing to him, recommending the girl beside him.

"This girl was trained for two months, today is her first day at work, absolutely clean and sensible. Tonight, she will surely make you enjoy..."

So he was this sort of person.

Juliana was momentarily stunned and just happened to meet Elias Langley’s gaze.

The man clearly furrowed his brows.

Quinn Shepherd noticed his boss’s off expression, followed his gaze, and suddenly felt a chill in his heart, quickly interrupting the manager, "Take her out first, pay as agreed."

The manager was startled and turned to see Juliana at the door.

Juliana snapped back to reality, quickly said "Sorry, wrong room," and closed the door for them.

Quinn Shepherd felt as if the sky had fallen and wanted to chase after her to explain to his boss.

Miles Monroe put down his glass and stood up first, "I have something to do, I’ll step out for a moment."

Without waiting for a response from either of them, he hurried out.

Elias Langley glanced faintly at Quinn Shepherd.

Quinn Shepherd sheepishly said, "Boss, I can also go after her..."

Elias Langley put down his wine glass, leisurely spoke, "Secretary Shepherd is getting a bit too self-willed lately."

Quinn Shepherd instantly broke out in a cold sweat, immediately bowing his head, "I’m sorry, Boss. I overstepped. I will explain things clearly to Miss Jacobs."

Elias Langley’s gaze turned a bit darker, "No need."

Quinn Shepherd, "?"

Elias Langley, "I’m no gentleman. Not touching women all these years hasn’t been for lack of desire, just that I dislike being driven by lust like an animal. The data from the health reports aren’t that important, and the doctor’s words, just listen and let it be, no need to bring it up again."

...

Meanwhile, Miles Monroe caught up with Juliana Jacobs.

"Miss Jacobs, could I have a word with you?"

Juliana anxiously glanced at another 606 booth not far away, hesitated for a moment, then followed him to a secluded hallway.

"I’ve thought about it a lot. Your reaction to hypnosis is very intense, which may relate to dissociative features of PTSD. I suggest we first proceed with trauma therapy, and after stabilization, try hypnosis again for better results."

Juliana listened attentively, then smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Dr. Monroe, but..."

She paused, as if reconfirming her decision.

"Once, I also longed for parental love, but these past few years, I’ve survived alone. Now, I no longer have expectations. I will lead a good life on my own."

Miles Monroe gazed at her, a trace of respect in his eyes.

He didn’t press her, gently said, "I understand your choice. Your strength is more powerful than any treatment."

He took out his phone, "Let’s add each other. If you ever change your mind or just want someone to talk to, I’m always here."

Juliana didn’t think much of it, and the two added each other as friends.

Miles Monroe was about to leave when Juliana called after him, "Was I interrupting your meeting with some ladies just now?"

Miles Monroe was taken aback, then chuckled, "Someone was in the mood, but weighed down by psychological burdens. Friends brought me to counsel him."

Juliana understood, half-jokingly replied, "Then, Dr. Monroe, you should encourage them to be virtuous."

Miles Monroe nodded, "Rest assured."

The two parted ways in the hallway.

Miles Monroe returned to the booth to find Quinn Shepherd gone and only Elias Langley still sitting in his seat.

"Didn’t take a liking to the beauty just now?" he asked.

Elias Langley looked at him, his gaze deep, "You two are on good terms?"

Miles Monroe understood he was referring to Juliana, teasingly replied, "Personal matters, not convenient to disclose."

Elias Langley’s lips curled slightly, and he playfully patted him on the shoulder, "Let’s drink, we won’t leave until we’re drunk tonight."

...

Juliana Jacobs turned from the hallway and ran into Ryan Warner and... Stella Windsor!

They were walking side by side, seeming familiar with each other.

Juliana was taken aback, realizing Ryan Warner had gotten involved with Stella Windsor.

With no way to avoid them, her mind raced for how to handle the situation.

Coincidentally, her ankle hadn’t fully healed, and after walking a few steps, she stumbled against the wall.

Seeing Juliana, Stella Windsor instinctively distanced herself from Ryan Warner.

Ryan Warner, not having had the chance to greet Juliana, rushed to support her as he saw her about to fall.

"Are you okay?"

Juliana steadied herself and brushed away his hand, "So it’s Senior Warner. Even coming here to have fun with friends, I run into you; what bad luck."

Ryan Warner’s expression changed, seeing Stella Windsor had already left, assumed Juliana hadn’t noticed anything and said, "Junior, I’ve done my best to root out bad relatives, why still such hostility?"

Juliana retorted, "How would you like me to treat you then?"

Ryan Warner pulled open the door to an empty booth beside them and drew her inside.

"I know you hate Evan Grant. I can help you get back at him."

Juliana scoffed, clearly skeptical, "That big shot you’ve managed to cling to, are you willing to ruin it?"

Ryan Warner adjusted his slightly crumpled suit jacket, "Evan Grant is just a stepping stone in my career plan. You provide the technology, and I’ll handle bringing him down. Fair cooperation, you have no reason to refuse."

Juliana pondered, "If he’s a stepping stone, then what’s your goal?"

Ryan Warner’s patience waned, "Juliana, you need to understand that I’m not a puppet. I need your data and technology just to achieve my goal faster. Even if I temporarily partner with others, I won’t forget my ultimate aim."

Juliana’s smile was barely there, but her gaze was deep.

"Okay, once I see your sincerity, I’ll have my own plan."

With that, she left the booth.

Stella Windsor was walking out of the bar alone when she suddenly saw Elias Langley’s secretary hurriedly entering...

So, Elias Langley was also in this bar?

Recalling seeing Juliana in the hallway just now.

Stella Windsor’s eyes darkened slightly.

There’s definitely something between those two!

Quinn Shepherd didn’t notice her, pushed open the booth door, and saw Miles Monroe already drunk.

"Boss, the hangover cure..."

Elias Langley had already gotten his answer, sat on the sofa indifferent, "Feed it to him, then send him home."

...

The next day was the thirteenth day of the seventh lunar month, when local customs required paying respects to family tombs.

Stella Windsor went to Crestwood Cemetery.

She was not there to burn papers for Lily Windsor; she was there to find someone.

She finally saw Rosalind Linton’s figure in front of a row of tombstones and suppressed her joy as she approached.

"Auntie, do you remember me?"

Rosalind Linton was momentarily stunned, "You are..."

Stella Windsor smiled, "I’m a relative of the Grant Family."

Rosalind Linton suddenly understood, apologized, "I’m just Juliana’s foster mother and don’t have much contact with the Grant Family, so I don’t recognize many people."

Stella Windsor sighed, "Actually, my cousin’s condition is getting worse day by day. If my cousin-in-law could find a better support..."

She deliberately coughed lightly.

"For example, the gentleman from the Langley Family in Kingsford, I would support her leaving. A woman should think for herself, don’t you think?"