CHAPTER 187: CHAPTER 187: THE LITTLE BRIDE SPOILED FOR OVER A DECADE

Juliana’s heart trembled, but her serene expression didn’t change a bit.

She said blandly, "What, should I go back and finish the breakfast I didn’t complete?"

Jared Langley laughed and opened the car door for her.

"I’m glad you care about me."

But Juliana didn’t respond, getting into the car and deliberately keeping a distance from him.

Jared watched her profile for a while, knowing she was upset, so he patiently explained, "I asked earlier because I really care about you."

Juliana looked out the window without responding.

After a moment of silence, Jared spoke again, "In fact, I could have been home recuperating already, the doctor has set up a treatment plan, and I’ll actively cooperate."

Only then did Juliana’s attitude soften, and she turned her attention from the window to him.

"Hmm, I hope you recover soon and remember how we should interact with each other."

The smile on Jared’s lips slightly faded, with a faint, almost imperceptible gloom in his eyes.

The car slowly stopped outside an elegant breakfast diner.

They both got out of the car, but Jared naturally walked half a step ahead, unconsciously placing Juliana in a position behind him.

After entering the diner, he gentlemanly pulled out a chair for her, but when the waiter handed over the menu, he directly and smoothly ordered several dishes, then returned the menu to the waiter.

Throughout the process, he didn’t ask Juliana once what she wanted to eat.

"I ordered all the signature dishes of this restaurant, trust my choice, it’ll definitely suit your taste," Jared said.

Juliana smiled but didn’t respond.

She had a purpose when she met him.

Before long, the dishes were served.

"Last night my father sternly reprimanded my mother for her various inappropriate behaviors yesterday, and I apologize on her behalf," Jared said.

Juliana quietly ate her white-cut chicken, neither accepting nor rejecting his apology.

Jared continued explaining, "She just loves me too much and was worried that I’d become distant after getting a fiancée, which led her to act irrationally. I believe she’ll change. Juliana, come back with me..."

"Why is Isabelle Sinclair staying at your house?" Juliana suddenly interrupted him and asked.

Jared paused for a moment before catching up with her train of thought.

"Her mother comes from a family of medical professionals, and the Langley Family has always sought her and her family’s help. She later married into the even more influential Sinclair Family, so we naturally treat the Sinclair children extra well."

Juliana was a bit curious, "So Isabelle benefits from her mother’s connections?"

Jared laughed, "Not entirely. The Sinclair Family’s status in Kingsford is special. Uncle Sinclair is a nationally revered expert in integrated circuits, having survived multiple overseas assassination attempts due to technical secrets; Auntie Vaughn’s academic status is high, but marrying into the Sinclair Family was merely the icing on the cake."

His speech was calm, carrying a hint of coolness.

"The Sinclair Family’s foundation is not in wealth, but in irreplaceable technology and influence. Such a family doesn’t need to compare money or power with anyone; their confidence stands by itself."

Juliana’s gaze held a trace of disdain, "So even if the Sinclair Family committed heinous acts, nobody would bother them."

Jared shook his head, "The Sinclair Family’s values are strict, treating adopted children as their own, meticulously nurturing them, and the Sinclair children are all low-profile, never causing trouble."

Some people might not seem it, but that doesn’t mean they’re not bad people.

Juliana mused silently to herself.

Her instinct told her that Summer Shaw’s harm might be connected to Isabelle Sinclair.

But so far, she hadn’t found a motive for why Isabelle would want to snuff out Summer Shaw.

She set aside her doubts and asked instead, "Then which daughter of the Sinclair Family has your Uncle been searching for?"

"Uncle Sinclair and Auntie Vaughn’s biological daughter once saved my Uncle’s life. Because of this gratitude, when Uncle Sinclair jokingly proposed to marry off his daughter to my Uncle in the future, my Uncle took it seriously, doting on her as his fiancée for over a decade."

"Even though the girl disappeared years ago, my Uncle has never given up and continues to search diligently for her whereabouts, showing he genuinely cares."

Hearing this, Juliana’s heart tightened as if squeezed by an invisible hand.

Such deep love, if the person was still alive, then he...

A hint of sadness crossed Juliana’s eyes.

Seeing her stay silent, Jared said again, "Juliana, let the past be the past, tomorrow..."

Before he could finish, Juliana stood up and interrupted, "Sorry, I need to use the restroom."

Jared sighed.

Juliana walked along the carpet towards the restroom.

Probably due to the high expense, there weren’t many diners, making the restroom at the end of the corridor seem quite secluded.

Just as she rounded the corner, suddenly the door to an ajar utility room next to her opened, a strong arm wrapped around her neck, and another large hand covered her mouth, stifling her scream.

Juliana widened her eyes in terror, struggling desperately, but the other person’s strength was overwhelming.

Soon after, another person swiftly taped her mouth with prepared wide duct tape and deftly tied her hands behind her back with zip ties.

The two worked seamlessly, hauling the silenced and bound Juliana swiftly into the service corridor, heading towards a parked black business vehicle at the back door.

The whole process happened almost within seconds.

Juliana was stuffed into the car, and the two men jumped in after her.

"Nathan, it’s done."

Nathan Chapman, sitting in the driver’s seat, put down his phone and glanced back.

Confirming it was indeed Juliana, he said, "Miss Jacobs, don’t panic. I’m just taking you somewhere; your life isn’t in danger."

With that, he floored the accelerator to start the car.

However, the expected acceleration didn’t happen. The entire vehicle just lurched violently once, then remained still, one side even slightly tilted.

The people inside the car hadn’t reacted when they saw through the car window a black tire merrily rolling away as if it were free.

The whole car was dumbfounded.

At this moment, someone knocked on the driver’s side window.

Nathan turned his face to see Raine Kane’s smile, radiant as a deathly bloom, reflecting in his eyes.

Before he could respond, there was a "bang."

The window shattered, and Raine reached in, grabbing his throat.

The speed was so fast, even Nathan himself couldn’t react.

"What... what do you want?" Nathan asked.

Raine didn’t answer, merely tightened her grip on his throat.

Seeing Nathan’s face turn a liver color, the two underlings jumped out to fight her.

Raine took them both down with just two moves.

Nathan seized the chance to fight back but was still firmly restrained by Raine.

Yet, a new problem arose.

With both her hands busy, who would untie Juliana?