CHAPTER 220: CHAPTER 220: CRASHING STRAIGHT INTO MASON SHERIDAN’S ARMS

"There’s nothing for us to avoid between us, you can listen openly."

After saying that, Elias Langley left.

Juliana Jacobs could clearly feel that he was angry.

"Miss Jacobs..."

Florence Sinclair, after the initial awkwardness, suddenly gathered herself, approached Juliana with elegance and arrogance once again.

"...Do you think you’ve walked through the door in Elias’s heart just because it’s open a crack for you?"

Florence revealed a meaningful smile.

"For over a decade, he’s always had someone in his heart. You just happened to slide into his view with a similar face and unique personality, becoming a qualified substitute. If my sister were dead, the affection you received might last longer, but unfortunately..."

She deliberately paused, hoping to see the blood drain from Juliana’s face.

However, there was nothing.

Florence became ruthless, spelling out the bloody truth word by word.

"...There’s a good chance my sister isn’t dead. When she returns, how will you, this proud substitute, position yourself? Will you calmly accept the title of ’mistress,’ watching their affection for each other, or will you suppress your nausea, continuing to beg for a bit of affection while imitating another under him?"

Juliana listened quietly until she finished, her expression unchanged.

Only her eyes shone more brightly and coldly, as if washed by icy waters.

Florence was waiting for her to break down, but instead, she merely laughed softly.

Her voice, when she opened her mouth, was terrifyingly calm.

"You’ve said so much, just to make me back off and lose my composure. But..."

She took a step forward, her gaze cutting into Florence’s soul like a blade.

"...do you know why I’m not worried at all? Because, with your nature, how could you tolerate the real heiress of the Sinclairs returning alive?"

Florence’s smug expression froze instantly, and for a moment, she stood there like a wooden stump.

"Instead of wasting time on me, Miss Sinclair, you’d better approve my friend’s application promptly. After all, it’s not my only hope, but it might be your only value now."

With one sentence, she thwarted Florence’s intent to threaten her with Summer Shaw’s life.

Juliana smiled faintly and walked confidently toward the room.

On the stairs, she tripped on something, hurriedly grabbing the handrail to steady herself.

At that moment, a piercing pain struck from the back of her head, causing her dangling right hand to tremble uncontrollably.

Instinctively, she clenched her pant leg, chaotic images flooding her mind like an explosion, yet none coming into focus.

Fortunately, the sharp pain subsided in less than half a minute, her mind calming quickly, leaving only her slightly erratic breath and heartbeat.

Juliana took a few deep breaths, composed herself, and continued up the stairs.

Returning to her room, it was completely silent inside.

Just as she was about to sit down and rest a bit, her gaze suddenly fixated on the dressing table.

There, lay a box of pills and a note.

She remembered finishing the last pill yesterday without mentioning it to Elias, but he somehow knew to send a new supply today.

This silent thoroughness warmed her more than any words could.

The words on the note, written in Elias Langley’s handwriting, were brief and to the point: "Not coming back tonight"

Juliana put away the note, took the medicine, then went to bathe and sleep.

Tonight, she wasn’t affected by Florence’s provocation.

It was the sudden thought she had on the stairs that startled her, almost making her fall.

As for the stabbing pain at the back of her head, it seemed like an old injury from being slammed against the door by Jared hadn’t healed.

She didn’t probe further.

The next day, Florence mysteriously returned to Kingsford.

Caleb Shaw brought news from the biological laboratory.

The team from Kingsford had completed additional checks for Summer Shaw, and all data would be taken back for deeper analysis, but they still awaited the final assessment.

Fortunately, Summer Shaw’s strong will to live continued to support her vital signs, keeping them stable.

This meant Juliana still had time to gain the lab’s agreement.

A week passed, and Leona Sheridan remained confined, Victor Langley showing no intention of releasing her.

Jared Langley found himself out of options.

For an entire morning, he accompanied his father at breakfast, intending to speak on behalf of his mother.

Just as he was about to speak, Elias Langley set down his teacup and said to Victor Langley, "I hear the new achievements of ’Project Helios’ are very much to Julian Vance’s liking. Tell Adrian to prepare a strategic report and submit it to Quinn Shepherd."

Hearing this, Victor Langley’s spirit was immediately lifted.

"Second brother, didn’t you always oppose mixing public and private affairs?"

Elias Langley’s gaze seemed indifferent, "Blackstar is as competitive as any other company. Avoiding it because of my position would be mixing public and private affairs."

"Actually, this project was initially by Jared..."

Before Victor Langley could finish, Elias interrupted him directly.

"There has been no improvement in Jared’s condition. How do you expect him to handle the crucial liaison with Julian Vance when he struggles with his own job?"

"Uncle, I actually... am fine."

Jared didn’t want to be excluded at such a critical moment.

But Elias didn’t even spare him a glance.

"Continue to recuperate properly and don’t covet what doesn’t belong to you."

These words sounded like an alarm bell, echoing loudly in Jared’s heart.

His uncle’s intent was crystal clear.

He wanted his father to abandon him and support the illegitimate child instead.

Victor Langley also understood the implied meaning in Elias’s words.

He nodded and smiled, "I understand, although Adrian might lack sharpness, he makes up for it with steadiness and reliability."

The affirmation in his father’s words sent a chill through Jared’s heart.

Was he really going to be abandoned?

Elias Langley seemed quite pleased with Victor’s response, wiped his hands, and took his leave.

Jared felt a palpable crisis looming over him.

Not only had he failed to save his mother, but he was also about to lose his own position.

This can’t happen!

He found a number and dialed it...

In the evening, Juliana returned to the Langley Residence, immediately sensing the unusual atmosphere the moment she stepped through the door.

The living room was brightly lit, with the Langleys rarely gathered together.

And beside Victor Langley in the seat of honor sat a man she had never seen before.

Upon seeing her, Victor Langley immediately called her over.

"Juliana, come meet Jared’s uncle."

Someone from the Sheridan Family!

Juliana immediately understood what was happening.

She calmly walked over.

Victor Langley then introduced her to this seemingly thirty-something man, "This is Jared’s...’fiancée.’"

The man had an expression of understanding, "Understood."

He turned to look at Juliana, his gaze seemingly casual, yet carrying a scrutiny and assessment, as if trying to dissect her thoroughly inside out.

"I’m Mason Sheridan, the youngest brother of the lady upstairs who is confined."

He extended his hand for a gentlemanly handshake with Juliana, though his tone carried a faint, elusive provocation.

"Mr. Sheridan, hello."

Out of courtesy, Juliana reached out for a handshake, intending for it to be brief.

However, just as she was about to withdraw her hand, Mason Sheridan’s fingers suddenly tightened imperceptibly.

An undercurrent forcefully pulled Juliana forward!

Her center of gravity shifted, and amidst the eerie silence of the living room and the cold, piercing stares from the solitary sofa, she fell straight into Mason Sheridan’s embrace, her forehead crashing against his firm chest.