Chapter 418
Lilly snorts like that’s the funniest thing she’s ever heard.
“I’m serious,” Juliette continues before her attention shifts back to me. “Especially after the advice she gave me in Paris. Which reminds me,” she says, narrowing her eyes slightly, “I’m very disappointed you never used the card I gave you p>
My brows furrow slightly as realization hits me… The card with her contacts.
I actually lost it somewhere along the way, though with everything that happened after Paris, making friends or reaching out to anyone hadn’t exactly been high on my priority list.
Before I can explain that, Lilly cuts in again.
“If you cared so much, where were you when she got pushed down the stairs and her baby was kidnapped?” she asks, sharply.
Juliette’s expression doesn’t change.
“I was out of the country, and by the time I got back and learned what happened, you had already moved her out of the country,” she answers calmly.
Lilly still looks unconvinced.
“I’m having a really hard time believing anything coming out of your mouth right now p>
Juliette shrugs elegantly. “That sounds like a personal problem because, again, I’m here for Sierra. Not you p>
“Oh please,” Lilly mutters. “I know this is about Noah p>
Juliette gasps dramatically, placing a hand against her chest. “That is deeply offensive. Noah and I barely tolerate each other p>
“That’s because you flirt with him every chance you get p>
“That was before a really wise woman told me to choose myself and stop chasing after one man when I can have any guy I want,” Juliette fires back instantly.
Did I actually tell her that? I try to remember the conversation but it’s all blurry.
Lilly opens her mouth again, clearly ready to escalate things further, but at that point I’ve had enough.
“Will both of you just shut up?” I snap louder than intended.
Both of them turn toward me, looking equally surprised, with Juliette recovering first.
A slow smile spreads across her face before she turns to Lilly sweetly. “Can you be a darling and get me a drink p>
That tips the scale and Lilly looks seconds away from committing murder.
“Oh you little p>
She lunges forward like she actually might slap her, and I quickly stand to stop her.
“Lilly p>
In the process, my tablet slips from my lap and lands on the couch. Juliett moves before either of us can grab it. She rounds the couch smoothly, picks it up, and drops into a seat while glancing at the screen.
“What’s this?” she asks.
I let out a breath while pulling Lilly back before answering. “Just something I’ve been working on p>
Juliette goes quiet as her eyes scan the proposal carefully, her expression shifting from amusement to concentration, and for the first time since she walked in, she looks fully serious.
Lilly and I exchange a look and a few moments later, Juliett lifts her gaze back to me.
“I’m in p>
Lilly nearly chokes. “You can’t just say that p>
Juliette blinks at her. “Why not p>
“Because—because…” Lilly stammers before stopping when no actual reason comes out.
I stare at Juliett in confusion. “You haven’t even seen the full proposal p>
“I’ve seen enough, and it looks really promising,” she replies easily.
She places the tablet carefully on the table before leaning back.
“Besides, I did my own research on you after Paris. I know you’re really good at what you do. One of the best in the country,” she continues.
Lilly scoffs. “Do you even know what you’re agreeing to p>
Juliette slowly turns toward her. “Did you think I was some spoiled heiress who only knows how to spend mommy and daddy’s money p>
The question catches Lilly off guard enough to silence her.
Juliette continues calmly, “I’m an only child. Which means when my parents step down, everything falls on me. Of course I’ve been trained to run the company… What exactly do you think I travel for? Leisure p>
For a second, I catch the look of approval that flashes across Lilly’s face, but it’s gone in the blink of an eye.
Juliette turns back toward me.
“When you finish the full proposal, send it to me,” she says. “Then we’ll move forward from there p>
I blink at her. “You’re serious p>
“One hundred percent… I love money, so anywhere I can get more of it, that’s where I’ll be p>
At least they have one thing in common with Lilly. Actually, I think they have so much more in common, but they’re both too stubborn to see anything.
She stands smoothly afterward, adjusting her blazer. “Now that I’ve confirmed you’re alive and not bleeding out somewhere, I should go p>
Despite myself, I laugh softly. She smiles at me then, and this time it feels more genuine than teasing.
“It’s good seeing you again, Sierra, and I hope this time I’ll actually hear from you,” she says.
“I’ll try not to lose your card this time,” I reply honestly.
“That would be appreciated p>
She gives Lilly one final amused look before heading toward the elevator. We both watch her step inside, and moments later the doors slide shut.
Silence lingers for a second before Lilly turns toward me slowly.
“Well,” she says, sounding genuinely stunned, “that was unexpected p>
“Yeah,” I murmur, still staring at the closed elevator doors.
But as I sit there thinking about everything that’s happened over the past few days, about the chaos and revelations and opportunities suddenly falling into place one after another, I can’t help feeling like maybe… just maybe… things are finally starting to align in my life.