Discovering Love at the End of Hate

His cold words hammered into me, shattering my heart.

I lifted my head to meet his deep, unreadable gaze.

There was no sympathy, no guilt.

'That's right, how could I have forgotten.'

'In his eyes, I'm just a woman who would do anything for money.'

The first time Mr. Monroe's company faced a crisis, Julian and I were together. Everyone said I was only after the power and status of The Lockwood Family.

Now that my family is bankrupt, asking him for money has only cemented my reputation as a gold digger.

'I didn't care what the world thought, as long as Julian understood me.'

'But Julian didn't believe me, either.'

'And that wasn't the only reason he disliked me.'

I suppressed the sob rising in my throat and forced a smile. "That's right, I'm desperate for money. What did you expect? Did President Lockwood think I came here for the experience?"

"Or has President Lockwood's great memory failed him? Have you already forgotten that I begged you for a loan to keep the company afloat?"

My words struck a nerve.

Julian's brow furrowed, a sneer twisting his lips:

"Zella Monroe, you think I'd believe you? Why would Mr. Monroe's company suddenly go bankrupt? Cut the sob story. Don't embarrass yourself here!"

His words were sharper than any blade.

I let out a cold laugh. "I'm selling my mother's heirloom to save Mr. Monroe's life. How is that embarrassing? Is it more honorable to be like you, using $500,000 to win over another woman?!"

His face instantly turned livid.

Bianca White, who was standing nearby, quickly rushed over. She grabbed his arm and tried to placate him. "Julian, don't be angry. Zella must be joking with you."

She turned to me, her voice feigning understanding. "But Zella, even if you are in a tight spot, you shouldn't joke about your father's company like that. Julian will take it seriously. You can just tell him what you want. You two are a couple, after all."

I looked into her seemingly innocent eyes, finding the situation deeply ironic.

'She knows I'm Julian Lockwood's girlfriend, yet she still clings to him without any sense of boundaries.'

'And Julian, acting as if he can't see her true intentions, has never once pushed her away.'

I stared at her coldly. "I did tell him. But this President Lockwood next to you doesn't seem to be listening."

Bianca's face went pale. She bit her lower lip, looking hurt, her eyes instantly welling with tears.

Julian immediately pulled her behind him, his eyes on me turning even icier:

"Zella Monroe, I can't believe you've become like this—so sharp-tongued and unreasonable! Bianca was just concerned about you. Why does every word out of your mouth have to be so barbed?"

"Like what?"

The grief and anger swirling inside me threatened to burst from my chest.

"I've been pushed to a dead end, forced to sell my mother's only heirloom, while my boyfriend is over here cooing with another woman! Don't I even have the right to question it? In your heart, that Bianca White is a pure, innocent saint, and I'm just a shrew who only causes you trouble, is that right?!"

"You're being completely irrational!" Julian was thoroughly enraged by my words.

Just then, the auctioneer on stage began to call out the bid:

"$300,000 going once, $300,000 going twice... Are there any other bids from our distinguished guests? If not..."

"I bid $350,000!" a voice suddenly rang out.

I followed the sound of the voice and saw it was Mr. Shaw from Westwood, a notoriously sleazy nouveau riche.

He was raking me over with a blatant, lecherous gaze.

Julian's expression darkened even further.

'I knew it wasn't the jewelry Mr. Shaw was after, but me.'

'If I accepted his money, it would be the same as accepting him.'

'And the last shred of hesitation in my heart vanished when I saw the look exchanged between Julian and Mr. Shaw.'

'I understood in an instant.'

'This was Julian's way of humiliating me.'

'He wanted to see me at my lowest, to see me in agony.'

The auctioneer called out excitedly, "$350,000! Mr. Shaw bids $350,000! Is there a higher offer?"

I straightened my spine and said to the auctioneer, "Sold!"

Then, I turned to Julian Lockwood and said, word by word, "Julian Lockwood, from this moment on, we're over."

Before he could react, I turned and walked away.

From behind me came Julian's furious roar.

"Zella Monroe, you dare!"