Chapter 182

Robert’s Point of View

I pulled my phone from my jacket pocket with a swift, violent motion, dialing Carlos’s number while sparks flew from my eyes. As soon as he picked up, I said in a commanding tone, "Yes, Carlos."

"In the morning you kick me out, and now you’re calling me?" he answered mockingly.

I gripped the phone so hard my knuckles turned white, saying in a low voice carrying a suppressed threat, "Because you refuse to stay away from Julie."

"I won’t stay away, Robert," he challenged without a moment’s hesitation.

I exhaled in frustration, trying to curb my rage. "Carlos, don’t provoke me," I said hoarsely. I paused for a second before continuing seriously, "Are you coming with me now, or do I go alone?"

His tone changed instantly, and he asked with interest, "Where to?"

"To strike back at the Don," I said, my eyes narrowing with lethal cunning.

"What are we doing?" he asked curiously.

"The Don has an assistant he favors greatly, nicknamed ’The Snake’..." I replied, stepping toward the door with firm strides. "We are going to kidnap him."

"I’m in," Carlos replied without hesitation.

"I’m on my way now," I said in a definitive tone, placing my hand on the doorknob.

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Julie’s Point of View

I stood in the middle of the room, the phone still warm in my hand. Was what I was hearing real or just imagination? "Professor... I can’t call you that," I said hesitantly.

"We aren’t at the university now, Julie," he replied in a calm tone. "When you call me ’Professor,’ I feel like we’re still there."

"Yes, we aren’t at the university," I said, trying to hold onto formalities, "but even so, you’ll remain ’The Professor’ to me."

"Really, Julie? You’re going to defy me even in this?" he said with clear annoyance.

I began to feel truly anxious. Is this way of speaking normal? But he’s the Professor; surely I shouldn’t worry about him. I’m just overthinking things. "Fine," I said, surrendering.

"Fine, what?" he asked slyly.

It seemed he was insistent on hearing his name. I swallowed hard, finding great difficulty in pronouncing it, then whispered, "Edward."

"Yes, like that," he said in a relieved tone.

"I have to hang up," I said quickly.

"Alright, Julie. We’ll talk later," he answered.

I cut the connection immediately and began thinking about this new problem. Now I have a phone, and if Robert finds out I own it, what will he do to me? I’ll hide it well so he never knows... yes, that’s the only solution.

I remembered Max and knew I had to go to him to smooth things over. I changed my clothes into a tight athletic set and stood before the mirror, checking my appearance.

I noticed how my body had changed after starting the rigorous training. I turned slowly, looking at my reflection with curiosity. "Did my butt get bigger, or am I imagining it?"

I left the room and went downstairs to Max’s room. As soon as he saw me, his features shifted to anger.

He pulled me inside by my wrist, slammed the door violently, then pinned my hands behind my back and pushed my face against the wall. "Should I kill you now, Julie? Or what should I do with you?" he said sternly.

"I’m sorry, Max, I had to lie," I said in a faint voice.

"First you made me gay, then you found a boyfriend for me Marcus! And what else? You made me cause him to faint because I..." he growled in congestion.

"Enough, Max!" I interrupted with a muffled shout.

"What? Are you embarrassed now?" he said mockingly. "You weren’t embarrassed when you were telling Robert this nonsense!"

"Fine... let me go, Max," I pleaded.

He released my hands. I turned to him, rubbing my wrists, and said regretfully, "I’m truly sorry. I didn’t mean for things to go this far."

"Really? What will you do next?" he replied with biting sarcasm. "Will you make Marcus pregnant with my child?"

I hit his shoulder hard and said, "Stop! Men don’t get pregnant."

"Yes, and men don’t stay with each other, Julie!" he said, crossing his arms.

"Yes, I know, but what could I do? Should I have let you all die?" I said seriously.

"Yes, that would be better," he replied coldly.

I sighed and said, "I’ll tell you something."

"Hmm... what?" he asked.

"Robert took me to take my final exam at the university today," I said.

He gasped in shock, his eyes widening. "What?!"

"Yes, can you imagine?" I replied.

"Then why are you here?" he asked in bewilderment. "Why didn’t you escape?"

"Escape?" I asked, puzzled.

"Yes!" he said, stepping closer to me. "He took you outside! The opportunity was right in front of you!"

"Do you want him to kill me?" I replied fearfully.

He grabbed my shoulders and said with a suspicious seriousness, "Look at me, Julie... are you attracted to Robert?"

I jolted and said flustered, "What nonsense is this, Max? Of course not!"

"I don’t know," he said, narrowing his eyes. "I feel like you’re attracted to him."

"You’re just imagining things..." I said, moving past him. "Follow me to the gym."

I hurried out of his room before I could be exposed. My God, do I really look like I’m attracted to him? I entered the gym, and Max followed me, about to say something, but I cut him off immediately, fearing he’d reopen the Robert topic. "Max, look at me..." I said, checking my body. "Has anything changed in my physique?"

"Hmm... I don’t know," he said coldly.

"Look closely, Max," I insisted. I turned around slowly. "Does my butt look bigger?"

He looked at me in total shock and went silent for a moment. "Julie... you’ve actually started treating me like I’m gay! You told the lie and you believed it!"

"Why do you say that?" I asked, confused.

"Are you seriously asking me that?" he said passionately. "You can’t ask a normal man that question!"

"But you aren’t just any man; you’re my friend, Max," I said simply.

"I don’t know what to say," he said, shaking his head in despair.

"Tell me... has it gotten bigger?" I asked eagerly.

He exhaled in frustration. "I can’t believe you’re asking this, but yes... it has gotten bigger."

I paused for a bit then asked suspiciously, "Wait a minute... how did you know the difference?"

"That’s a trick question, and I’m not answering it!" he replied quickly.

"What’s wrong with you? I’m just asking," I said with a light laugh.

He put on the rubber punch mitts and said sternly, "Julie... come hit these and shut up, because you’re just talking nonsense."

I began landing strikes over and over, and we spent two hours until I had emptied all my energy. I sat on the floor, catching my breath with difficulty, and drank a little water.

Then I looked at Max, who was sitting beside me, and asked him suddenly, "Max... how are you attracted to women? I mean, what does a female do to make you attracted to her?"

"What’s the occasion for this question?" he asked in surprise.

"Just answer me, Max," I said seriously.

"I didn’t understand your question," he said.

"Fine, I’ll explain more..." I said, trying to clarify. "For example, me do I look attractive to you?"

Max stopped breathing for a moment and looked at me in shock. "What?!"

[Shawnnie thank you so much for your support I love you]