Hearing the commotion, Brooke quickly ran in.

"Ellie, what's wrong? Let's talk nicely. Did Julian say something out of line? I'll apologize for him."

I laughed, asking Brooke, "By what right do you apologize for him?"

"For ordering me to go downstairs and get you coffee?"

"I'm very busy. And besides, I'm not your personal assistant, am I?"

"I heard you have an important audition this afternoon? And you're here at the company to mark your territory?"

Honestly, I'd always tried to avoid confronting Brooke directly.

Julian and my relationship issues were between us. Getting another woman involved seemed unnecessary.

But she kept relentlessly trying to make her presence known, practically dancing right in front of me. Did she think I was a doormat?

Brooke hadn't expected me to call her out so directly. She froze, then pulled Julian's arm, telling me with a feigned innocent expression that I'd misunderstood.

I thought Julian would at least push Brooke away, but he didn't. He didn't even utter a sound.

I frowned, looking at him: "Could you two please leave my office? Seeing you makes me feel a little sick."

Brooke's face changed, and she forced a stiff smile.

Julian's expression was cold as he stared at me, then spoke flatly: "Eleanor Vance, don't be ridiculous. Apologize to Brooke."

I opened my mouth, but before a sound could come out, tears welled up uncontrollably.

How humiliating. Eleanor Vance, you were doing so well before! Why can't you hold it in now?

Julian seemed taken aback. He took a few steps towards me, as if to wipe away my tears.

But Brooke's hand, still clutching his, stopped him.

I choked back a sob and cursed him: "How long are you going to keep making me sick? Are you leaving or not?"

In my agitated state, I felt the incision in my abdomen throb even more violently.

It felt like someone was repeatedly stabbing a knife in and out.

My trembling hand found the painkillers on the table. I swallowed them with the cool water at hand.

Julian suddenly pulled Brooke's hand away, snatched the pill bottle from me, and looked at it with a dark expression.

"Painkillers? Where does it hurt?" he demanded.

I turned pale and shuffled back to my chair, sitting down.

"It's none of your business. Please take your sweetheart and get out of my office!"

He grabbed my shoulder, his eyes terrifying.

"What's wrong with you? If you're not feeling well, you should be resting at home! The company can't function without you, can it?"

"You're going home now. Don't make me carry you out."

Carry me out? At the office? That was laughable!

All these years, he'd gone to extreme lengths to keep his distance from me. Why would he suddenly break his own rules now?

I pried his hand off me, speaking each word distinctly: "Don't. Touch. Me!"

The words had barely left my lips when my body floated. Julian had actually scooped me up and was walking towards the door.

The moment he stepped out of the office, we ran into colleagues returning from lunch.

My heart seized. I struggled, hitting Julian hard, urging him to put me down.

He turned his head and snarled at me: "Stay still!"