The Jilted Heiress' Return To The High Life

Chapter 1688:

The instant the coffee cup toppled, Jules sprang into action. He thrust his arm forward, shielding Rachel from the steaming liquid before it could reach her.

“Are you okay?” they asked simultaneously, their voices overlapping. While Jules remained composed, Rachel’s face had gone rigid with alarm.

Her eyes darted to his hand—already flushed an angry red—while he calmly pinched the edge of her soaked dress, lifting it slightly to inspect the damage. “Do you want to change into something dry first?” he asked, his voice even.

Just a few feet away, Franco watched the exchange with subtle curiosity flickering in his gaze.

He had been skeptical ever since Rachel announced she would marry Jules. Skeptical enough to dig deep into the man’s past.

The findings were impressive. Enlisted at eighteen. Promoted to lieutenant by twenty. At twenty-four, he wore the rank of colonel—the youngest in his class. A military prodigy.

He had been a sniper with perfect aim. The kind of marksman who left behind legends in his wake, his records untouched even years later. After retiring, he had wasted no time. Within a year, he built Blue Core Technology from the ground up, and within two, he had carved out a domain in the tech industry that no one dared challenge.

Men like that did not flinch at blood or death. How could they possibly hold affection in high regard?

on her end and indifference on Jules’ part. But now, watching him gently tend to her, Franco began

men had

Rachel, in time, might reach

A pang of guilt twisted her stomach. “This is all my fault…” she murmured, biting her lower

dismissive. “We should get

𝒆𝓷𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓬𝓴 𝒄𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝓱𝒆𝓻𝑒: 𝗀𝒶𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝓈.𝒸𝑜𝓂

fresh outfit. She spotted Jules seated on the sofa, his posture

to bring burn ointment,” she said gently. “Wait for me in the room. I

to his feet. “I will

stop it. She forced a smile, trying to wave him off. “No

believe they will see you?” His

Rachel froze.

no illusions—her grandparents had not forgiven her. Why would they see

I wouldn’t find out how this

up at him, stunned. Her face lost its color, and panic clouded her