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?

marriage would be one-sided, all sacrifice on her end and indifference on Jules’ part. But

the hardest men had their

Rachel, in time, might reach

lingered on Jules’ hand, now swollen and pink from the burn. A pang of guilt twisted her stomach. “This is all my fault…” she murmured, biting

dismissive. “We should get

𝒆𝓷𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓬𝓴 𝒄𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝓱𝒆𝓻𝑒: 𝗀𝒶𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝓈.𝒸𝑜𝓂

changed into a fresh outfit. She spotted Jules seated

ointment,” she said gently. “Wait for me in the room. I will check on my

rose to his feet. “I

flicker of anxiety crossed her expression before she could stop it. She forced

believe they will see you?” His voice

Rachel froze.

she had no illusions—her grandparents had not forgiven

silent, Jules continued, “Did you think I wouldn’t find

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