No Escape from Love

I scoffed. What was wrong with Elena?

"Julian is nothing more than a debtor to me now."

Elena sneered, "Stop pretending. He's from the Blake family, and they're on a level you'll never reach in your lifetime. You can have it all by marrying Julian. How could you possibly let him slip away so easily?"

"Do you think everyone has to like what you like? Julian may be a treasure to you, but to me, he's just an ex who owes me money," I stood up and said.

Elena, who had been so smug, suddenly shifted to a pitiful act. "Elena, don't talk about Julian like that."

I didn't bother arguing with her and turned to leave. But to my surprise, Julian was standing behind me.

So, that was why Elena switched from being manipulative to playing the victim.

I turned to face her.

Julian said through gritted teeth, "Serena, I thought you were just annoying, but now, you're spreading rumors about me?"

"Spreading rumors?" I corrected him, saying, "I'm simply stating the facts."

"You..." Julian was seething with anger.

"Isn't it true?" I pressed. "Why else are you here? To pay me back?"

"Serena!" Julian practically spat out my name.

"Serena, how could you? You two were a couple once," Elena interrupted, her voice laced with cunning.noveldrama

"How much does Julian owe you? I'll pay it off. Just promise you won't bother him anymore."

"Alright," I said, pulling out my payment code without hesitation. "He owes me 150 thousand dollars."

"What? He owes you 150 thousand dollars?" Elena was clearly taken aback.

"Yes," I said, holding the payment

code out to her. "Last time, someone else offered to pay for Julian, but I still left empty-handed. I hope you won't let me down this time."

Elena visibly winced at the thought of losing that much money, but she forced a smile for Julian.

"Elena, you can't pay this back for me," Julian interrupted, stepping in to stop her. "This is between me and Serena. You don't have to take care of it for me."

I thought I wouldn't be getting my money back, but Julian's

intervention only made Elena more determined. "Julian, I don't want you to be constantly hounded by Serena over a mere 150 thousand dollars."

As soon as the payment notification came through, my mood lifted significantly. Elena's eyes practically sparkled as she looked at Julian.

"Elena, I'll pay you back later," Julian said, clearly touched.

Elena blushed and smiled. "Julian, what's the point of talking about paying me back? As long as you're fine and Serena stops bothering you, that's all that matters to me."

I didn't want to be a third wheel, so I turned to leave, but Elena decided to stir up some drama and stopped me.

Julian's hero complex was in full force. "Serena, why are you bullying Elena?"

I frowned and looked at him. "Bullying her? Are you even listening to yourself?"

"Isn't that what's going on? I heard it with my own ears when I came in."

Elena's eyes sparkled with

sweetness and triumph. She stepped forward, feigning a conciliatory tone. "Julian, don't worry. I was just trying to get you and Serena to make up."