It wasn't until a new secretary, unaware of the situation, mentioned the name while coordinating a contract.

"Mr. Julian, our Canadian partner, CEO Lydia, has moved today’s meeting to tomorrow afternoon."

Chapter 21

As soon as she spoke, the conference room went so silent that you could hear a pin drop. The secretary’s face paled as she realized she had said something wrong. She didn't know which part was wrong, and everyone else waited to see how the boss would deal with her. After all, everyone knew about the "taboo" for years, but no one had ever tested whether the rumors were true.

Just as everyone was lost in thought, the man at the head of the table finally spoke.

"Understood. Tell them there is no time tomorrow, and no time the day after. Meeting adjourned."

Julian’s voice was as calm as ever, and he didn't fire the secretary as everyone expected. This disappointed those hoping for drama; it seemed the rumors were false. After this, no one even felt like discussing it anymore.

But they didn't see their boss’s eyelashes trembling or his hand suddenly stop tapping his pen when that name was mentioned. Nor did anyone see his eyes turn red the moment he returned to his office, or how he touched the necklace around his neck until the engravings were worn smooth.

Another three years passed. For those three years, everyone avoided that name. He followed suit, deceiving himself and pretending he had long forgotten. But the moment someone broke the rule, his longing surged into his heart like a spring. He realized that in those three years, he had never forgotten.

That name hadn't appeared in three years, not even as a namesake. This time, it happened to pop up the day before his wedding anniversary. Julian could only consider it her bad luck; she had the wrong name and chose the wrong time. After his lunch break, he picked up the intercom and called the secretary.

"Tell the CEO from Canada that the cooperation is canceled. We don't need people who aren't punctual."

The secretary let out a small gasp, sounding troubled.

"But Mr. Julian, CEO Lydia has already arrived. After I told her you were unavailable tomorrow or the day after, she said we should stick to the original plan. She’s already in the lounge."

Julian frowned; he didn't like people who were indecisive. But since she was here, he would meet her out of politeness. However, he had already decided in his heart that he would not cooperate.

A moment later, there was a knock on the office door. Julian didn't even look up, saying in a deep voice, "Come in."

The secretary pushed the door open. "Mr. Julian, this is CEO Lydia from Canada."

After bringing her in, the secretary left. Hearing the door close, Julian casually glanced up. "Have a seat."

But midway through the word, his eyes snapped wide.

Lydia showed no sign of discomfort, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and nodding. "Mr. Julian."

Julian failed to respond for a long time, staring blankly at the person before him. The pen in his hand dropped, and he stood up slowly.

"Lydia?"

He didn't dare blink or even breathe deeply, fearing that a single movement would make the person vanish. In many midnights over the years, he had dreamed that Lydia hadn't died, that they were as loving as ever and had their own child. But every time he woke up, he was met with a cold room and an empty bed. He had experienced that sense of loss too many times; eventually, even in dreams, he didn't dare approach her.

Just like today, even though his heart was racing, he didn't move an inch. The person before him also didn't respond for a long time, simply looking at him with a professional smile. Julian’s legs wobbled, but he pushed his chair back and walked toward her. Regardless of whether it was a dream, just seeing her was enough.

Standing before her, he carefully reached out to grab her shoulder, but she dodged him. With a professional smile, Lydia extended her hand. "Hello, Mr. Julian. I am Lydia, the project manager of our company."

It took Julian a long time to reach out and take her hand, and once he did, he refused to let go. Because the moment he touched her, his heart seemed to break open.

This wasn't a dream.

Not only was it not a dream, but the person before him had the same face, the same voice, and even the same familiar touch. But Julian clearly remembered that three years ago, the police confirmed his Lydia had passed away. Then who was the person in front of him?

Before he could figure it out, she pulled her hand away. Julian’s initial heat turned to suspicion and even disgust. If this was some commercial tactic from another company—thinking they could get his investment through plastic surgery—he wouldn't let them off easily.

But the moment he sat down, he clearly saw a mole on her ring finger. At that moment, the blood in Julian's body seemed to run backward. Unable to suppress the tremors in his heart, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Lydia."

Chapter 22

Lydia pushed him away forcefully. "Mr. Julian, you must have the wrong person. Please show some respect."

But Julian’s eyes were red as he insisted, "You are my Lydia. It’s so good that you’re not dead. Where have you been these past three years?"

His voice was thick with sobs, as if he had endless things to say.

"Tell me, was the explosion back then because someone threatened you again? Don't worry, no one can hurt you anymore. In all of North Capital, no one can stand against me now."

As he spoke, Julian’s tears began to fall.

He tried to pull her into his arms again without another word, but Lydia suddenly stood up.

"Mr. Julian, if you don't want to discuss the contract, I’ll be leaving. My husband is waiting for me downstairs."

With those words, she gathered the contract and turned to leave, but he grabbed her tightly.

"Husband? Lydia, you’re lying to me... aren't you?"

Julian’s voice was strained, his eyes full of disbelief.

"I already know the truth about what happened back then. I’ve sent Sienna away, and those people from the Scarlet Club have been brought to justice. Don't be afraid; no one will ever stand in the way of our love again."

He spoke softly, his words filled with humble pleading.

Lydia found it laughable. She looked up at him. "And what about you?"

After leaving last time, she had intended never to return.

But after meeting someone, she understood that when you are hurt, you must strike back; running away is useless.

That was why she didn't refuse this trip back home—she came to reclaim everything she had lost and settle the scores for the pain she suffered.

Julian froze for a second at her question, then turned without hesitation and pulled open a drawer.

With a sharp stab, a pointed knife instantly plunged into his arm.

Julian’s face and lips turned white, and fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.

Yet he gritted his teeth and ruthlessly stabbed himself a second time.

Blood gushed from his arm, but he was smiling.

"I can pay you back, Lydia. I can give you anything you want, even my life."

"But I don't want it."

When she left, she thought of never meeting again. When she returned, she thought of claiming back all her grievances.

But when she was actually facing the person and the situation, there was only indifference in Lydia's heart.

She no longer loved Julian, and she didn't even have any hate left.

Therefore, no matter what he did, she felt neither pain nor satisfaction—only that he was a nuisance and an eyesore.

Julian’s entire body began to tremble at her words, as if he had heard the most terrifying thing imaginable.

With his blood-drenched arm hanging limply, he fell to his knees with a thud.

He grabbed Lydia’s hand and pressed it against his cheek, nuzzling against her like a dog.

"Lydia, I beg of you, don't say such things. Don't leave me..."

His tears were as scalding as ever, but they could no longer warm Lydia's heart.

Only after leaving him did she realize how foolish it was to give up her career just to follow him back to North Capital.

She had graduated from a prestigious business school just like Julian.

During the three years she was driven away by his mother, she had worked and studied abroad, yet her career had seen no progress.

Later, after returning to the country, she gave up her career again to return to the family, only to end up with such a result.

So, after leaving last time, she focused entirely on her career.

Only then did she realize she had wasted far too much on Julian.