"I shall secure my retribution personally. Julian, there is truly no necessity for you to entangle yourself within this hazardous quagmire alongside me." Chloe understood better than anyone that locking horns with an individual as deeply entrenched as Eric Vance was an exceptionally perilous endeavor.

Julian merely let out a soft chuckle: "You, myself, and Zack practically experienced our upbringing together during our youth. During the absolute bleakest and most challenging chapter of my existence, it was your timely assistance that permitted me to secure the achievements I possess today. I am absolutely not an ungrateful creature who forgets his debts."

Furthermore, while Eric Vance possessed deep roots and immense influence within the city, did it imply that the corporate empire Julian had constructed through years of relentless striving was entirely negligible?

In stark contrast to Eric Vance, Julian had not been birthed into the world as an elite, pampered heir to a dynasty. Every single asset he currently controlled had been carved out through his own calculated maneuvers and tireless labor, rendering his enterprise significantly more stable and resilient than a family-run corporate structure plagued by internal factionalism like the Vance Group.

However, regarding the true extent of Julian’s current influence, Chloe possessed only a superficial understanding. Throughout the half-month since their reunion, she had merely caught fragments of rumors drifting through the social circles.

In the corporate colosseum, prominent figures were typically addressed by their formal executive titles, such as Director This or President That. Even an individual of Eric's stature was merely referred to by the masses as President Vance.

Yet Julian remained the solitary exception; across the entire region, individuals without exception addressed him with immense reverence as Mr. Julian.

Indeed, the title of Mr. Julian was an honorific of the highest order—a universal validation of an individual's absolute character and peerless reputation.

As to the exact degree of absolute loyalty and respect the external world harbored toward Julian, Chloe remained largely unaware; she merely possessed a basic grasp of his standing.

Ever since his ascension to prominence, aside from managing his vast commercial ventures, Julian had dedicated an immense portion of his resources to national philanthropic movements. He was a man characterized by supreme tact and humility, allowing him to navigate both the cutthroat corporate arena and the delicate political landscape with absolute ease.

Perhaps in terms of sheer raw liquidity, Julian’s accumulated wealth could not fully compete with the combined generational prosperity of the Vance family lineage over three iterations. Yet in terms of societal prestige and flawless reputation, even if the Vance lineage persisted for another ten generations, they would remain entirely incapable of matching the stature of a man like Julian.

Chloe offered him a genuine, warm smile. They were, after all, childhood companions who had shared the formative years of their existence; despite his meteoric rise to a position of staggering wealth and power, the historical bond they shared ensured that no sense of awkward estrangement could take root between them due to their disparate social standings.

She reversed her grip, locking her fingers firmly around his hand as she directed a resolute gaze into his eyes: "Julian, regardless of the cost, Zack's life must not be allowed to have been extinguished in vain!"

Julian looked down at her hand, the intensity within his gaze softening into a display of pure gentleness: "Chloe, you need only offer me three words: trust in me."

A simple phrase: trust in me.

Chloe stared into his eyes, the absolute ice blanketing her gaze experiencing a slight thaw: "I trust in you!"

In reality, within this vast, treacherous world, aside from the man standing before her, she possessed absolutely no other living soul she could offer her trust to.

The concept of childhood sweethearts sounded incredibly brief when summarized in text, yet in reality, it represented over a decade of shared history—an expanse of time that frequently encompassed an entire lifetime for many individuals.

Julian’s parents had departed this world during his infancy, forcing him to navigate a rather brutal, independent path toward maturity. Throughout those challenging years, Chloe and her brother had been the closest approximation of a family he had ever known.

Chapter 18: I Can Do Anything for You

Speaking of hardships, Julian started struggling and working in the outside world right after graduating from junior high school, becoming entirely self-taught. He had worked as a waiter and as a bodyguard for a wealthy young lady, and later traveled overseas to learn from a jewelry tycoon. At his most perilous moment, he had nearly lost half his life to earn the position he held today.

Throughout all his bitterest moments, he would always think of calling Chloe to listen to her speak. Hearing her voice would renew his courage to face whatever misery lay before him.

Every single time, Chloe would ask him with deep concern whether he was doing well out there, telling him to come back if he was tired, and offering to lend him money if he had none, expecting absolutely nothing in return.

Later on, the ventures he became involved in grew increasingly dangerous, until he finally lost contact with her five years ago.

The moment he returned after achieving immense wealth and success, his very first priority was to seek her out. Yet he never expected that she would already be married, and Zack would be nowhere to be found.

It was not until recently, during a visit to the hospital, that he crossed paths with her once again.

Reunion was truly the most beautiful word in this world.

"The snow outside is falling beautifully; it's the first snow of the year. Shall we go visit Zack?" Julian turned his head to look at Chloe beside him.

At the mention of Zack, Chloe’s heart trembled slightly, and she nodded at Julian: "Alright."

The cemetery.

This was a place that rarely brought joy to anyone. Even though the grounds were planted with many evergreen trees, the contrast against the white snow at this moment still made one feel a sense of desolation and chill.

After four years, Zack's tombstone was no longer as pristine as it had been back then.

Chloe walked up to the monument cradling a bundle of small daisies, which were Zack's absolute favorite. Julian walked closely by her side.

The two of them came to a halt before the stone tablet. In the photograph attached to the monument, Zack's smile remained just as warm as it was in her memory.

However, someone had already placed a bundle of small daisies right in front of the stone.

"It appears someone has already come to visit Zack today," Julian noted, his tone turning deep and laced with a trace of grief.

Chloe laid her own flowers down, gently brushing her fingers against the freezing stone tablet as the light in her eyes faded significantly. After a brief silence, she spoke softly: "It's that young girl. When Zack passed away, there was a girl he loved very much."

She was well aware that after Zack's demise, that young girl would come here from time to time to visit him, bringing a bundle of small daisies with her every single time.

Throughout these four years, although the two of them had never crossed paths, Chloe knew that the girl must have loved her brother deeply as well.

Hearing this, Julian’s gaze also settled upon Zack's photograph. The youth's features still carried a trace of innocence, yet his smile was like the morning sun in June—exceptionally heartwarming.

This was his very first time visiting Zack's grave, and he couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "The year I departed, he was only sixteen years old. He looked remarkably like you."

Indeed, the brother and sister bore an immense resemblance to one another.

Yet Zack would remain permanently frozen at his most radiant age of eighteen.

Chloe’s eyes turned a sharp red: "Eric Vance personally destroyed the solitary piece of evidence, and he permitted Lyndsey to destroy my unborn child, leaving Zack unable to rest in peace. I will absolutely never forgive him!"

She understood with absolute clarity that if it weren't for Eric Vance, Lyndsey would have paid the price for her heinous actions long ago!

If Lyndsey was the executioner, then in her heart, Eric Vance was undeniably the accomplice!

Julian frowned slightly, reaching out to wrap his arm around her shoulder and gently patting her: "Chloe, do not allow yourself to be consumed by hatred. Hatred is a repulsive, ugly thing that can easily spiral out of control. I know your heart is breaking, but I want you to live a joyful life. Leave the rest to me."

Yearning for warmth is a fundamental human instinct. When stuck in the absolute depths of a bottomless abyss, the individual who can pull you out becomes your ultimate salvation.

Chloe desperately craved this kind of warmth, especially since she and Julian had shared this exact relationship of mutual comfort and reliance since childhood.