However, the truth was that after Celine thanked the audience, she didn't look into the auditorium but turned to look at the other man beside her.

Her gaze was filled entirely with that man, just as she used to look at Julian.

The difference was that this look held more admiration, and the man looked back at her with a gaze filled with appreciation.

The man was young, and his appearance and temperament were not at all inferior to Julian’s, which sparked a surge of deep jealousy in the depths of Julian’s heart.

This feeling was very foreign to him; he had never been jealous of Celine before.

How dared she look at another man in his presence?

Julian immediately messaged his assistant: [I want to know the ins and outs of this man.]

Afterward, he put his phone away, hugged the gift he had prepared in advance, and walked backstage.

Celine was sitting in front of the mirror taking off her makeup.

He slowly walked up behind her and called out: "Celine."

Celine’s hand paused in her makeup removal, and then she turned to look at him.

Those eyes, which used to be filled with longing the moment they saw him, were now like a waveless lake, devoid of the slightest tremor, as if she were looking at a stranger who had suddenly barged in.

There was no reaction as he had expected—not a single one.

Julian was shocked, his expression nearly slipping.

"I’ve been looking for you for a long time; I didn't expect you to be here." He regained his smile and handed over the gift he held. "Celine, your performance just now was brilliant. Congratulations."

"Why are you looking for me?" Celine withdrew her gaze coldly, ignoring the gift he offered.

"Celine, come home with me." Julian’s voice was tight.

"Home?" Celine looked at him as if he were a monster. "Mr. Sterling, are you confused? We are already divorced; kidnapping a stranger and taking them home is against the law."

Hearing her mocking tone, Julian regretted signing the divorce agreement more than anything.

"All of this was Sienna’s fault. Celine, I have investigated thoroughly—the child wasn't harmed by poison from you. She brought it upon herself, and I have already punished her."

"And then? What does that have to do with me?" Celine was unmoved. Having finished removing her makeup, she stood up to pack her bag and leave.

Seeing her walk away, Julian stepped forward to grab her, his tone as overbearing as ever: "You are not allowed to leave. You are my wife."

He was strong, and Celine couldn't pull her hand free. She stomped her high heel onto his leather shoe.

Julian let go in pain, staring at her in disbelief.

In the past, he would have felt heartache if he had just bumped himself, but now she stomped on him without hesitation.

At that moment, Adrian Silas pushed open the door and entered, walking straight toward Celine: "Celine, are you ready? The car to pick us up is already outside."

Celine affectionately reached out to take his arm: "I'm ready, let’s go."

The two walked out hand in hand.

Their attitude, completely ignoring him, enraged Julian. He called out to Celine in a fury.

"Celine, you’re letting these low-life men near you just to spite me? Is it worth it?"

The two stopped, and Adrian turned his head, though his eyes were fixed on Celine: "Celine, who is this gentleman?"

"An unimportant person from my past." Celine said coldly.

"I see." Adrian nodded as if he understood.

Julian’s jaw tightened: "What do you mean, 'you see'?"

"I see why he has become a person of the past," Adrian smiled, then looked at Celine with indulgence. "Celine, don't associate with people with such filthy mouths from now on."

Chapter 16

The two said their piece and walked away, completely on their own.

Julian stood rooted to the spot, temper flared, and he threw the gift he held to the ground. His face seemed to be covered in a layer of ice.

Celine must still be angry with him. He had done many excessive things before; it was normal that she wouldn't be coaxed back so easily.

She loved him so much—how could she forget just because she said she would?

Thinking of this, Julian smoothed his brows again. He didn't plan on returning to the country just like that. The only thing he could do now was wait—wait for Celine to cool off and reconcile with him.

He called his assistant: "Send me the residential address where Celine is living in the UK; I want to buy a house near her."

"Mr. Sterling," the assistant hesitated, "the company’s business has piled up like a mountain. The Master and Madam want you back immediately."

"I will go back, and I will bring Celine back with me." Julian hung up the phone after saying this.

As long as Celine didn't go home with him, he wouldn't leave. Not only would he bring her back, but he would protect her for the rest of his life—even his own parents would not be able to point fingers at her.

Julian soon moved into the house next door to Celine’s as he wished. On the day of the move, he brought flowers specifically to pay a visit, hoping she would show a smile when she saw him.

Unexpectedly, Celine merely stopped him at the door, saying coldly: "Mr. Sterling, are you unaware that I am allergic to pollen?"

The smile on Julian’s face froze for half a second. The blood rushed to his face before receding, and he hurriedly moved the flowers away.

"I’m sorry. I forgot."

Celine snorted from her nose, finding him utterly ridiculous.

He didn't forget; he had never remembered in the first place because he had never given her flowers.

Celine shut the door with a "bang," leaving a bewildered Julian behind.

He had never been this humiliated. Born into wealth and exceptionally handsome, women had always thrown themselves at him. No one had ever refused flowers he had gifted.

Celine’s rejection felt like his dignity was being ground into the dirt.

At the same time, he felt immense regret that in three years of marriage, he hadn't known her any better.

It was always her understanding him, her taking the initiative to approach him.

Yet he had taken everything for granted.

Julian took his remorse to heart and said to the person inside the door:

"Celine, I know I neglected you before. I didn't know your interests, what you liked to eat, what colors you liked to wear, what books you liked to read. I knew nothing. I was an incompetent husband, and you have every right to be disappointed in me."

"You might wonder why I suddenly came to find you. Truth be told, it wasn't until you left me that I realized I had long ago grown accustomed to your presence. I think I have fallen in love with you."

"I, Julian Sterling, keep my word. I will definitely get to know you from now on, and from now on, I will only love you. So, can you give me this chance?"

He waited for a long time after finishing, but there was no reply from the person inside. Still, he knew Celine had heard.

"During this period, I will stay here, waiting for your reply."

After saying this, he turned and left.

On the other side of the door, Celine was not moved in the slightest by his "prodigal son returning" speech; instead, she couldn't help but laugh to herself.

In the years that had passed, she had given him countless chances.

She loved the piano and hinted that she wanted a piano room in the house, but he said he liked peace and quiet and found it too noisy, insisting that to be Mrs. Sterling, she had to abide by his rules.

She was allergic to pollen but loved fragrance, so she sprayed on high-end perfume, but he called the scent vulgar, saying it made him want to vomit.

Yet later, when Sienna watched videos at home and let out ear-piercing laughter, he didn't find it noisy; when Sienna wore cheap perfume, he didn't find it unpleasant.

And now he said he wanted to get to know her? Was his "understanding" some noble, valuable thing?

Celine was living very well now, rediscovering her own hobbies and meeting Adrian Silas—the man who truly respected and cared for her.

She didn't want to see Julian again; she only hoped he would leave early and disappear from her world forever.

Chapter 17

As Celine had expected, Julian did not leave. He had always been someone who would not stop until he achieved his goals.

He hovered outside her house every day, not actively bothering her, only coming forward when he saw Adrian arriving.

He had already investigated clearly—Adrian’s family was powerful in the UK, and his own resume was excellent; he was a genius pianist, and it just so happened that Celine loved the piano.