Chapter 10 Bootlicker

• Cary immediately appeared deferential when he saw Julien. He bowed and even addressed him as Uncle Julien.
• Julien merely stared at him in disdain and uttered, “Uncle? Do I know you?”
• He then turned his attention to me and demanded, “Who is he? Do you know him?”
• Shaking my head, I replied, “I don't know who he is. He came out of nowhere and began harassing me.”
• Thoroughly put in his place, Cary remained silent as he pasted a bootlicking smile on his face. I had never pegged him for such a spineless, brownnosing person despite being married to him for over a year. I must have been blind.
• Julien gave me one of his piercing stares and said, “If you don't know him, ignore him. You should be mingling with your colleagues so you can build rapport with them as soon as possible. On that note, Ms. Mackenzie, may I have the honor of this dance?”
• With that, he chivalrously extended an arm toward me to invite me onto the dance floor.
• I gave Cary the side-eye as I accepted Julien's invitation. The smile on his face remained impressively in place despite his greenish pallor.
• “Thank you for your kind invitation, Mr. Starck. I would be honored.” I placed my hand in Julien's outstretched palm before leaning into him.
• Julien was my only chance at crushing Cary to pieces. I vowed to myself that I would try my best to gain Julien's backing and give Cary the downfall he deserved.
• Julien's large palm closed around mine, our fingers interlocking tightly. He led me toward the dance floor, and when I chanced a glance behind me, I saw Cary staring at us with his jaw dropped, that bootlicking smile wiped off his face.
• Ignorant of Cary's disbelief, Julien placed his arm around my waist and led me in a slow dance.
• I mustered the courage to look at his face. He was so good-looking that it hurt to stare at him sometimes. His gaze held depths that were impossible to decipher.
• As if sensing my stare, Julien dipped his head lower to meet my gaze. I chickened out when our eyes met, and I quickly shifted my gaze away. That unfamiliar feeling blossomed in my chest once more.
• Meanwhile, Cary had gotten over his shock and was hovering on the edge of the dance floor. I gave him a taunting stare as I leaned my head on Julien's chest, silently rejoicing when I saw Cary's expression sour even more.
• The last time I slow danced was in university, and I had become rusty after spending years off the dance floor.
• I clumsily stepped on Julien's foot several times, though he did not utter a single complaint. As we danced around the ballroom, something akin to happiness began to bloom in my soul.
• The song ended, and he suddenly leaned into me and whispered, “Don't become addicted to me.”
• Reality came splashing down like a bucket of cold water. My heart twisted in pain as tears threatened to prick my eyes. I had no idea why everything seemed to make me cry these days.
• I lowered my head in silence, unsure how to respond.
• Disappointment flooded my soul.
• Just then, several gorgeous women came sauntering over to us. “Mr. Starck, you haven't danced with me yet. I'm afraid I'll be tossing and turning all night if you don't grant me this dance.”
• One of them practically plastered herself to him.
• Julien did not even spare me a glance as he allowed the woman to lead him away.
• I stood alone at the edge of the dance floor, watching Julien dance and mingle with women glamorous enough to grace magazine covers. My heart filled with an inexplicable sense of sorrow.
• Julien left the dance floor a short while later and answered a call. After that, he left without saying a single word to anyone else.
• My mood worsened further after his departure, and I prepared to leave. Alas, Cary felt the need to butt in.
• “What's wrong? Got dumped? You look like a sad, abandoned puppy. Did you think you were Cinderella and that Julien was your Prince Charming? Hmph, how could he ever fall for someone like you?”
• Cary had probably witnessed my crestfallen expression earlier and came to sprinkle salt on my wounds.