Loving DAD 1097

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Chapter 1097 

Carter gave a terse nod. Every second wasted was another second Sharon remained in danger. 

Just as Thomas raised his gun, ready to shoot the lock open, the door suddenly swung inward from the other side. 

Julliard stepped out, his face grim. When he saw the three men standing outside, he froze for half a heartbeat, but his expression showed no surprise. 

“You’re just in time,” he said. “Sharon is taking a cold bath right now. She needs a doctor.” 

Carter’s eyes narrowed. “Julliard, why are you with her?” 

Julliard replied calmly, “Sharon handed Theo over to Thomas to look after, but I was worried about her. I happened to be nearby, so I followed to check on her.” 

Rick gave a faint nod. It made sense–when he’d gone looking for Sharon earlier, Julliard had indeed been present. 

Julliard looked at the group. “Shall we get a doctor first? The rest can wait.” 

Carter studied him for a long moment, his gaze unreadable, then turned sharply to summon a doctor. 1 

As Sharon’s brother, Rick couldn’t possibly leave his sister in the care of two men, no matter how close they were. He entered the room. (19 

Julliard watched them go, and a shadow flickered across his eyes. 

When Thomas had called him earlier, he’d already abandoned his impulse to take Sharon for himself. If Thomas was calling, that could only mean one thing–he suspected him. 

And in such a short time, there was no way to make his plan succeed. 

Sharon’s condition had been bad, but she hadn’t completely lost consciousness. When he helped her into the bathroom, she’d even murmured a faint “thank you.” The drug hadn’t yet reached its full effect–it would have taken a while longer. 

But time was something he no longer had. 

He could have forced himself on her. Yet if he did, his fragile alliance with Carter would shatter, and Sharon would never forgive him. 

To trade so much for a fleeting satisfaction was utterly pointless. 

Julliard had always been a man of patience and restraint. He’d spent years weaving his plans; he could wait a little longer. 

In the grand ballroom, the scandalous photos and videos of Johanna were finally shut down amid the chaos. 

By now, Victoria’s birthday banquet had devolved into a gossip circus. 

Johanna, humiliated beyond endurance, had long since fled upstairs under Victoria’s escort. 

Meanwhile, Victoria remained composed, methodically restoring order. Under her poised command, the uproar gradually 

subsided. 

Though Johanna’s disgrace fueled endless whispers, it didn’t tarnish Victoria’s name. On the contrary, her reputation shone even brighter. 

“The first socialite truly lives up to her name,” someone praised. “Even in the face of scandal, she keeps her poise and turns the tide. Richard, you really have an extraordinary daughter.” 

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Beside Richard stood a man of similar age, exuding cultured grace and quiet authority. 

Richard smiled. “Charles, you flatter me. Your daughter, Ginny, is every bit as remarkable as Victoria.” 

The man beside him was none other than Ginny’s father. He had come tonight for one purpose—to discuss a marriage alliance between their two families. 

Charles Blakely glanced around the room. “By the way, Richard, where’s Rick? The banquet’s been going on for quite a while, but I haven’t seen him at all.” 

Richard frowned. He found that odd as well. 

With such turmoil erupting, Rick should have appeared to take control. Yet there was no sign of him. 

At first, Richard had assumed Rick was giving Victoria the chance to prove herself. But now, with the party nearly over and Rick still absent, something about it felt off. Especially since Rick knew perfectly well that the Blakely family would be here tonight to finalize his engagement to Ginny. (1) 

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