Chapter 578

"Enough, Julian!" Rosalind snapped.

Julian ignored her warning and lunged at Everett again, swinging another punch.

This time, he missed. Everett caught his fist mid-air and shoved him back with brutal force. Julian staggered, losing his footing before crashing onto the pavement.

Rosalind immediately stepped between them, her voice sharp. "Stop this!"

Everett's gaze was icy. "That was payback."

If Everett hadn’t allowed it, Julian wouldn’t have even gotten close. The realization made Rosalind freeze.

"Take him and leave," Everett said dismissively. "I don’t want to see either of you again."

Without another word, he turned to walk away.

"Everett!" Rosalind called after him.

He paused—just for a second—before continuing.

At that moment, Genevieve hurried over, slipping her arm through Everett’s. "What are you doing out here?"

She glanced at Rosalind and Julian, her brow arched. "Do you know them?"

Everett’s lips curved into a cold smirk. "No."

Genevieve beamed. "Good. Let’s go inside. Father was asking for you earlier."

Everett nodded. "Fine."

He walked away with her, leaving Rosalind standing there, stunned.

He was leaving with another woman.

Rosalind’s vision blurred as she watched Everett disappear, her chest aching.

Julian slowly pushed himself up, shaking his head. "See? That’s the man you love. He’s breaking your heart. He’s not worth it."

Rosalind turned to him, her voice quiet but firm. "If he’s not a good person, does that make you one?"

Julian hesitated. "I—"

She didn’t wait for an answer. She turned and walked away.

Julian grabbed her wrist. "It’s late. I’m not letting you wander alone. Get in the car. I’ll take you home."

"I don’t need your help," Rosalind said, trying to pull free.

But Julian didn’t listen. He forced her into his sports car and sped off.

Meanwhile, Everett had turned back. His expression was unreadable as he watched the car vanish into the night.

He had said those things deliberately. From the moment he stepped into that world, he knew there was no future for him and Rosalind.

She was like a rare gem—untouched, pure.

But he wasn’t.

There was no point in starting something doomed to end. He had to push her away.

Genevieve studied him curiously. "You love her, don’t you?"

Everett’s gaze remained distant. "No."

"You’re lying," she pressed. "I can see it in your eyes. You care about her."

Everett moved to leave, but she stopped him.

"Wait," she said. "Since you’re done with her, why not give me a chance? I like you."

Everett barely glanced at her. "Don’t waste your time. I’ll never feel the same."

With that, he walked away.

"Everett!"

Genevieve clenched her fists in frustration. She had fallen for him the moment they met, and she wasn’t giving up.

Back home, Rosalind buried herself under the covers, crying until exhaustion took over.

The memory of Everett’s words carved into her heart.

By morning, she was burning with fever.