Chapter 115 Triumphant Return
"His voice was full of pain and sadness.
He gently stroked Joyce's head, careful but loving.
This side of Sebastian confused Joyce. She preferred his old domineering self; at least then she could push him away easily.
Now, he seemed so fragile, like he might break with a touch.
Joyce forced a smile but kept her tone cold. ""Mr. Winters, no need for the grand gesture. You paid well, so winning was my job.""
She ignored Sebastian's request entirely.
She gave him a formal pat on the back, trying to comfort him with a smile.
This version of Joyce made Sebastian uneasy.
Their bond now felt strictly professional.
Sebastian's eyes were filled with pain.
He stared at Joyce, hoping to see some affection in her eyes.
But all he saw was a composed smile.
His throat tightened, and he asked hoarsely, ""Joyce, do you really not want me anymore?""
Joyce's eyelashes fluttered, and she smiled faintly. ""Mr. Winters, I took the breakup fee. We shouldn't be involved anymore, right?""
She pointed to Dominic beside her. ""Dominic brought you clothes. Go change; you have a press interview later.""
Sebastian felt utterly powerless.
The woman he loved was right there, but he couldn't do anything.
He clenched his fist. ""Wait for me. You need to attend the press conference.""
Half an hour later, Sebastian faced reporters.
He gave all the credit to Joyce.
Because of this case, Joyce stunned the legal world again.
After a month of decline, she made a triumphant return.
As the interview wrapped up, a reporter asked, ""Mr. Winters, you mentioned pursuing a girl. Is it Ms. Blackwood?""
Sebastian looked at Joyce with affection. ""Can I skip that? If I say too much and upset her, it'll be harder to win her over.""
He didn't name Joyce, but his gaze made it clear.
Anyone could see who he meant.
Joyce kept a professional smile and didn't explain.
Explaining would be admitting.
When it was over, Sebastian grabbed Joyce's wrist, emotional. ""Ms. Blackwood, we won. Can I treat you to a meal?""
He thought she wouldn't refuse.
But Joyce's calm voice cut in.
""Sorry, Mr. Winters, I have plans. Maybe next time.""
She walked towards a black sedan.
A tall, handsome man, Julian, got out.
Sebastian bit his lip in anger.
He turned to Dominic. ""Why is Julian here?""
Dominic replied, ""Mr. Winters, Mr. Knight's grandparents are in Country F. They helped with Ms. Blackwood's case. Looks like they're meeting the parents.""
Meeting the parents?
Sebastian's brow twitched.
Hadn't Joyce already met Julian's parents?
And now his grandparents too?
Thinking of his own grandmother's eagerness for a granddaughter-in-law, Sebastian felt a bad premonition.
He strode towards the car. ""Let's follow them.""
Dominic was surprised. ""Mr. Winters, are we stalking them? Isn't that inappropriate?""
Sebastian glared at him. ""What else? Should I just watch her marry someone else?""
Dominic saw Sebastian's anxious look and couldn't help but think, 'Isn't this all your fault?'
They followed Julian's car to a fancy restaurant.
Julian opened the car door for Joyce with a warm smile. ""Joyce, my grandparents want to meet you. They've been waiting.""
Joyce smiled and said, ""They helped a lot with the case. I should get them gifts to thank them.""
""No need, just having a meal with them is enough.""
They walked into the restaurant and saw two elderly people with graying hair.
The elderly lady, Bessie Phillips, immediately took Joyce's hand and smiled. ""You must be Joyce. You're so beautiful. You and Julian make a perfect couple.""
Joyce greeted them politely, ""Thank you for your help. Let me treat you to this meal.""
Bessie chided, ""Don't call me Madam. Call us Grandma and Grandpa; it's more affectionate.""
Joyce glanced at Julian, still unsure about his pursuit.
Julian smiled and said, ""Even if we're just classmates, calling them Grandma and Grandpa isn't too much, right?""
Joyce smiled and softly said, ""Hello, Grandpa. Hello, Grandma.""
The elderly couple was overjoyed. Bessie took off her bracelet and put it on Joyce's wrist before she could react.
""Joyce, this is a gift for you. It's a family heirloom. It may not be worth much, but it can keep you healthy. Julian said you're not in the best health, so this will help.""
Joyce tried to decline, ""Grandma, this is too precious. I can't accept it.""
Bessie got angry. ""If you don't take it, it means you dislike me.""
""Grandma, how could I? I just...""
Julian whispered in her ear, ""Just accept it for now. If you don't like it, you can take it off later. Don't make her sad.""
Joyce had no choice but to comply.
She realized she needed to seriously consider her relationship with Julian.
Sebastian, sitting not far away, saw everything.
Seeing Joyce wear the bracelet made his blood boil.
He pointed at Joyce and angrily said, ""That foolish woman, can't she see this is Julian's scheme? That bracelet is a family heirloom. Wearing it means she's acknowledging her relationship with Julian. I need to remind her, or she'll be deceived.""
Dominic grabbed Sebastian. ""Mr. Winters, going over there isn't a good idea. It will only make Ms. Blackwood more resistant to you.""
""Then what should I do? She's being deceived and doesn't even know it.""
""How do you know she's being deceived? What if she's already decided to be with Mr. Knight?""
This hit Sebastian hard.
The pain made his fingertips tremble.
'Is Joyce really planning to be with Julian? Does she really not want me anymore?' The thought felt like a heavy stone on his chest.
He couldn't breathe.
She was his woman. The one she loved had always been him.
How could she be with someone else?
At that moment, Sebastian noticed a little boy, about two years old, not far away.
The boy was hiding in a corner, secretly watching Julian.
The boy's eyes were clear and bright.
But Sebastian saw a hidden desire in them.
Sebastian's eyes narrowed.
He looked at Julian, then at the little boy.
A strange idea popped into his mind.
He whispered something to Dominic.
Dominic's eyes widened in disbelief."
