000


    Kaleb pointed to the ashtray in front of Julian, filled with cigarette butts, the teasing smile in his eyes undiminished.


    A hint of unease flickered in Julian''s eyes as he avoided Kaleb''s probing gaze and looked elsewhere, saying in a deep voice, "I just felt like smoking. There''s nothing to be troubled about."


    "But you look more agitated now than when your grandpa forced you to marry Rosalie." Kaleb''s words hit the nail on the head, causing Julian''s face to darken further.


    He didn''t respond, picked up the cigarette pack again to light another one, only to find it empty. He called over a waiter. "Bring me another pack of cigarettes."


    "Yes, Mr. Galloway," the waiter replied and left.


    After the waiter left, Kaleb frowned and asked, "You''ve smoked an entire pack. Do you even care about your lungs if you keep this up?"


    Julian remained silent, his expression still sour.


    Seeing Julian''s petnt demeanor, Kaleb understood why Anya often scolded him. He was simply insufferable.


    No, even the most patient person would find him hard to deal with.


    If it were anyone else, Kaleb would have ignored him, but this was his wife''s


    brother. Anya mightin about him, but she still cared deeply.


    For Anya''s sake, Kaleb felt he needed to give Julian some advice.


    After a few seconds of contemtion, Kaleb asked, "Why did you propose divorce to Rosalie back then?"


    Hepletely disregarded Julian''s earlier excuses and asked the question straightforwardly.


    Julian was taken aback. In fact, he had never truly asked himself this question.


    The resentment from being forced into marriage by his grandfather had festered


    in him for a year, and he had grown to dislike Rosalie over that year.