Just as their lips were about to meet, a sudden commotion erupted outside.
"Mr. Fu, why are you here?"
Nathaniel Fu instantly released Yara Lu and turned toward the doorway, where Julian Fu was walking in.
Yara looked startled. "Nathaniel, why is your nephew here? Mr. Fu has recently developed a puzzle game app that's gone viral. In barely ten days, it's become a nationwide sensation. I've tried it myself, but I can't even get past the second level. He's only twenty-one and already a rising star in the gaming world with a brilliant future ahead of him."
Nathaniel said nothing.
Several young heirs from wealthy families followed Julian inside. "Mr. Fu, are you here to play? Join us!"
Julian's handsome features darkened. "Where's Nathaniel Fu?"
He hadn't addressed him as "Uncle," but had instead used his full name. The crowd froze in shock.
Julian's gaze swept the room until it landed on Nathaniel and Yara in a private booth. Without hesitation, he strode forward.
Yara rose quickly. "Mr. Fu, what are you doing here—"
Julian didn't spare her a glance. He marched straight up to Nathaniel and threw a punch that landed squarely across his uncle's face.
Gasps rippled through the room.
"Oh my God!" someone exclaimed as the crowd closed in.
Just then, Zane Song arrived. The nightclub belonged to the Song family, and with both sides of his family among the capital's most powerful, Zane had also returned here.
"Please, everyone, give them space," Zane ordered, signaling the security staff to disperse the onlookers. Then he stepped inside, pulling Julian back. "Mr. Fu, let's talk this out."
Nathaniel hadn't dodged. He took the punch, then turned his face slightly, running his tongue against the inside of his cheek. His sharp gaze lifted, meeting Julian's furious eyes.
Julian's fists tightened. "Are you really going to marry this woman, Yara Lu?"
Nathaniel's expression remained calm. "Yes."
Julian swung his gaze toward Yara. "Did you know he already had a woman in Yecheng?"
Yara froze. She hadn't expected Julian to storm in and strike Nathaniel. He had always been close to his uncle—when had their relationship soured?
But Julian repeated, his voice cutting, "Did you know?"
Composing herself, Yara lifted her chin, her red lips curving faintly. "So what if I did? That's all in the past. What matters is that I have his present and his future."
Julian gave a sharp laugh. "Perfect. One of you doesn't mind that his woman once scorned him for being an illegitimate child, and the other doesn't mind that her man had already been with someone else. What a touching, second-rate kind of devotion."
Yara stiffened, unable to reply.
At that moment, a delicate-looking young woman entered, timidly clutching Julian's arm. "Mr. Fu, let's go."
Without another glance back, Julian turned and walked out with her. Moments later, his flamboyant Ferrari roared away from the curb.
······
Inside the private room, Zane instructed staff to tidy up the mess. Yara moved to Nathaniel's side, her face full of concern. "Nathaniel, let me get you a towel." She hurried out.
Zane stayed behind, studying Nathaniel. "Brother, is that Julian's new girlfriend?"
Nathaniel replied evenly, "Yes. I heard she's the campus belle at Beijing Film Academy."
"She looks a lot like… her," Zane remarked.
Nathaniel glanced at him, his expression unreadable.
Zane only shrugged, choosing not to elaborate.
A low male voice cut through the silence. "Not like her. Not even close."
Zane turned to him. "Second brother, what do you mean? What's the difference?"
"What?"
"I'm not talking about feelings. I'm asking—when two women are in your arms, what's the difference?"