Accidental Marriage With Mr Billioniare
Chapter 283: TRAGEDY

Chapter 283: TRAGEDY

The news headline flashed on the screen of the whole city.

"Tragedy Strikes: Stephan Ray, Heir to the Ray Empire, Dies in a road accident on his way back from getting discharged after an Attack." Julian’s eyes widened as he read the article, his mind reeling with shock and grief.

According to the report, Stephan had been rushed to the hospital after a brutal attack by Mattie Adams. Despite the medical team’s best efforts, Stephan and his mum succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a grieving family and a community in shock.

As Julian continued to read, his hands tapped against the steering wheel, his anxiety and pain growing with each passing sentence.

"Fuck!" Julian growled inside his car, how could he miss this, Mattie had gone far beyond.

He couldn’t believe that Stephan, his childhood friend, was gone and the one who killed him must have been Mattie.

Stephan’s mother had died instantly along with Stephan, while his father, Simone Ray, had been rushed to the hospital with fatal injuries.

The whole city is in darkness as one of the prominent businessmen lost his son and wife.

Julian’s eyes still went through the news when his phone rang, shrill and insistent, breaking the silence. He answered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Hello?"

Astrid’s voice was laced with urgency and fear. "Mattie did it, Julian. Paige just called me and told me that Mattie left the house an hour ago. I think she’s behind Stephan’s death."

Julian’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles white with rage. "Julian, she is going crazy. Let’s throw her in prison. I must have provoked her when I went to her last time, telling her that Stephan is the one threatening her."

Julian swallowed hard as he murmured "Stay where you are, Astrid. Don’t move an inch. Mattie is unpredictable, and I don’t want you to take any risks."

"I’ll be fine, Julian. But you need to be careful too. Mattie is capable of anything."

Julian’s response was grim. "I will take care of myself, Astrid. Just stay safe." Just with that, he drove off.

*********

FUNERAL DAY

The funeral was a somber affair, with friends and family gathering to pay their respects to Stephan and his mother.

Simone Ray, Stephan’s father, sat in a wheelchair, his eyes sunken and his face pale. It had been a dreaded and painful day for him ever since he got the news that he lost both of his only families.

Julian, Astrid, Maren, Miles, Zach, and Desmond approach the coffin, and they show their respect.

While Simone just sat there lost and frustrated, only then did his eyes lock onto Julian.

"Why are you here?" he spat, "You are one of the reasons my son is dead." but Julain only stared at her looking lost.

Desmond stepped forward, his hand on Simone’s shoulder. "Simone, please. This isn’t the time or place."

But Simone shook off Desmond’s hand, his eyes blazing with anger. "You don’t understand. Mattie did this. She’s the one who killed my son, if he had just had a smooth talk and Julain understood my son this wouldn’t have happened."

Zach placed a calming hand on Simone’s shoulder. "Simone, we know. But we need to focus on celebrating Stephan’s life, not placing blame."

Simone’s gaze lingered on Julian and Astrid, his eyes filled with deep sadness and anger. "I want to place blame on how it hurt to lose my only son, Desmond. How would you feel losing yours ahh?" Desmond didn’t snag to think about it, so he just shook his head.

"Hey, it shouldn’t be that hard," Desmond let out.

"You should have protected him," he whispered, his voice cracking, Zsch knowing how hurt and broken he was, he only patted his shoulder trying to comfort him as he broke into his arms while Astrid’s fist tightened.

She had a lot to say but didn’t want to ruin the moment so she just shut her mouth as she grabbed her husband’s hand pulling him back and also comforting him.

Finally, after many hours of crying and grieving the ceremony ended, and the mourners began to disperse.

As they walked away from the grave, Astrid leaned into Julian, her voice barely above a whisper. "What’s next?"

Julian’s response was grim. "We find Mattie and make her pay for what she’s done."

Then Astrid let out a deep sigh, her shoulders sagging in relief. "I would have attacked Stephan’s father if not for all the eyes on us," she admitted.

Julian’s eyes widened in surprise as he turned to her. "Why?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Astrid’s expression turned icy. "He spoke to you in a rude tone, like you were the one who had orchestrated Stephan and Mattie’s affair." Julian’s face broke into a smile, and he chuckled. "I felt like punching him in the eyes," she mumbled looking back and Julian snickered.

"I would have loved to see you fight for me," he teased, as Astrid shot him a withering glance.

"Why are you acting weak?" she demanded. "You are not like this. You’re the type who doesn’t let things slide easily."

Julian rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Common, Astrid, you’ve changed me, and besides, he is my ex-best friend’s father," he said, his voice laced with amusement. Astrid’s eyes narrowed.

"I told you not to always be cold to me, not to anyone else," she corrected him. "I want my husband back, the one who commands respect and doesn’t let people walk all over him."

Julian’s smile softened, and he pulled Astrid close, his lips brushing against her forehead. "Thank you for making me smile, even on a day like today," he whispered. Astrid’s eyes fluttered closed as she returned his kiss.

Just then, Julian’s gaze flicked toward something in the distance. Astrid followed his line of sight, her brow furrowing in confusion. "What’s wrong?" she asked.

Julian forced a smile onto his face. "Nothing, let’s just get out of here." But before they could make a move, Desmond, Zach, and Becky appeared, blocking their path.

"Hey, why don’t we all grab dinner together?" Desmond suggested, his voice booming through the night air.

"Miles and Maren are coming too. It will be like old times."

Astrid and Julian exchanged a wary glance. "I don’t know, Dad," Julian began, but Desmond cut him off.

"Come on, it will be good for Simone. He needs to take his mind off things and also you both." Desmond suggested as he pointed at Miles and Julian.

Just then, a sleek black car pulled up, and Simone was helped out of his wheelchair. Desmond clapped him on the back. "We are all heading to the Logan mansion. My treat."

Simone opened his mouth to protest, but Desmond talked over him. "No arguments, Simone. This is exactly what you need right now after all we are all family friends." Simone’s face fell, but he didn’t argue further.

As they all piled into the car, Julian helped Astrid into the passenger seat, his hands lingering on her waist as he buckled her seatbelt. He had driven down to the funeral that day, so none of his guards were with him.

He dropped a gentle kiss on her forehead, and Astrid’s lips curved upward.

But as Julian turned to make his way to the driver’s side, his eyes locked onto something that made his heart skip a beat. A faint light flickered on Astrid’s dress, and Julian’s instincts kicked in.

"Get down!" he growled, pushing Astrid’s head downward. The next instant, a hail of gunfire erupted, and Julian felt a searing pain in his chest.

Astrid’s screams were drowned out by the sound of shattering glass and screeching tires.

As the gunfire ceased, Astrid’s cries grew louder, her voice hoarse from screaming. "Julian! Oh God, Julian!"

Everyone now rushed out of the car, sprinting toward them. Julian’s eyes weakly stared at Astrid, his hands stretching toward her face with a small smile on his face.

"Julian, please don’t leave me," she cried out, jerking him but Julian’s eyes fluttered closed, a faint smile on his lips.

"No!!!"