Tonight’s dinner was sumptuous, featuring ingredients from all corners of the globe. The priciest lobster and the finest steaks, ingredients flown in just today, accompanied by red wine that had been perfectly decanted in advance. It was only after Aurora had seated herself that Julian slowly descended the stairs, his expression now perfectly normal as if nothing had happened.
He glanced at the wine and said, “Bring her a warm juice.” He hadn’t forgotten that Aurora was on her period and should avoid cold drinks.
“Yes, sir.”
“Miss Montgomery, what kind of juice would you like?”
“Anything will do,” Aurora replied, somewhat conflicted. She would rather Julian not be so considerate.
All the dishes were served on exquisite plates, visually stimulating the appetite, yet Aurora felt a lack of enthusiasm.
This dinner was perhaps the quietest meal they had shared, with only occasional questions from Julian, which she answered briefly. There was little else in the way of conversation.
Later in the evening, she was busy dealing with matters from the United States, while Julian was busy responding to his emails.
The room was filled only with the sounds of their mouse clicks and keyboard taps until the clock struck eleven, and Julian had already shut down his computer.
He observed her, absorbed in front of her screen, seemingly isolated from everything around her, lost in her own little world. A strand of hair fell over her forehead, her fingers tirelessly tapping at the keyboard, oblivious to the late hour.
Julian silently went to wash up, then came downstairs to prepare a warm glass of milk for her.
“It’s time to rest,” he whispered in her ear.
Only then did Aurora snap out of her trance, glancing at the time displayed on the bottom right of the screen. It was already half-past eleven, indeed a bit late.
“Thank you.” She took the glass and sipped, noticing the man in his pajamas standing behind her.
They looked every bit like a married couple, and her earlier request to move to another room had been denied by him. What exactly was he planning?
“Are you free tomorrow?” Julian suddenly asked.
Aurora looked at him warily, “What are you going to do?”
“Let’s go to the city hall tomorrow and get our marriage license. You’ve always said we have no relationship, right? If we have that paper, then legally, we will be husband and wife.”
Julian’s words startled Aurora so much that she choked on her milk, utterly unprepared to hear such a proposal.
“What? You…” Milk sprayed from her mouth as she coughed violently.
“Is this news that frightening?” He patted her back and wiped the corners of her mouth with a tissue.
“Yes, it’s a bit scary,” Aurora managed to say, sitting on the edge of the bed to rest.
Julian looked down at her. “Since we made a deal three years ago, how about we make another deal today?”
“A deal?” Now a competent businesswoman, Aurora was only moved by the prospect of a transaction.
“I need a woman, and you need a strong backing. You could be my woman, and I could be your support in seeking revenge. Don’t you want to crush the Simmons family, the Alvarez family, and the Montgomery family underfoot? Make them taste the suffering you’ve endured these past three years?”
Julian had considered many strategies, but in the end, he chose this seemingly absurd yet profoundly enticing approach.
Firstly, Aurora was a person who had suffered immense hurt from her family and her ex-boyfriend. She became sensitive and insecure, trusting no one but herself. He needed to tell her that his feelings for her were genuine, but with her current mindset, she probably wouldn’t believe him. She might even likely engage with others who could help her achieve her goals. He was deeply aware that this woman, who fascinated him, was also fatally toxic to other men. Of course, this was just his speculation and there was no guarantee it would actually happen.
If she needed support, he could be her strongest ally. Thus, not wooing her traditionally but attracting her with a business-like proposition might be the best approach. At this moment, a single thought dominated Aurora’s mind. “Don’t you want to trample the Simmons, Alvarez, and Montgomery families under your feet?” How could she not want that? She even dreamt of it, knowing well that toppling three families alone wasn’t something achievable overnight.
Even if it took her entire life, she was determined to fulfill this wish. Julian’s assistance meant she still had much to sacrifice. Seeing a hint of relenting in her eyes, Julian continued, “I understand your temperament. You don’t want others to interfere, and you want to seek revenge on your own. Marrying me means we become family. I am just your husband, not an outsider. I won’t interfere unless you need me, and I’ll be at your disposal.”
His offer was truly tempting. With his support, her vengeance could be much easier. Aurora bit her lip lightly. “What do you need me to do?”
“You only need to do one thing-be my Mrs. Barnet.” His gaze was so sincere that she couldn’t find any fault in it.
“Since you’re undecided, let me share another secret with you.”
“What secret?” Aurora asked, puzzled.
“Actually, my name isn’t Julian Barnet. I took the Barnet name from my mother. My real name should be Julian Alvarez.” His words exploded like a bomb beside her ear.
“You are…” Aurora’s mind thundered, recalling what Hayden had once told her.
The Alvarez family was prominent and wealthy. Hayden’s grandfather had three sons, the first two being unremarkable except for the eldest William Alvarez’s son, Hayden, who was brilliant and a favorite of their grandfather since childhood.
Everyone in the Alvarez family believed Hayden was the rightful heir, but that wasn’t the case. Grandpa Alvarez was most fond of his third son, a child he brought back from America, and nobody knew who his mother was. When his third son was born, Grandpa Alvarez was fifty. Euphemistically, he was the cherished youngest son, but bluntly, he was a bastard, with his mother’s background unknown to anyone.
Hayden had already told Aurora that he had an uncle a few years older than him, who was his greatest threat. “You are Hayden’s uncle?” Aurora finally understood Julian’s true identity. His features did not resemble Hayden’s.
Perhaps he inherited more from his mother, but who could have guessed that Julian was actually an illegitimate child?
Julian’s lips curled into a mischievous smile, his eyes carrying a chill as he spoke each word distinctly, “Marry me, and I will make that scoundrel and that vile woman kneel before you and call you Aunt Aurora.”