As the doorbell rang, Hayden furrowed his brow. Aurora looked at him and asked, “Aren’t you going to answer the door?”
“It’s definitely her,” Hayden replied, his voice laden with weariness and disdain.
“There’s nothing between us, and avoiding her makes it seem like we actually have something shameful to hide,” Aurora said indifferently.
“Weren’t you the one who said earlier not to let them find out your return?” Hayden asked, puzzled.
“I don’t know those thugs’ background. Aside from Susan, the only people who hate me are the Montgomery family. I want to know who is behind this.”
With Julian’s help, the company was doing much better now. She felt more confident and thought it was time to meet them.
Today could be a good opportunity.
Hayden frowned, “You suspect her?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure who wants to harm me, so I just want to test her. If it’s not her, it must be the Montgomery family. After all, these years…”
“What had happened?” Hayden quickly pressed.
“It’s nothing. If you won’t open the door, I will,” Aurora said, heading straight for the door.
Hayden wanted to hold her back but was afraid her meeting with Susan would hurt her, as he had already seriously broken her heart three years ago.
Even knowing what consequences may come from opening that door, he let go, ready to face the impending storm.
Aurora couldn’t wait to see Susan’s face. She had waited three years for this moment.
Her hand trembled uncontrollably as she opened the door, her excitement palpable.
The door slowly opened. “Hayden, why didn’t you answer my call? Aurora! Why is it you!” Susan’s expression froze.
Seeing Aurora in a sexy nightgown, as a woman, she knew too well that underneath was just lingerie. Why was she in Hayden’s place in the middle of the night?
She had imagined their meeting but never like this.
Susan’s eyes widened, initially puzzled.
Hayden was not the type to frivolously adore women, but recently he had been doing many odd things.
She thought she had met a formidable rival, only to find it was Aurora!
A panic she had never felt before swept through her.
Three years ago, she had dared to act because she was fully prepared, decisively collaborating with Ivy to defeat Aurora.
The original plan was to ruin Aurora’s reputation with a scandal, not only to make her lose her shares of Montgomery Group but also to have her expelled by the Montgomery family.
Once she lost her status as the heiress of the Montgomery family and was defiled by other men, her returning to Hayden would be impossible.
But the sudden turn of events caught them off guard when the scandal implicated Ivy instead of Aurora. Fortunately for her, Aurora, overwhelmed by grief, had left Clothville. Otherwise, when would it be her turn?
Aurora had always been a thorn in Susan’s side. She knew that Hayden still had feelings for Aurora all these years.
No matter what she did, she could never win Hayden’s heart. She had hoped that by marrying him, Hayden would eventually come to love her.
Even if Aurora returned one day, she couldn’t turn the tide anymore. Who could have known Aurora would appear before her own engagement?
If the lipstick on Hayden’s clothes earlier was Aurora’s, and if she was the woman in the hotel room that night, then Susan was doomed.
For years, no one could replace Aurora in his heart, and now her greatest threat had returned.
Aurora stared into Susan’s eyes, seeing the panic and even a trace of fear. It seemed that those thugs tonight were not sent by her.
Susan’s reaction showed that she had just learned of Aurora’s return. If it wasn’t her doing, could it be the Montgomery family again? Susan’s dark circles under her eyes and worn face suggested she had been having a tough time.
“Long time no see, Susan,” Aurora had thought she would witness some crazy antics upon their reunion, but her mood was calmer than expected. Perhaps because she had been lying low, orchestrating her revenge while keeping tabs on her enemies. Now, with their roles reversed, she felt much lighter.
“Aurora, what are you doing here?” Susan recalled their last encounter, feeling a twinge of guilt. “I brought her here, Susan. Did you send someone to harm Aurora?” Hayden challenged. “What? Harm her? I didn’t even know when she returned.” Susan was utterly confused. What game were these two playing?
“Seems she’s here for you. I won’t disturb you further. I’m off to sleep,” Aurora said as she turned to leave. Susan watched her walk upstairs as if nothing had happened, almost popping her eyes out in shock as she shouted, “Aurora, you and Hayden broke up three years ago!” Aurora paused, a cold smile playing on her lips. “I know. You don’t need to remind me.”
“Then how could you shamelessly live with Hayden? I’m about to be engaged to him. Why are you staying in my fiance’s house?” Susan was no fool. She had sorted things out, realizing why Aurora had kept a low profile after her return. Susan was certain Aurora had returned for revenge!
There was no point in pretending anymore. It might be better to confront Aurora outright, especially since she couldn’t suppress her anger.
“You think I wanted to come?” Aurora turned, her demeanor less forceful, somewhat aggrieved. “Mr. Barnet brought me here.”
“Exactly, I brought her here. Someone was after Aurora. I needed to protect her.” Hayden recalled the way Aurora, tears in her eyes yet feigning toughness, had fled that night three years ago. If only he had stopped her, she wouldn’t have left for three years, years he spent missing her.
Now she was back, seeing Susan in her place, likely heartbroken. Between Susan and Aurora, he didn’t hesitate to stand by Aurora. Inspired by his own thoughts, Hayden was convinced Aurora still had feelings for him.
Once a person loses their sanity, they become incredibly irrational and volatile, much like Susan at that moment, utterly devoid of any rational thought. “Protect her? Your fiancee is me. The person by your side should be me,” Susan cried, looking into Hayden’s face.
Aurora merely observed her coldly. She had known Susan for years. The Susan she remembered was gentle, rational, and mature. But now, she was just a sad woman abandoned by love, devoid of any trace of the poise and elegance she once had. Aurora was just grateful that being targeted for assassination back then had spared her from descending into such a state. A woman without love was indeed pitiable.