After listening to Asher, Julian gained a deeper understanding of Aurora. “I know she must have suffered a lot over the years, and I will definitely take good care of her in the future.”
“Knowing you are by her side, I can also rest assured and return to the United States. But before that, I need to tell you something,” Asher said seriously.
“What is it?”
“Over the years, her stepmother has never given up on assassinating her. After all, Aurora is the rightful heir to the Montgomery family. As long as she is alive, she will inherit the Montgomery family, and even if she doesn’t, she will own a significant share of the stock. Genevieve will definitely not let her live, and Susan, who is determined to snatch Hayden away, also sees her as a thorn in her side. Both parties are hostile towards her. The night before last, she was chased at school, but fortunately, she was unharmed. You must protect her well after I leave. Aurora came back for revenge. Once they know of her return, they will certainly not come after her.”
While Asher had previously joked with Aurora, he actually cared deeply for her and said he was going to visit the school today. Besides wanting to understand her life, more importantly, he wanted to see if there were any clues at the school.
“Is there really such a thing? Thank goodness you told me. I know what to do now,” Julian’s expression suddenly turned cold.
Aurora was inherently a strong person. No matter what happened, she preferred to endure alone. If Asher hadn’t mentioned it, Julian would certainly not have known last night’s event from Aurora. Matters concerning her safety were not to be taken lightly.
“What are you whispering about?” Aurora, having finished washing up, came out and saw the two standing outside the door, discussing something seriously.
For her, this was quite unusual. These two were usually at odds when they met, and it was oddly harmonious when she was not around.
“It’s nothing. I was just betting with him on what color of clothes you would wear today.” Asher quickly changed the subject.
“Exactly, I bet you would wear black,” Julian continued along Asher’s line.
“I bet you will wear white. So what color did you choose to wear today?” Asher asked with a smile.
“What I want to know more is what you guys bet on.” Aurora’s gaze shifted between their faces.
Asher and Julian looked at each other, then Asher raised an eyebrow and smiled, “We cannot tell you yet.”
“That’s no fun. Since I haven’t changed clothes yet, if you tell me the bet, maybe I will change my clothes based on the bet.”
“If I win, I will move in to live with you,” Julian spoke up.
Asher’s smile stiffened. Julian was truly cunning, instantly proposing a significant bet.
“And if you win?” Aurora looked towards Asher.
Asher’s eyes flickered as he answered, “If I win, our company’s next deal will be paid by Mr. Barnet.”
Julian’s lips twitched. Asher was quick-witted indeed. Aurora’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Both nodded and said, “Yes.”
“Alright, then I am your witness. Now, go out. I’m going to change my clothes.” With that, Aurora abruptly closed the door.
It was obvious who would win the bet. Asher said with a triumphant smile, “I’m definitely going to win. Right now, she cares most about the company’s affairs.”
“One order can make her smile. Losing the bet is no big deal.” Julian was unconcerned about the outcome. Instead, he casually went back to his room to change clothes.
Asher was originally looking to regain his pride after being outsmarted by Julian yesterday, but little did he know, Julian didn’t care at all. Even winning didn’t bring him much joy, especially when Aurora appeared in the white dress as expected.
“Julian, you lost,” she said, lifting her skirt as she ran towards Julian. Their company’s smallest order started at eight figures. This time Julian couldn’t escape without securing a few hundred million dollars. It was a major deal indeed.
Securing the deal was as simple as changing her outfit, probably the easiest order she had managed in three years. Consequently, she was extremely pleased, her face blossoming with joy as she ran up to Julian.
“Yes, I lost,” he admitted, seeing the happiness on Aurora’s face, which oddly made him happier.
Aurora paused, puzzled by his smile. “Did you lose on purpose?”
“I just wanted to see the little princess from back then once more,” Julian replied, pulling her into his arms.
Aurora remembered how she used to love white and pink before her tastes changed. Her style of clothing had shifted to chic and sexy, and it had been a long time since she had laughed this freely. Julian knew he wouldn’t win the bet about moving in together, yet he still suggested it intentionally.
He had gone through all this trouble just to see her smile again and to see her like the carefree little princess she used to be on the ship. Wearing the white dress, she had the purest smile, everything seemed like it used to be.
Enveloped in his arms, under his tender gaze, any woman would find it hard to resist such a man.
“Hmph, I’ll prepare the contract when I get back,” Asher said, pulling Aurora from Julian’s embrace.
“Alright, I’ll be waiting,” Julian replied, his smile unwavering.
Pulled back by Asher, Aurora realized her resistance to Julian was weakening.
“Ashy, I’m hungry,” she said, breaking the tension.
“Okay, I’ll go make breakfast and then we can head to school, alright?”
“Mhm,” Aurora nodded.
Asher happily ran downstairs. The fridge still had some ingredients, and he began preparing her favorite breakfast.
Aurora was about to follow him when Julian pulled her back, enveloping her from behind.
“Aurora, you look beautiful when you smile. You should smile more often,” he whispered gently into her ear.
His voice was magnetic, perfectly suited for voice acting, devoid of any previous arrogance, now only wrapped in gentleness. If Julian had been harsh, Aurora would have grown to hate him more, but his tender demeanor made it impossible for her to keep disliking him. Even a single gesture from him could send her heart racing. “Our company’s orders are no small amount, ranging from tens to hundreds of millions.”
“So what?” Julian chuckled lightly. “It’s nothing to me.”
Aurora twitched her lips. Despite her current financial security, she was still short of money, especially with a new company needing capital for start-up.
Julian, seemingly oblivious to the needs of those less fortunate, asked, “Do you know what’s the only thing I lack?”
“What?” she responded.
“You.”