Before he met the woman he loved, Julian was cold and aloof. After meeting Aurora, every sentence he uttered became a term of endearment. He never imagined he would say such things. All he wanted now was for Aurora to be happy and at ease.
“Hey, how much longer are you going to be all lovey-dovey? Come down for breakfast,” Asher called out, seemingly after an eternity had passed. He had already prepared breakfast by the time they separated.
Aurora hurried down the stairs where Asher had pulled out a chair for her, showing a gentlemanly demeanor. “There aren’t many fresh ingredients left in the kitchen, so bear with it,” Asher said as he sat down across from her.
Having experienced days without food, Aurora was not picky about her meals. Grateful for any food, she spread butter on a slice of toasted bread. “I’m happy that you’re cooking for me, and I don’t need to ‘bear with’ anything,” she replied before taking a bite.
“Considering you’re our next big client, I guess I can make an exception,” Asher said, looking at Julian.
Julian, unbothered, sat next to Aurora and didn’t argue. “I’ll pick you up from school this afternoon,” he said gently.
“No need. I have to drop off Ashy tonight.”
“I’ll come with you,” Julian insisted, already integrating himself into Aurora’s world.
“Don’t act like we’re close. I’ve been with her for three years. We’re family. You stay out of this,” Asher retorted.
Julian passed a glass of hot milk to Aurora and then said, “I knew her way before you did.”
Aurora nearly spit out her milk, watching the two exchange barbs, suddenly feeling like her world wasn’t so lonely anymore.
After much bickering, Aurora took Asher to school, while Julian went to the office.
Approaching the school, Aurora didn’t revert to her unfashionable attire, merely adjusting her hair and putting on glasses.
They walked down the same path Aurora had taken that night. “Is this where you were attacked?” Asher asked.
“In fact, I didn’t get attacked,” Aurora replied helplessly.
“Sorry, I mean, is this the path they chased you down?”
“Yes, I had come out from that academic building. This path leads to the outskirts and is a shortcut I’ve often used without previous incidents,” Aurora explained.
Aurora had seen many couples on this road before. Despite its darkness, she hadn’t felt it was particularly dangerous. She now felt a bit scared after the incident, thinking about what might have happened if she hadn’t escaped to Hayden’s car.
“From what you’ve told me, Susan doesn’t know you’re back yet, so it must be the Montgomery family. Maybe Ivy and the others found out you were back. You and Ivy are in the same school and the same year. I don’t think it’s as simple as that, and I’m sure this was premeditated.
“If the Montgomery family were repeating old tricks, wanting to take compromising photos, they would have just taken you. But from your description, it seems they wanted to harm you here.
“Analyzing their motive, it seems they just wanted to harass you. Minor harassment wouldn’t impact the Montgomery family much. If it were them, I’d expect them to resort to more violent means, like those they employ in the U. S.”
“This incident clearly wasn’t their usual handiwork. Besides, knowing you would take this route and lying in wait here means the person must be familiar with your habits. You never return to the dormitory, always leave school after lectures, and you prefer this path. I conclude that it must be someone close to you, someone who set this up just to teach you a lesson and vent his anger. Your deep hatred for the Montgomery family and Susan has blinded you to this, leading you to always suspect them whenever something goes wrong. Have you made any enemies at school?”
After hearing Asher’s analysis, Aurora realized she had made a mistake, trapped by her animosity towards the Montgomery family and Susan. Yesterday, Ivy passed by her. If Ivy truly knew she had returned, she wouldn’t have completely ignored her. “Who have I angered?” Aurora pondered. If she really had to name someone, there was only one person.
“If it’s not the Montgomery family and Susan, then it’s likely her,” Aurora concluded, pinpointing someone in her mind.
“Who?”
“An insignificant person,” Aurora replied coldly, having already dismissed a past incident at the cafe where Gemma had schemed against her.
“Since it’s an insignificant person who committed such a vile act, that person is probably not a decent one,” Asher commented playfully.
“Asher, do you think I’m someone easy to bully?” Aurora said with a seductive smile.
Seeing the expression on her face, Asher knew someone was about to suffer. “Your expression on your face now is quite telling. Do you need my help?”
“No need.” Aurora led him towards the female dormitory, drawing attention with Asher’s dashing appearance.
“Wait here. I’ll be down soon,” she said, walking towards the dorm.
Asher, hands crossed over his chest, wasn’t worried. If Aurora couldn’t handle a college student, she wouldn’t have survived in America for so long. He leisurely strolled nearby, enjoying the college atmosphere and the youthful students, his lips curling into a smile. During his brief wait, several female students struck up conversations. “Handsome, which department are you from? Why haven’t we seen you before?”
With his looks, he’d definitely be the campus heartthrob in any department. “Me? Drama department,” Asher lied casually.
“They say the drama department has all the handsome guys, and it’s true! Are you mixed? Your eyes are so beautiful.”
As the conversation grew livelier, Asher amused himself with these college students. Soon, a woman in high-end designer clothes approached, dispersing the crowd. Asher recognized her instantly. It was Ivy. Thanks to Aurora, he knew all about the Montgomery family. What a small world.
This was a good opportunity to probe for information. Ivy noticed the handsome man in the crowd. “What are you doing under the girls’ dorm? Waiting for your girlfriend?” she asked, more direct than the other girls. To her, it didn’t matter whether a man had a girlfriend or not. She was interested in him.