Wait, was he seeing things? How could his workaholic boss look so childishly aggrieved slumping over the desk? The files Rocky had brought to Julian earlier hadn’t even been glanced at, his pen moving aimlessly across the paper.
“Ahem, Mr. Barnet,” Rocky spoke up, snapping the man out of his reverie. Only then did he glance down at the contract in his hands, which was filled with random scribbles.
He felt a bit embarrassed but muttered under his breath, “Who drafted this contract? Let him redraft it!”
To maintain his president’s image, it was essential that no one discovered this was intentional.
Yet, the hint of affection in his eyes and brows was palpable, even to the blind. Rocky had always thought his boss was the coldest man alive. Not even the most beautiful women, throwing themselves at him, could change his expression. He had once believed his boss desired nothing.
But now, seeing him in love was like witnessing a total transformation!
Previously, he would arrive earlier and leave later than any employee, working tirelessly. Lately, though his arrival was at a normal time, he left earlier than anyone, clearly distracted.
“Okay. Did you look at the previous contract, Mr. Barnet?” Rocky asked quietly.
“I’ll look at it in a moment. Just leave it and go,” Julian replied, eager to send him away. Once Rocky left, Julian couldn’t resist sending a message to someone else.
Aurora was in class when suddenly she received his text, feeling a small thrill. What did he want now?
Opening the message, she found he had simply asked, “What are you doing?”
She replied, “In class.”
Her phone vibrated again soon after. He texted, “Want me to pick you up after class? I’m on the way.”
Thinking about how they were now neighbors, Aurora responded, “No need. I have a job seminar tonight, and Cameron will pick me up afterward.”
Julian, bored, tossed his phone aside. Previously, he felt like closing his eyes for a moment was enough for a day to pass. Why did time now crawl so slowly?
He wanted to see Aurora sooner. Were there so many lectures at her school now?
He dialed an internal line and Rocky quickly entered. “Mr. Barnet, may I help you?”
“Tell the principal to cut down on these pointless lectures,” Julian said languidly.
Rocky was momentarily confused and asked, “Which school?”
“The university Aurora attends. Do they think one job seminar will get them jobs? What a joke,” Julian scoffed.
Rocky’s lips twitched. Why was his boss suddenly concerned about lectures? It turned out it was all for Miss Montgomery.
“Okay, I understand.” Despite the odd request, Julian’s substantial annual donations to the school ensured the principal took it seriously.
Rocky conveyed his boss’s wishes, albeit more diplomatically, certainly not mentioning it was for a woman.
The principal adjusted his glasses when he answered, “Absolutely, the president is right. To get students jobs, practical experience is essential. I’ll tell the dean to reduce the lectures and focus more on practical activities. The president is really thoughtful.”
After hanging up, Rocky felt a pang of guilt. Not only had he stood up the principal last time, but now he was spinning tales he could hardly bear.
Though the number of lectures had been reduced, today’s lecture was still scheduled, and Aurora found herself dozing off through it. After her previous experience, she dared not take the same shortcut and instead opted to leave through the main avenue. Before she could walk out of the campus, someone behind her called out, “Aurora, you stop right there.”
That voice was unforgettable to Aurora. Three years ago, she had been drugged by that person who told her to enjoy herself. Ivy! Aurora had tried her best to avoid Ivy since Asher arrived, but somehow, she had been spotted today. It didn’t matter anymore. She had nothing to hide and slowly turned around.
Ivy was initially surprised when she heard the name from Gemma’s mouth. How could that bumpkin’s name be the same as her sister’s? But then she assumed it was a coincidence. The name “Aurora” wasn’t unique and was rather common. Considering Aurora’s upbringing, Ivy concluded she wouldn’t wear such rustic clothes, so she must be someone else with the same name.
Three years ago, Aurora moved to the United States. Since then, Genevieve had made several attempts to have her assassinated, and there had been no word from her for two years. Ivy speculated that Aurora might have already died in America, and if not, the Montgomery family hadn’t sent her a dime, so she was likely scavenging in America.
Seeing the woman in rustic attire turn around, wearing large-framed glasses, and in the dim streetlight, her features were indiscernible. Especially with her upper body adorned in a lace-collared blouse and a floral skirt, Ivy felt that looking any longer would lower her own sense of fashion. “Are you Aurora?”
It seemed unlikely that the school could find anyone dressed more out-of-style than Aurora. The crowd around them began to gather, drawn to the spectacle, with even Zachary approaching with a glamorous girl on his arm. “Ivy, what are you doing here?” He glanced from Ivy to Aurora, doubting when she had ever interacted with such people.
“What do you think I should do if someone tries to steal my boyfriend?” Ivy asked with a frivolous smile.
“Are you telling me this trash stole your man?” Zachary spat out his gum. Their initial assessment of Aurora’s appearance led them to conclude she must be ugly, outdated, and poor.
Gemma watched from the shadows, convinced Aurora wouldn’t dare offend the Montgomery Group’s heiress. She was sure Aurora was doomed! Under her glasses, Aurora’s expression was inscrutable. Ivy smirked, “Exactly.”
“Well then, I’ll just have to teach this bitch a lesson,” Zachary said, cracking his knuckles.
“Who do you think you are to teach me a lesson?” Aurora’s lips curled into a cold smile, her voice chilling those present.
Ivy and Zachary found the voice eerily familiar, as if they had heard it somewhere before. “Listen well, I am the heiress to the Montgomery family!”
Aurora’s smile widened. “If you’re the heiress, then who am I?”