When Aurora emerged, Cameron was already waiting outside the door, his expression one of surprise as he saw Julian follow her out from her place.
“Miss Montgomery, could it be that you two…” Cameron began.
“Cameron, it’s not what you think…” Aurora started to explain, but Julian cut her off.
“Indeed, we are living together,” he declared, almost eager to announce to the world his relationship with Aurora.
Cameron’s mouth fell open, shocked that Miss Montgomery had gotten together with Julian so soon after her return. He was, after all, a national heartthrob!
“Enough with his nonsense. Let’s go,” Aurora dismissed and slid into the passenger seat.
“Call me if you need anything,” Julian said, still somewhat concerned.
“Okay, I know,” Aurora nodded.
The car drove along a familiar road. “After all these years, I am back!” she thought.
Outside the Montgomery family’s manor, their car was stopped at the gate. As Aurora stepped out to approach, the guard jumped in surprise. “Miss… Miss Montgomery, what brings you back?”
“Open the gate,” Aurora commanded coldly.
“Y-Yes, right away,” the guard stammered, visibly shocked as it had been over three years since he last saw her.
Aurora chose to walk the rest of the way. The villa looked the same as it did three years ago, unaltered by time. As she walked through the garden, where the plants had been meticulously maintained, it seemed as if time stood still in this place.
Determined, she made her way inside, intent on purging the vile individuals who had taken over her family home.
Ringing the doorbell, she found that the servants had been replaced. None recognized her.
“Who are you?”
“Aurora Montgomery,” she stated icily.
Hearing the name, the maid, unfamiliar with her face but recognizing the family name, didn’t dare delay and let her in, assuming she was a wealthy relative.
Inside, Genevieve was still asleep, and it was unlikely Zachary and Ivy were awake. Magnus, who maintained a habit of early morning workouts, was already out.
“Miss Montgomery, what can I do for you? The lady of the house isn’t up yet,” the maid asked.
“Do I need a reason to return to my own home?” Aurora glared at her, sending a chill down the maid’s spine.
“Go wake Genevieve,” Aurora ordered coldly.
“Yes,” the maid sensed the ominous tone in her voice.
Genevieve, curious to meet the person Ivy had described as much changed, came downstairs prepared. She was taken aback to see a stylishly dressed woman in black sitting on the couch. Her appearance was unexpectedly radiant, not at all like the broken figure Genevieve had hoped to keep subdued by controlling her finances.
Aurora was not only alive but thriving, evident from the black gemstone ring on her finger, a creation by the famous designer DO, known internationally as the “Black Swan’s Tear”. This rare black gemstone had been auctioned last year in London, and now its cut, set into necklaces, rings, and earrings, was coveted worldwide.
Only five sets existed globally, and they were sold as complete sets. Before they even became available, Magnus had already contacted his friends in the jewelry industry to reserve a set for himself.
However, he ultimately failed to secure them. Now, looking at Aurora, who wore the rare set known as “Black Swan’s Tears” around her neck and ears, Genevieve was baffled.
What had this woman done in America to obtain the jewelry that even she couldn’t acquire?
“Look who’s here. Our dear daughter of the house finally returns after three years! What brought you back today?” Genevieve approached her with a measured pace.
She truly possessed the air of a lady of means, as Aurora noticed the mocking smile at the corner of her mouth and looked down at the time.
Only then did she slowly stand up. “Long time no see, Genevieve, who shamelessly climbed into my father’s bed while my mother was pregnant.”
Aurora struck a nerve. Genevieve could never erase the fact that she was the other woman, a reality she despised being reminded of.
The young girl, who never dared to confront her in the past, had now returned with such words, infuriating Genevieve to the point of a visibly upset expression.
Yet, losing one’s temper first in such situations undoubtedly meant losing the game. “You’ve grown quite sharp-tongued in the past three years. Looking at your attire, could it be that some wealthy man is keeping you?”
Genevieve’s demeanor was as unpleasant as ever, but Aurora’s smile remained undiminished. “Genevieve, you keep mentioning being kept. Could it be that you think all women are as shameless as you?”
Each word from Aurora was like a needle piercing into Genevieve’s heart, and seeing the housemaid nearby, Genevieve naturally didn’t want these matters overheard.
“What are you looking at? Go back to your work.”
“Yes, madam.” The maids knew Genevieve’s temper well. A slight mistake could provoke her wrath, and she was particularly cruel in punishing her servants.
“What? Afraid of people talking about what you’ve done? It seems you still acknowledge the concepts of propriety and shame, but if you know them, why do you still choose to act this way?”
Once they were alone, Genevieve’s hostility was fully revealed. “Don’t think that staying a few years in America can change anything.
Aurora, back then I managed to drive your mother to her death and send you to America, and I can just as easily drive you out of the Montgomery family now.
If you behave and listen, I’ll give you a sum of money to go far away, as long as you promise never to return.”
Genevieve realized something was off when she confronted Aurora, who no longer carried any trace of her past self, unsettling her.
With Zachary and Ivy in their senior year, mostly interning, she wanted to use this opportunity to secure their positions in the company.
However, Aurora’s return at this critical moment could jeopardize everything, so Genevieve decided to shift her strategy.
“The Montgomery family is my home. Where else would I go? Besides, I think the person who should leave is you, not me. You, who broke up my family, have no right to mention my mother!”
Aurora slapped Genevieve across the face, causing her to stare back with wide eyes. “How dare you hit me?” She retaliated fiercely.
Just then, Magnus entered, witnessing her strike Aurora. “What are you doing?”