Genevieve had no choice but to tug at Ivy’s sleeve. “Ivy, you were wrong in this matter. Apologize to Aurora quickly.”
Ivy pouted. “Mom, why are you siding with her too?”
Genevieve quickly gave her a meaningful look. “Ivy, what you did was impolite. Listen to me and apologize to your sister now!”
Receiving that look from her mother, Ivy reluctantly walked up to Aurora to offer her apology.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s no big deal. I don’t blame you,” Aurora said generously.
“That’s more like it. Now that Aurora comes back, you must treat her well.” Magnus’s expression finally became softened.
“Of course, I’ve always treated Aurora as if she were my own daughter,” Genevieve lied.
“I’m relieved to hear that. Maren, hurry up and clean up Aurora’s room,” Magnus instructed before heading upstairs to change out of his sportswear.
As soon as he left, the expressions of everyone in the room changed. Aurora dropped her good girl facade, casually sitting on the sofa and playing with her phone. Genevieve’s face turned sinister, while Ivy looked as if she wanted to pounce on her.
“Aurora, your ability to act one way and do another truly impressed me. Three years in America have turned you into a different person,” Genevieve said, her tone dripped sarcasm. Aurora lifted her head from her phone. “I’ll take that as a compliment. These are the tricks you taught me. Remember?”
Today, she had used all the tricks that Ivy and the others had once used against her. Aurora’s smile was blooming like flowers.
This smile, however, was irritating to Ivy and the others. Ivy charged at her. “If you want to stay in the Montgomery family, let’s see if you have what it takes.”
Aurora hadn’t planned on staying with the Montgomery family, but hearing Ivy, she smiled even more broadly. “Let’s see then. I’ll check if the room is ready.”
Since her presence so annoyed Ivy and the others, why not flaunt herself in front of them every day?
Saying this, she grabbed her handbag, ready to go upstairs. The plush toy cat Ivy had dropped earlier lay on the floor, which she stepped over without a glance, not bothering with the cautious demeanor she had earlier.
Seeing her go upstairs, Ivy was seething. “Mom, she’s not really going to stay here, is she? I don’t want to see her!”
“You think I want this?” Genevieve responded unhappily. “She is different from before. We must deal with her carefully.”
“So what if her personality has changed a bit? In this house, she is still just one person against us. With a little trickery, we can handle her.”
Genevieve shook her head. “No, there’s another person, a very influential one!”
They exchanged looks, knowing who she meant. “Mom, you mean Grandpa Montgomery!”
“Exactly. He still holds significant power. We’ve just recently gotten to a point where he’s loosened up a bit and let you into the Montgomery family, but then Aurora comes back at this critical moment.”
From Aurora’s behavior, Genevieve was sure Aurora had come for revenge!
Sir Montgomery had always been waiting for Aurora, and if he knew about her return, it might just disrupt his original plans.
“How are we going to handle this? Grandpa Montgomery has always favored her since we were children, hardly noticing us. Now, are we even more out of luck?” Zachary slumped onto the sofa, his spirits low.
Genevieve frowned. “It’s still your fault, both of you. You know he has been secretly investigating you, and yet you mess around outside. If you had made a good impression, would we be in this situation now?”
“Mom, you’re one to talk. You haven’t been shy about using Dad’s credit card, and Grandpa would know as soon as he checks the spending records,” Ivy retorted.
In short, they were no different, a scourge to the Montgomery family, offering no benefits whatsoever.
“It looks like we need to act fast. Later, you two go pick some fine wine from your dad’s cellar. Tomorrow, we’ll go see your grandpa, and remember, you must behave well in front of him.”
“Got it. What about Aurora?”
“I’ll take care of her. From now on, you all need to be careful not to show any hints in front of your dad. We’ll find a way to drive her away behind his back,” Genevieve said with malice.
“Alright, I’ll make arrangements. Since she dared to move in, I’ll make sure she can’t leave!” Zachary remembered how Aurora injured his hand the night before.
Aurora had just returned to her room, which was arranged just as she had left it.
On the night she turned eighteen, her birthday party was held at Montgomery Manor, not this villa.
This place held all the memories of her youth, filled with stories about her and Hayden. Thinking back to her innocent past, she couldn’t help but smirk at herself.
“Alright, you can go. I’ll handle the rest myself,” Aurora dismissed Maren.
“Yes, miss.”
After locking the door, Aurora played a recording on her phone, and Genevieve’s voice clearly emerged.
“Look who’s here. Our dear daughter of the house finally returns after three years. What brought you back today?”
“Don’t think that staying a few years in America could change anything. Aurora, I drove your mother to her death and sent you to America, and I can just as easily drive you out of the Montgomery family. If you behave, I’ll give you money to go far away, as long as you promise never to return.”
Aurora snickered as she cut off the recording. She could edit the beginning, leaving only the most crucial part.
Of course, she wasn’t going to play this recording lightly. She knew very well that Genevieve and Magnus had been together for over a decade.
Just a recording wouldn’t be enough to completely bring her down. At most, it would anger Magnus briefly before they reconciled.
This wouldn’t be a wasted opportunity. Aurora wasn’t foolish. She would slowly gather strength and, in a grand reveal, drive them completely out of the Montgomery family.
She put away the recording, lying on her bed and twirling her hair. If she wasn’t mistaken, Genevieve was probably panicking now.
What they feared most wasn’t her but her grandfather. If he sided with her, Ivy and Zachary’s chances of entering the Montgomery family would be doomed.
Aurora’s lips curled into a cold smile. “The game is just starting. I’ll make them pay.”