Throughout the journey, Aurora’s heart was fraught with anxiety. Ever since she was a child, even when she inadvertently broke her grandfather’s prized orchid, he had never spoken to her in such a stern tone.
Julian glanced at her and noticed her preoccupied look. “Don’t worry,” he reassured her, “From what I know of Oswaldo, he’s not as clueless as your father.”
Though he had been without Aurora for three years, he had meticulously investigated her family during that time.
“Even so, I still feel uneasy. My grandfather has never spoken in such a tone,” Aurora said, her brows furrowed and eyes filled with nervousness.
Julian could only comfort her, given that it was a family matter for Aurora, and Oswaldo hadn’t revealed the truth over the phone. Even Julian was in the dark about what had transpired.
Amidst her unease, the car gradually entered Montgomery Manor. Aurora checked the time. It was just past ten, nearly eleven.
Oswaldo had always been an early riser and an early sleeper, very routine in his habits. Julian held her somewhat cold hand. “Aurora, let me go with you.”
He couldn’t bear to see Aurora so tense, fearing she might get hurt.
“It’s okay. I haven’t done anything wrong, and it’s not like they’re going to kill me. It’s getting late, and I probably won’t be home today. You go back and rest. I’ll call you after I’ve handled everything,” Aurora said, releasing his hand.
“Alright, be careful.” He could only offer her these words of comfort.
Aurora stepped out of the car and walked towards the villa. The butler, already waiting by the door, gave her a look that signaled her to be cautious.
As she entered the living room, she saw not only Oswaldo but also Magnus, Genevieve, Ivy, and Zachary.
Genevieve and the others wore expressions of schadenfreude. Aurora didn’t know what was going on before, but seeing Genevieve’s expression gave her some clues.
She recalled all the mischievous acts of her past, none of which had ever elicited a word of reprimand from Oswaldo. Yet now, he sat there, stern and upright.
This expression was familiar to her. It reminded her of comic books where a wicked stepmother whispered something to her husband and wore a similar expression.
Thinking back, her grandfather had always been protective of her. It seemed his change in demeanor had occurred after she left.
Aurora introspected, certain she had done nothing to harm or disgrace the Montgomery family. The only conclusion she could draw was that Genevieve must have spoken ill of her to Oswaldo.
With this realization, Aurora relaxed, the tension visibly dissipated as a sweet smile played across her lips.
“Grandpa, why are you still up so late? You have a heart condition, and the doctor told you to go to bed early. Couldn’t whatever it is wait until another day? Your health is what’s most important.”
With a light step, Aurora moved towards Oswaldo. Her sweet smile deepened the confusion in Oswaldo’s eyes.
“You’re back, Aurora. I thought you were out messing around with some guy and weren’t planning to come home tonight,” Ivy chimed in at that moment.
“Aurora, you are a precious daughter of the Montgomery family. Your every word and action represents us. Please, don’t do anything that would bring shame to the Montgomery family.” Zachary seized the moment to try and corner her.
“Aurora, look what you’ve done! Admit your mistakes and apologize now!” Genevieve caught Aurora in a carefree mood, likely trying to deceive Oswaldo. She knew she had to act first.
If Aurora really panicked, she would allow Genevieve to use the opportunity to suppress her. However, Aurora had already anticipated Genevieve’s intentions.
Genevieve wanted to suppress Aurora before she entered the company, aiming to elevate her own children. What a well-played strategy, but unfortunately, she met her match in Aurora.
How could Aurora let Genevieve succeed? A battle between the two was inevitable.
It must have been some harsh words she spoke in front of Oswaldo that infuriated him, as his reputation was what he valued most in life.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have continued to deny Genevieve, who as a mistress broke up a family, a deed he found utterly disgraceful.
“Apologize? I’ve done nothing wrong. Why would I?” Aurora retorted, finding the request quite absurd.
Oswaldo looked at her. “Shouldn’t you explain today’s events to me? What is your relationship with Julian?”
“Grandpa, Julian is the man I mentioned before, the one I’m currently in love with. Since it’s a recent development, I haven’t had time to tell you that.”
At this point, Aurora decided not to hide the truth any longer and openly admitted it.
Genevieve was somewhat surprised by Aurora’s frank admission, and Magnus looked very serious.
“But he has been engaged to Lindsay Gilpin. By doing this, you are the other woman!”
“You mentioned over the phone that you were living elsewhere. Where did the money for that house come from? You are an heiress to the Montgomery family. You must not do anything that disgraces our family!” Oswaldo spoke bluntly.
“I saw Aurora wearing jewelry designed by DO, but the allowance we give you couldn’t possibly cover such an expense. Where is the money coming from? Since Mr. Barnet already has a fiancee, are you perhaps being kept by him as a mistress?”
Ivy eagerly stirred the pot.
Oswaldo’s expression grew more severe when he said, “Aurora, if you didn’t have enough money, you could have just said so. Couldn’t the Montgomery family cover for you? If you engage in such indecent acts, I won’t let you off lightly.”
Aurora found it somewhat laughable. It was clear Genevieve had been relentlessly slandering her, even brainwashing Oswaldo.
“Grandpa, I told you. We only started recently, and I didn’t know about his fiancee beforehand. Even if he has one, it doesn’t affect our relationship because he…”
“So, you admit you knew he was engaged and still got involved with him?” Genevieve seized the chance to exacerbate the situation.
“What a disgrace. You know he has a fiancee and you still carry on with him! Aurora, you are a daughter of the Montgomery family. How could you commit such shameless acts? And he is Hayden’s uncle. Are you doing this to get back at Hayden? For a man, why degrade yourself, not valuing your own body? I’m very disappointed in you!” Oswaldo erupted in anger.
“I’m the one who should apologize.” A refined male voice intervened.