Ivy returned to the villa with Genevieve, who was visibly furious. “How could you fail at such a simple task? Can’t you even seduce a man?” she scolded.
Ivy looked aggrieved. “Mom, it’s not that I can’t, but Julian is different,” she explained.
“Men are all the same. They can’t resist a beautiful woman. If he resisted, it’s because you weren’t tempting enough, not because he has strong willpower,” Genevieve retorted, her logic skewed from unknown sources.
“It’s all because of that bitchy Aurora. Julian’s completely enchanted by her and doesn’t even notice me,” Ivy complained, stomping her foot in frustration.
“No matter what, we must win Julian over. If we have him as our trump card, we’ll finally solidify our position in the Montgomery family,” Genevieve said, determined to have Ivy conquer Julian.
Zachary, overhearing their plan, found it somewhat tedious. “I’m heading out,” he announced abruptly.
“Don’t just wander off. Find yourself a formidable girlfriend,” Genevieve commanded, cornered by Aurora in recent years and unable to bring her down.
“Got it,” Zachary replied, visibly impatient, and left after changing his clothes.
Meanwhile, Ivy went back to her room to catch up on some sleep. Seeing her children like this, Genevieve felt helpless. If only they had half her capability, she wouldn’t have to worry.
It was the weekend, and Aurora and Julian were indeed staying at Montgomery Manor, keeping Oswaldo company.
Julian and Oswaldo got along exceptionally well, as if they were long-lost friends, sharing similar likes and dislikes.
They both adored Aurora and disliked Joaquin. Oswaldo shared numerous embarrassing stories from Joaquin’s youth.
“Grandpa, that’s enough,” Aurora laughed, covering her mouth. After hearing those stories, she doubted she could ever look at the stern Joaquin the same way again.
“Alright, I’ll stop,” Oswaldo said, his mood brightening. “How wonderful it would be if you were my grandson. Too bad you were born in the wrong family,” he lamented, growing even fonder of Julian.
“Grandpa, do you dislike me that much?” Aurora protested playfully.
“Why are you upset? I like both of you,” he chuckled.
“If I were born into the Montgomery family, then I wouldn’t be able to be with Aurora, would I?” Julian mused.
“That’s true. I accept you as my grandson-in-law. Aurora has good taste, not like that rascal Hayden, whom I don’t care for,” Oswaldo laughed heartily.
They spent the entire day with Oswaldo, and only when night fell did Aurora help him upstairs. She had just come down when someone embraced her from behind.
“Julian, don’t…”
“Your dad and the others have left, and everyone else has gone to bed. Now, in this vast house, we’re the only ones awake. What’s there to fear?” Julian effortlessly pinned Aurora against the staircase.
The two kissed their way from the hallway into the room.
“What do you plan to do about this situation?”
“They brought it upon themselves. I can’t be blamed. Although Grandfather intends for me to inherit the company, Genevieve has ulterior motives. On the surface, she wants to push Zachary and Ivy into internships at the company, but her real aim is to gradually seize control. Grandfather plans to place them in managerial positions. Even though they are under me, I don’t want them to get their way. It looks like I need to take some action.”
Aurora clearly already had a plan in mind, calmly speaking.
“As far as I know, apart from your dad, there are two vice presidents in Montgomery Group with considerable power,” Julian said, though his fingers were playfully wandering over Aurora.
“Are you talking about Sean Flegg? He’s quite close to my dad and favored by my grandfather. The other one is Paul, a distant relative of the Montgomery family. He’s quite capable, but his personal life is a mess, completely susceptible to beauty. I heard he changes secretaries more often than his clothes.”
Aurora had done her homework before coming back and was surprised Julian was also so well informed.
“Paul is quite involved with Genevieve. If Ivy and Zachary enter the company, he’ll probably take special care of them.”
“So she has already paved the way for them. Then I definitely can’t let them succeed.”
“What are you going to do?” Julian’s lips moved closer to her ear.
“The slander from Genevieve really angered Grandfather. I suspect his opinion is starting to waver. Now is the time for me to strike a final blow, and their dreams of rising to the top will remain just dreams.”
“How?”
“Zachary and Ivy are already troublemakers. All I need to do is push things along from the shadows.”
“Leave it to me.” Julian took out his phone and showed her a map. Aurora saw a small triangle symbol at the Whispers, a well-known nightclub in Clothville.
“What’s this?”
“Just a tracker I installed when I was bored. Zachary’s currently at the Whispers. I know the owner there. Do you want me to give a little push?” Julian had always been supportive of Aurora.
With him handling it, she wouldn’t need to lift a finger. “Sure.”
“So how will you repay me?” Julian smiled at her.
“Will this repayment satisfy you?” Aurora took the initiative, reaching for his neck and her lips met his.