After dinner, Aurora and Julian decided to go back home as she wanted to collect Ivy and Zachary’s hair as soon as possible. Julian, sensing her intentions, gladly agreed and dropped her off outside the Montgomery family villa, cautioning her to “be careful.”
“I know, you go back and sleep. I won’t return tonight,” Aurora said.
“Okay.”
Even though they were together every day, at that moment, they felt an undeniable reluctance to part ways. Julian pulled her into his arms and kissed her fiercely. “Little Bunny, what kind of spell have you cast on me? I miss you already, even though we haven’t parted yet.”
Wrapped in his tender affection, Aurora, long accustomed to his scent and embrace, questioned, “Why? I’m not going to die. We’ll meet again tomorrow anyway.”
“Alright.” With that, Julian finally let go of her hand.
He watched her enter the villa before he left, feeling as if she possessed some magic that made it unbearable to be apart from her even for a moment. Aurora felt as if she was transported back to her high school days, enveloped daily by love, which made her forget the trials she faced with the Montgomery family.
Even if no one else loved her in the world, she still had Hayden by her side, and now, Julian’s affection for her far surpassed Hayden’s. At least now, her obsession with Susan and Hayden had diminished, and the hatred in her heart was gradually subsiding, proving that Julian had been changing her, bit by bit. Perhaps life now wasn’t so bad.
Warmth in her heart, Aurora returned to the Montgomery family home and noticed an extra pair of men’s leather shoes at the entrance-clearly belonging to a middle-aged man, a style Zachary would never wear.
Had someone visited the house? Aurora changed her shoes and entered the hall, immediately spotting a man sitting on the sofa-it was Paul!
Seeing him, Aurora recalled the unpleasant scene she had witnessed at the office that afternoon of him with Genevieve, which was rather distasteful. Paul had quite the nerve, she thought, having been involved with her father’s woman and now showing up at their house.
“Anne…” Paul looked towards the door, unaware of Aurora’s identity.
“Dad, I’m back,” Aurora addressed Magnus, who was visibly happy to see her.
“Aurora, you’re back! Come and sit. This is your Uncle Paul, you met him today at the office,” Magnus introduced.
Only then did Paul remember that Magnus had a daughter who had gone to America years ago, and Anne had just returned from there. No wonder he felt she looked familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before. The little girl he remembered had grown up so much. “You’re Aurora?”
“Uncle Paul, long time no see,” Aurora approached him, pretending to be unaware of his misdeeds.
She thought to herself that his arrival was timely, as she could now collect both Paul’s and Zachary’s hair.
“You’re no longer that little girl. I used to hold you when you were this small. You’ve grown up to be so beautiful,” Paul greeted her warmly.
“The child looks like her mother,” Magnus remarked, somehow seeing the woman’s image in Aurora. Aurora resembled her mother by about eighty percent, prompting Magnus to observe her more closely, the more he looked, the more she reminded him of that woman, reminiscent of the time when he first met her, much like Aurora now.
More than a decade had passed in a blink, and she had forever disappeared into her own world, never having the chance for regrets again. A sharp “snap” of a ceramic plate hitting the floor echoed from the kitchen doorway.
Genevieve, carrying a freshly cut plate of fruit, entered just in time to hear these words from Magnus. Her interruption jolted Magnus from his reverie; seeing the displeasure on Genevieve’s face, he quickly composed himself.
Aurora gave Genevieve a cold look. Her father was good in many ways but terribly indecisive. If he had been more resolute back then, not so weak-willed, things might not have turned out this way. He wouldn’t be led around by Genevieve, and her mother, being exceedingly kind, had never thought to contend for anything, allowing Genevieve to exploit the situation.
Fortunately, she had uncovered the truth and would soon be able to kick Genevieve out of the Montgomery family for good! “I slipped; I’ll go make another plate,” Genevieve said, turning to leave. Paul watched her sway away, a lecherous smirk forming as he thought, *What a shapely behind on that wretched woman*. Aurora caught his leering look, sensing yet another drama unfolding. This time, she wouldn’t need to lift a finger; Genevieve would sabotage herself!
“By the way, cousin, since Aurora has already joined the company, why haven’t you announced her position? I almost mistook her today,” Paul inquired. “What, Aurora has joined the company?” Genevieve, who had been halfway out, spun around and returned, her face a mask of shock.
“Yes, Grandfather had arranged it early on, but I only officially started today. Why are you so agitated? Don’t you want me in the company?” Aurora asked with a smile. Magnus looked toward Genevieve, who quickly forced a smile, “Oh, how could that be? I was just surprised. I thought you were still a student like Ivy, not yet ready to join the company.”
“Speaking of which, they’re almost due for internships. Haven’t they come to the company yet?” Aurora asked knowingly, intending to upset Genevieve. She probably felt now as she had years ago when she deliberately agitated her pregnant mother. Indeed, what goes around comes around. Did Genevieve ever imagine she’d be treated this way herself, given her past misdeeds? Aurora would never forgive her for those actions in her lifetime!
“Hehe, Grandfather hasn’t arranged it yet. We’re not in a hurry; it’s good to learn more at school,” Genevieve replied awkwardly, clearly anxious, especially since Aurora was now in the company and she was still busy covering up for the useless Zachary. Why did she have to have such worthless children!
“That’s true. I heard they failed many subjects and might need to retake exams next semester. It’s best they study well now to avoid missing out on their diplomas,” Aurora said, seemingly kindly but inwardly delighted at seeing Genevieve turn pale. “What, they failed many subjects!” Magnus’s face fell upon hearing this; he had never paid much attention to their academics. “Dad, you didn’t know? I thought you were aware,” Aurora said, feigning a slip of the tongue, infuriating Genevieve to the point of grinding her teeth.