Genevieve clutched the carpet, a cold glint in her eyes: “Aurora, I will never let you go!”
At that moment, Aurora had just finished bathing at Montgomery Manor. In the past, Julian would have pounced on her by now, but today he was tied up playing chess with Grandpa Montgomery and couldn’t escape.
Only when the night grew deep did Grandpa Montgomery finally release him. He returned to his room and saw the woman in the bed canopy sleeping sweetly.
“Little Bunny, I’ll spare you tonight,” he said with an indulgent smile, knowing Aurora had had a tiring day and not wanting to wake her.
He silently finished his nightly routine and lay down beside her. Aurora, as if sensing his presence, instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist and slept soundly.
“Sleep well, Little Bunny,” he whispered, kissing her forehead before drifting off to sleep himself.
With Julian by her side, Aurora slept peacefully, free from the nightmares that often plagued her.
When she opened her eyes, the morning was bright, and the alarm clock rang punctually. Energetic, Aurora turned off the alarm, jumped out of bed barefoot, and opened the curtains.
Morning light streamed through the window, illuminating Aurora, who stretched lazily like a cat just awakened, her elegant back exposed, irresistibly enticing.
He gently embraced her from behind, “Good morning, little kitty.”
“Why am I a ‘little kitty’ again?” Aurora turned around, burying her head in his chest.
“The way you stretch is just like a cat-cute and sexy, irresistible,” Julian replied unabashedly.
Aurora sighed, “You are really a rogue hiding behind a handsome face.”
“As long as you are by my side, what does it matter if I am a rogue?”
“Alright, I’m going to wash up, or else I’ll be late,” Aurora said, gently pushing him away. Her mornings were particularly bright with him around.
“Mhm,” Julian let go of her.
After breakfast and saying goodbye to her grandfather, the couple headed to their own company to start the busy day.
As soon as Aurora entered her office, she noticed the changed glances from everyone-she was familiar with this look from her student days when she was the subject of gossip.
With a cold stare, everyone quickly returned to their desks, but Aurora could still feel their gazes as she sat in her glass office.
In the break room, two people were preparing coffee, “Hey, did you hear how our manager got into the company?”
“How could I not? The whole company is talking about it. I always wondered how she got the manager position so young without an interview; turns out it’s good to have powerful connections.”
“No wonder she dared to confront Alison on her first day. I said she wasn’t even afraid of the deputy manager; turns out she’s attached to the president.”
“Wow, that really is a surprise. I thought she got the opportunity because of her strong abilities, looks like I thought too much.”
“That’s how society works, pity about my poor proposal. I rewrote it three times and it still wasn’t approved, not sure how someone clinging to coattails has the confidence to question my proposal.”
As more people came in, the conversation grew more animated, “Seriously though, who do you think is better in bed, her or Alison? She actually managed to conquer our president, who has probably been the most resistant to temptation in the company for years, unlike the deputy who flirts around.”
However, who would have thought? He still fell into the hands of a young girl. I heard they brazenly tugged and hugged each other in the hallway.”
“Oh, many girls nowadays have sugar daddies; it’s not really surprising. Look at our manager, with that figure, she definitely… haha,” the gossip-hungry spirits of the group were rekindled after being suppressed for days.
The small break room was livelier than the office itself, as everyone chattered away as if at a tea party.
“What exactly is she definitely?” A cool voice suddenly interjected.
“She definitely… Man… Manager!” The person who replied was scared out of their wits, and instantly everyone else came to their senses. When had Aurora been standing there?
Aurora finally understood why everyone had been looking at her that way; these people were even gossiping about her and her own father, which was probably the most ridiculous thing.
The previously bustling break room fell silent instantly, so quiet that even the person filling water forgot to turn off the tap, allowing water to overflow from the dispenser.
Aurora stepped forward to take a cup of boiling water. “It seemed quite lively just now; did I interrupt you?”
At this point, who dared to answer? Everyone was cowering as if trying to shrink their heads into their chests.
“What did I say on my first day?” Aurora asked lightly, without showing anger.
Silence ensued; no one dared to be the spokesperson, all clamped their mouths shut, fearing being dragged into the fray.
“Speak!” Aurora slammed her cup down beside her, startling many.
“The manager said the office is not a place for chatting, and gossip is especially forbidden during work hours,” someone clearly repeated Aurora’s words.
Everyone turned to look, and it was Heather who had spoken up. She had heard plenty of unpleasant rumors but had warned everyone not to spread falsehoods.
Her advice had little effect; no one listened, and the rumors had worsened, leading to this direct confrontation.
“Mrs. Lyman, have you finished your report?” Aurora coldly turned to the previously animated Mrs. Lyman.
“I, I’ll go write it now.” She was anxious for a chance to leave, and hearing Aurora’s words, she quickly took the opportunity to escape.
“Stop, don’t bother writing the report,” Aurora’s cool voice followed.
Mrs. Lyman thought Aurora was about to fire her, shaking all over, “Manager, I know I was wrong, I have elderly parents and young children to support, please don’t fire me!”
Aurora’s lips curled into a smile at her panicked appearance, a smile that sent shivers down one’s spine.
“Mrs. Lyman, what are you thinking? When did I ever say I was going to fire you?”
“Then… what do you mean?”
Aurora glanced around at the eight people in the room. “Heather, go buy a hundred pounds of popcorn and some fruit, remember how I said if you want to hold a tea party, I’d buy you snacks and prepare tea for you?”
“Huh?” Heather was stunned; was this really happening? The manager was not only not punishing them but buying them popcorn?
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what Aurora was really planning.
“What are you waiting for? Go on.”
“Yes, yes.” Heather dared not question Aurora’s order and hurried off.