Previously, Aurora didn’t mind Julian’s possessiveness, considering it simply a manifestation of his love for her. However, when he started being wary even of his own cousin, Aurora found it difficult to understand. Did he not trust her, or was he just overly cautious? Aurora herself was a person with a high sense of self-esteem.
In her view, Julian’s following her was a sign of disrespect, an indication that he doubted her fidelity. Aurora had never quarreled with Julian before, nor had she experienced arguments with others. When she was with Hayden, he never showed any anger towards her.
Back then, the school environment was more relaxed, and there weren’t such complexities. Hayden had a good temper, and they never had any disputes.
This was the first time Aurora got angry with Julian. With a cold face, she said, “I’m a bit tired, I’m going to sleep first.” She wanted to calm down before she said something hurtful in her anger.
Julian stretched out his hand, trying to hold her back, but seeing her walk away, he probably realized that nothing he said would make a difference at that moment. He watched Aurora slowly ascend the stairs, frustratedly tugging at his tie and irritably lighting a cigarette.
He really wanted to love her properly, but how did he mess things up? He dialed a number, and Rocky’s voice came through, “President, what can I do for you?”
“How’s the investigation on Eric going?” Julian exhaled a plume of smoke deeply.
“President, it’s quite complicated, and a day might not be enough,” Rocky had been running around all day and still hadn’t fully figured it out.
Julian knew there had to be something intriguing when things got complicated; his instincts were usually right. “What kind of complicated?” he asked coldly.
Rocky could sense the unusual irritation in Julian’s voice. “I found out that Eric and the Montgomery family aren’t close at all. I thought it was strange, so I investigated further. It turns out that over twenty years ago, Paul’s child died in the hospital, and to spare his wife the heartache, he found another baby to replace him. This baby is now known as Eric, and I can confirm he is not a member of the Montgomery family, but his true identity is still under investigation. The case is quite old with few leads, so I can’t provide precise information right now,” Rocky was very meticulous.
Julian stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. Knowing this much made things easier; Eric wasn’t Aurora’s cousin after all. He had approached Aurora as a man from the start, and since she was focused on securing a business deal, she overlooked many things. She saw Eric as her cousin, not considering any romantic implications, which wasn’t her fault.
“Have you found anything else?” Julian lit another cigarette, knowing just this information wasn’t enough. Aurora was angry now, and simply telling her that Eric wasn’t Paul’s son wouldn’t be effective. It would only make sense if she could see Eric’s true intentions for herself.
Julian was agitated, but his mind remained clear. He had a sharp understanding of human nature. “I also found out that Eric went to study in the United States for college, attending the same university as Jason. They were quite close, but there’s something odd,” Rocky was not without reason for being Julian’s right hand.
He was not just a secretary handling documents for Julian; he was someone with independent thought and had his own opinions on many matters.
“How strange is it?”
“Since Jason is the president of Luminary’s branch office, I specifically checked-Luminary has no connection with the Gilpin family.
Luminary was rooted in the United States from the start and only began to expand into our country this year. So, how come Eric, who is so close to Jason, does not hold a position at the company?
Eric only returned to the country three years ago to become a mere finance manager at Montgomery Group, but his capabilities extend far beyond that. I just can’t figure it out.”
Hearing Rocky’s somewhat strange mutterings, Julian’s eyes darkened, “I know what’s going on.”
“President, what?” Rocky was still puzzled, having searched all day without a clue, and now Julian seemed to understand just from a little information?
“The president of Luminary’s main company has always been very mysterious. What if I told you Eric is that mysterious president?
He’s not absent from Luminary; he’s the controlling person. That would explain everything,” Julian thought of the first time he saw him.
Eric looked at him and Aurora getting cozy, a spark of interest flickering in his eye-the kind of look that only a superior possesses.
It was that look that made Julian feel odd, as a mere finance manager would never possess such an expression or gaze.
“Right, how did I not think of this? President, I’ll continue the investigation right away and uncover his true identity,” Rocky said excitedly, hanging up the phone.
He was frustrated with no leads, but thankfully, Julian’s insight gave him a good clue to work with.
After hanging up, Julian continuously smoked one cigarette after another. Although he now knew there was something off about Eric, the challenge was how to make Aurora see Eric clearly.
Aurora returned to her room alone and brooding, took a bath, and saw her body covered in marks he left.
That crazy man, especially when she thought about the moments they shared that led to those marks, her heartbeat quickened.
Damn it, she must be poisoned by him.
After she cleaned up, her anger subsided significantly, although Julian’s approach had been wrong, his concern was not misplaced.
Aurora wasn’t as angry as before; she changed into her pajamas and went downstairs, expecting him to still be in the living room.
But the room was empty except for the full ashtray of cigarette butts.
“Julian?” Aurora called out in the house but realized he had already left.
His shoes were no longer by the hallway, and his car was gone from outside; the neighboring villa was dark, showing he did not stay the night.
Aurora stood at the doorstep, feeling unsettled-had he left in anger?
Recalling his cautious, hesitant expression earlier, Aurora suddenly felt very uncomfortable; she didn’t want it to be this way.
The night wind tousled her hair, and she shivered in her thin nightgown.
At that moment, she inexplicably longed for his warm embrace-was he angry?