“Aurora, it’s you again. Why are you so persistent? Haven’t you already made it into the company? Isn’t that enough for you? You framed me before, and now you’re doing these disgusting things to Ivy. Haven’t you done enough?” Zachary stopped playing his game and stood up to speak.
“Enough? You’re underestimating me. Joining the company was my right, and the only thing that will satisfy me is seeing you leave the Montgomery family.”
“How dare you? Who do you think you are? You are a daughter of the Montgomery family, just as we are its flesh and blood. You think too highly if you expect us to leave,” Zachary retorted angrily.
Aurora simply smiled without a word, only giving Genevieve a deep look that made her feel utterly exposed.
It seemed as if Aurora knew everything, even the deepest secrets that Genevieve had hidden.
That was impossible. Only Paul and she knew about that incident from years ago. How could Aurora possibly know?
Even so, Genevieve felt a sense of unease she couldn’t explain.
“Madam, miss, dinner is ready,” the nanny announced.
“I’m not hungry,” Genevieve replied, her heart uneasy, unable to think of eating.
“Me neither!” Zachary went straight back to his room.
“Good, I’m hungry,” said Aurora, pleased to see them too upset to eat. She enjoyed her meal thoroughly, the most pleasant she had had alone.
After finishing, she didn’t forget to take a meal up to Magnus.
“Dad, dinner is ready.”
“I don’t want to eat,” Magnus replied, too upset to think about food, disappointed in Genevieve and tired of their children’s antics.
“You need to eat something. You have to take care of yourself, nobody else will pity you if you starve. I’ve made your favorite,” Aurora insisted, placing the bowl in front of him.
Seeing Aurora’s smiling face, Magnus felt even more bitter.
“Aurora…”
“Dad, don’t worry. I was forced to fend for myself when I left home for three years. I had to make myself strong; I’m not like them.”
“You lived the same life as them when you were young; why are you so sensible?” Magnus was still in the dark.
Aurora’s smile briefly turned cold at his words before she quickly composed herself.
“Dad, I was not like them. I have been away from home for three years and I was completely on my own.”
She did not continue. After all, timing was also important. If some dishes were served too early, they might get cold when the main course could be ready.
“That’s true. Seeing how excellent you’ve become makes me very proud. If Victoria could see you, she would be happy too,” Magnus said, patting her shoulder.
“Dad, speaking of mom, I’ve been dreaming about her a lot lately.”
“What do you dream about? Does she still blame me?” Magnus asked, agitated, having never dreamt of her despite his longing.
“She’s as gentle and beautiful as when I was a child. She braids my hair every morning, makes your breakfast, and straightens your tie. It’s as if she never left. Her smile is so tender,” Aurora said, her face full of longing as if still immersed in her dream.
“Really? Was she actually smiling?”
“Yes, she was smiling, very happily. She stood at the bedroom door telling me to get up for school, and at the entrance, bidding you off to work.
In this house, I feel like mom has never left; she’s always been with us.
But… it was just a dream after all, wasn’t it? Mom would be so sad knowing that another woman has moved into her room after she died, using her wardrobe, wearing her shoes, sleeping in her bed, doing everything she once did,” Aurora sighed.
Genevieve knew exactly what she was up to; it was merely a stalling tactic, hoping to stay longer with the Montgomery family to find an opportunity to make amends.
Once Magnus softens his heart, she could comfortably remain in the Montgomery family.
The paternity test results weren’t out yet, and Ivy and Zachary couldn’t be driven away, but Genevieve had to be expelled.
She imagined how Ivy and Zachary would look then; it must be quite the sight.
Hearing her, Magnus felt a deep sorrow, “Yes, even someone as gentle as she would be angered.
How could she tolerate someone else possessing everything of hers, including her husband? She must still blame me, that’s why she’s never appeared in my dreams.”
“Dad, these are just daydreams and night thoughts, don’t worry.
But what about Genevieve and Paul? Are you just going to let that go? She committed the most unforgivable act in a marriage.”
Aurora’s cleverness lay in her indirect approach. Initially, she set the stage by immersing Magnus in guilt over her mother.
Then, leveraging his guilt, she brought up Genevieve, ensuring his feelings were different.
“Let it go? Wishful thinking. I can never forgive her in this lifetime. I didn’t bring it up earlier for fear of affecting the children’s futures.
Now that both children have successfully entered the company, there will be no more ties between her and me,” Magnus said, abruptly standing.
“Dad, where are you going? You haven’t even had dinner,” Aurora asked knowingly.
“I’m going to do what needs to be done.” Magnus left quickly, and Aurora made a show of trying to stop him but let him go.
Once Magnus was gone, Aurora tidied up the dishes and casually scooped up a spoonful of soup, only to lazily pour it back.
Watching the ripples on the calm surface, her lips curled into a mischievous smile.
Chaos, perfect chaos.
As Magnus entered, Genevieve had just finished bathing and come out. These days, Magnus had been staying in the study; this was the first time he had initiated entering the bedroom.
Men have needs, she thought joyfully, seeing an opportunity.
She was wearing only a silk nightgown, stopping herself from putting on a robe as she turned around with a radiant smile, “Magnus…” her voice almost sickeningly sweet.
Magnus’s expression hardened, the more enchanting Genevieve appeared before him, the more he was reminded of her serving another man in the same way, in their own bedroom. His face grew even darker.
“Genevieve, it’s time for you to keep your promise,” his cold tone made Genevieve very nervous.
“What promise?”
“Stop pretending, you said once the children joined the company, you would leave on your own. Leave now, don’t force me to throw you out!”