Aurora’s greatest strength lay in her ability to never speak ill of Ivy or Genevieve. Instead, she presented facts from an objective standpoint, making her words feel comfortable and believable on a subconscious level. Magnus also wanted to promote Ivy, but lamented her lack of initiative, saying, “It’s true, she has never faced hardship. Look at her now, spoiled to a fault. She’s untouchable, whether it’s scolding or speaking kindly, she just throws a tantrum. It’s really troublesome.”
“Father, if it’s just about knowledge, that can be learned, but if her attitude is wrong, there’s nothing that can be done,” Aurora argued.
“Ivy still sees herself as a little princess, different from everyone else. She never really considered studying hard. In the office, she creates cliques, trying to oust me from the manager’s position. She’s my sister, and I could overlook these things, but I can’t agree to give her the manager’s job. It’s not a huge role but it’s not minor either; it involves dealing with daily trivial and busy work. She spends her days at the company eating snacks, playing games, and watching dramas. How can I be at ease?”
“Aurora, you are right. This girl really is out of control. So, who do you think should take the manager’s position?” Magnus asked, swayed by Aurora’s reasoning.
“For now, I haven’t become vice president yet. Before the handover, I’ll consider the selection for the manager carefully. Dad, you don’t have to worry about it.”
“Aurora, I trust you to handle this. Alright, it’s getting late. You’ve signed such a big contract for the company today, I think you deserve a day off. Go home and rest,” Magnus said, patting Aurora on the shoulder.
“Yes.”
Since she was about to be promoted to vice president, and the manager’s position wasn’t too demanding, Aurora accepted Magnus’s kind offer and left with her bag.
Previously, Julian always picked up Aurora from work. Today, she wanted to surprise him by quietly waiting for him to finish work. It was a peculiar feeling, filled with a sense of freshness, as it was her first time visiting Julian’s company. Standing beneath the towering skyscraper, she imagined him standing at the top, overlooking everything below like an emperor in an unreachable height, aloof and solitary.
Reflecting on his tragic childhood and how he had built up the company to this magnitude, she knew he had faced many challenges. With these thoughts, Aurora entered the building, but she forgot one detail. As soon as she reached the lobby, a receptionist approached her, “Miss, may I ask who you are looking for?”
“I’m looking for Mr. Barnet.”
Aurora initially wanted to say Julian, but then remembered they didn’t know her, and it might seem strange to address him so informally.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“Uh… no.”
Normally, Julian looked after her so well that she never thought about what it would be like if she were not Aurora, just a stranger who couldn’t even see him.
“Miss, I’m sorry, but without an appointment, you can’t meet Mr. Barnet. He’s very busy. Please, you’ll have to leave,” the receptionist said with a smile that had turned cold, mistaking Aurora for another opportunist.
Aurora could have called Rocky, but hearing that Julian was busy, she decided not to disturb him.
“Can I wait for him in the lobby? If he comes down, could you please let him know I’m waiting for him?” Aurora politely asked, not wanting to take advantage of her relationship with Julian.
“Whatever you want,” the receptionist glanced at her and returned to her post. Aurora wondered what Julian’s expression would be when he saw her after work.
The lobby was filled with magazines, and she casually picked up a few to browse through until she fell asleep unintentionally. When Julian came down the elevator, the first thing he saw was a familiar petite figure.
Aurora was deeply nestled into the soft sofa, sleeping so soundly that she didn’t even notice his approach.
“Sir, there’s a…”
The receptionist noticed Julian and immediately primped her hair and moved closer.
Julian didn’t pause; he walked straight to Aurora and draped his coat over her.
It was already autumn, and this girl seemed utterly unafraid of catching a cold. Did she really think she was made of iron?
The receptionist swallowed her words, having never seen the boss treat any woman with such tenderness.
Especially the way he looked at her, his eyes brimming with tender affection as if he wanted to melt her into his arms, even the receptionist nearby could feel the intense love.
Aurora, still groggy, opened her eyes and saw a familiar face.
For a moment, she forgot where she was.
“Julian…”
“Go back to sleep,” Julian cooed softly, and Aurora obediently closed her eyes again.
Julian watched her peaceful sleeping face, a slight smile forming on his lips as he carried her back to the car.
The receptionist stood there dumbfounded, watching her boss tenderly carry the woman away, clearly a couple with a deep relationship.
“Um… Rocky, who was that just now?”
“Why even ask? How long has she been here?”
“About two and a half hours. I asked if she had an appointment, and she said she didn’t,” the receptionist instinctively felt afraid.
“That woman will soon be the boss’s wife. Next time you see her, better be smart. Just now, if it weren’t for the boss not wanting to wake her, he would have spoken, and you would have been in trouble,” Rocky advised.
Others might not know, but Rocky was well aware of Julian’s feelings for Aurora.
“The boss’s wife? Rocky, I didn’t know, she didn’t say,” the receptionist was terrified.
“Keep your eyes open next time.”
“Yes.”
Aurora was unaware that her nap had caused such a stir, making everyone anxious about possibly being fired.
Now, she was nestled in Julian’s arms like a little bunny curled into a ball.
She slept well, not waking up even when they got out of the car and Julian knocked on the door.
As soon as the door opened, a head popped out: “Ta-da-surprise!” Phil held his cheeks with his hands, resembling a blooming sunflower.
At his shout, Aurora immediately woke up from her dream.
“Phil?” She rubbed her eyes and stepped out of Julian’s arms.
“Aurora, I heard you landed a big order today. I asked the butler to prepare a feast to celebrate for you.”
“How did you know about the order?” Aurora was puzzled; the news hadn’t been spread yet.
“Of course, I saw it on my cousin’s contract; he gave them two plots of land…”
“Stop talking nonsense, get inside!” Julian glared at him.