Aurora wasn’t concerned about the fruit knife in Zachary’s hand, but rather the woman clad in black, who possessed an icy demeanor just like the ones described in the newspapers. She subdued Zachary with a single move, her skills reminiscent of a SWAT team member as seen on TV. In her presence, Aurora felt that her own Taekwondo training was inadequate.
At that moment, Aurora couldn’t bother guessing whether the woman was her mother; as soon as she saw her, she lunged forward.
“Mom, you’re alive, you’re really still alive!”
Aurora clung to her like a koala, just as she had in her childhood, fearing that letting go would mean losing her mother again.
The onlookers were even more baffled. Everyone knew Aurora’s mother had died many years ago. How could she call a strange woman who appeared to be only in her thirties, ‘Mom’? Yet, their resemblance was uncanny, almost as if they were sisters.
It was then Oswaldo snapped out of Genevieve’s anger, “Victoria, where have you been all these years?”
“Mom, please don’t leave me again, okay? Mom, I’ve missed you.”
Tears streamed down Aurora’s face; she felt as if she were dreaming. Her mother had returned; it wasn’t just a dream.
Tina, observing her tear-streaked face, felt a turmoil inside her but had chosen a path long ago from which she could not turn back. Despite her strong self-control, revealing not a hint of emotion, she coldly pushed Aurora away, “Miss Montgomery, you have mistaken me for someone else.”
“Mom, you are my mother, I could never mistake you for anyone else. What’s wrong? Am I Aurora? Have you lost your memory?”
Aurora was overwhelmed with thoughts.
She must have amnesia; why else would she not visit her for so many years?
“Miss Montgomery, I know I look very much like your mother, but I’m sorry, I’m not her. I’ve heard she died many years ago. It’s understandable that you’re confused,” Tina explained indifferently.
Aurora then realized that this woman’s attire and demeanor were not her mother’s style. Her mother would never look at her so coldly or push her away.
“Then are you my mother’s sister?”
Aurora couldn’t believe someone could look so similar unless they were twins. Even twins wouldn’t have a birthmark of tears in the exact same spot and of the same size.
“I have no sisters, and I’ve lived in Chicago all my life,” Tina stepped back, “Erica, bring the gift I’ve prepared for Oswaldo.”
“Yes, ma’am,” another aloof woman in black stepped forward, handing Oswaldo a beautifully crafted box.
Seeing the box, which clearly contained a tea set, Aurora grabbed her hand, “If you’re not my mother, how did you know my grandfather likes tea?”
“Miss Montgomery, you’re mistaken about something. My visit to Clothville is for a project, specifically to collaborate with your Montgomery Group. I had already finalized the initial plans with Mr. Montgomery. I heard your family enjoys tea, which is why I had the tea set prepared,” she replied, her tone detached and distant, seemingly eager to avoid any connection with the Montgomery family.
Aurora, though filled with doubts, soon regained her composure.
The place was crowded and noisy, not suitable for discussing such matters. She regained her composure and said, “Madam, I am sorry, but you look so much like my mother that I mistook you for her in my longing.”
“Motherly love surpasses everything; I understand,” the lady replied.
“Alright, I am very tired today and need to return to my hotel to rest.”
Tina was about to turn away when Aurora seized her hand.
She could have pulled away, but whether intentionally or not, Aurora used her bandaged hand. Before Julian’s proposal, her hand had been uninjured. Now, in such a short time, it was wounded, with red blood stains on her white dress. She dared not make any sudden moves, fearing that too much force might hurt Aurora’s wound, so she let her hold on.
“Is there something else?”
she asked, turning to Aurora.
“Madam, since you resemble my mother so much, may I befriend you?”
Aurora was not about to let her leave easily.
“That’s possible, but I have a flight early tomorrow morning, and I fear there won’t be another chance to meet,” Tina said, her words tinged with detachment.
“Why not? Chicago isn’t far. I could visit you there,” Aurora insisted, not letting go.
“Erica, please give my business card to Miss Montgomery,” Tina said, somewhat helplessly.
Aurora took the card handed to her, noting its antique yet exquisite design. Curiously, it lacked any information about her company. It bore only her name and a phone number, and the logo on the card matched the ring on her finger.
This woman was shrouded in mystery. Was she really not her mother?
Upon hearing she was returning to Chicago, Magnus quickly interjected, “Tina, I reviewed our partnership proposal today and think some parts need to be revised.”
“Which parts?”
Tina frowned.
“We can discuss it in more detail when you’re free,” Magnus said, seemingly wanting to keep her there. In her heart, Aurora applauded Magnus’s newfound shrewdness. The usually dull and honest father had finally caught on. If she left now, would there ever be another chance to meet?
Even if their companies continued to collaborate, she could easily send another representative, denying him any future opportunities to see her.
“Alright, Miss Montgomery, may I release your hand now?”
Tina asked, looking at her helplessly.
“Miss Tina, I felt a special connection with you the moment I saw you. Which hotel are you staying at? Let me take you back,” Aurora insisted, determined not to let go, much like a child clinging to their mother for sweets.
Julian, however, looked on with a hint of coldness in his eyes. He had investigated Tina’s background. Though she had erased her past, he had uncovered it. He was ninety percent certain that she was Aurora’s mother. No mother does not love her child. Back when she was on the ship, she clearly adored Aurora. What could possibly make a mother leave her child and remain estranged for so many years?
Clearly, the situation was more complicated than they imagined. Her actions were undoubtedly to protect Aurora; otherwise, she would not have been the first to rush out to prevent Zachary from harming Aurora. But her love was so profound and heavy that she dared not even show it, hiding instead behind her cold demeanor.
Approaching her now was not a good idea, though as an observer, he could see clearly what Aurora might not understand.