Joaquin was seldom this gentle. He chuckled softly, “If you were really the person you claim to be, you wouldn’t be asking this question. Moreover, I trust Julian’s judgment. His attitude towards you reveals his feelings-he loves you. Given the psychological scars I left him with during his childhood, he is extremely cautious about love. Once he has chosen you, it’s for life. These ten percent of the shares are my gift to you. Together with the forty percent of hidden shares I’ve given him, you two hold absolute control over Alvarez Enterprise.”
There were still a few scattered shares outside, shares that even Joaquin hadn’t reclaimed, let alone Hayden. Even if one day Hayden decided to turn against them, he would be at a significant disadvantage in terms of shares.
Joaquin’s move was brilliant: on the surface, he gave Julian no shares, but secretly he laid everything out for him. Indeed, the hearts of all parents are the same; they all think of their children, even if Julian harbored deep resentment towards him.
“Are you not going to tell him about this?”
“Julian hates me. He doesn’t even want to glance at me, let alone accept anything from me. He doesn’t want it, but I want to give it to him-it’s my way of making amends,” Joaquin said with a sense of helplessness.
“Poor parents, everywhere.”
“Open the door!”
As they spoke, Julian’s voice came from outside, clearly agitated.
“Look how nervous he is, thinking I’m going to harm you,” Joaquin winked at her.
“Keep this transfer document, and don’t tell him.”
“Okay.”
Aurora understood Joaquin’s concerns; what others coveted, Julian scorned.
“He’s here.”
Aurora opened the door, and Julian rushed in, pulling her into his arms.
“Aurora, are you alright?”
He had driven furiously, fearing Joaquin might harm her.
Aurora thought back to her initial impression that Joaquin was a bad person, probably worse in Julian’s eyes.
“Julian, I’m fine. Your father didn’t do anything; he just gave me a gift,” Aurora gently pushed him away.
“He’s that generous? He must be putting on an act,” Julian said, puzzled.
“That’s unlikely, look.”
Aurora showed him the bracelet in her hand.
Mary and Hayden, who were behind Julian, dimmed when they saw the bracelet. They knew what it represented.
“Father, she isn’t even part of the family yet, and you’ve given her the Alvarez family jade bracelet. This seems inappropriate,” Mary said sourly.
“It’s my property; I can give it to whoever I want. Do I need to inform you first?”
Joaquin glanced at her coldly.
“Dad, I didn’t mean that. It’s just that they are only engaged, not married. Things could still change,” Mary said insincerely.
“It’s just a bracelet. If you want one, I’ll buy you one tomorrow and give it back to him,” Julian clearly wasn’t happy.
Aurora remembered what Joaquin had said earlier, resisting the urge to take off the bracelet, “Julian, I really like this bracelet, look, it has five colors.”
“What does it matter how many colors it has? I can find you any bracelet you want.”
“But I like this one, can we keep it?”
Aurora’s voice was gentle, her eyes filled with longing, a look Julian found irresistible.
“Do you really like it?”
“Yes, I really do.”
Aurora’s fondness wasn’t for the bracelet itself, but she didn’t want to waste the old man’s kindness.
Joaquin was now eighty years old. At such an age, each day alive brought him one day closer to the grave. Aurora couldn’t bring herself to be so heartless, especially since, despite his faults, Joaquin had always treated Julian well.
“Keep it if you like it,” Julian finally snorted, “We’ve received the welcome gift, let’s go home now.”
Aurora was about to agree, but then she saw a hint of desolation in the old man’s eyes. Over the years, Julian and he had spent little time together. The old man always loved a lively atmosphere, and what he probably longed for most was his precious son Julian.
“Julian, since we’re already here, this is where you grew up. Let’s stay the night; I’d like to see where you used to live,” Aurora suggested.
Julian looked at her, puzzled. Aurora was not known for her fondness for the Alvarez family, so why would she want to stay?
“What’s there to see here? If you’re free, I can take you abroad tomorrow for a proper holiday,” Julian said, making a move to take her hand and leave.
“Julian, how can I travel abroad tomorrow? Let’s just stay here tonight,” Aurora pleaded.
Julian, somewhat helpless, retorted, “What has he told you? Why do you suddenly seem to have changed your mind?”
“I’ve just arrived, and you’re already here; when would I have had the time to talk? You’ve been to the Montgomery family’s castle, and now I want to see where you played as a child. Can’t you even do that for me?”
Aurora tugged gently at his sleeve, like a child begging for candy.
Reluctantly, Julian agreed, “You know I can’t resist you, so we’ll stay.”
Hearing that they would stay, Joaquin’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“I’ll have the guest room prepared immediately. You can stay as long as you like,” Joaquin said, now fully aware that his most intractable son was surprisingly obedient to Aurora.
Indeed, the right person can tame the wildest heart, he thought, grateful that he had realized Aurora’s importance. If he continued to oppose Julian, it would only drive them further apart. Now, with Aurora mediating, she might just melt the ice and improve their relationship.
“Who wants to stay long? If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t want to spend another second here,” Julian spoke sharply whenever he addressed Joaquin.
“Come on, Julian, why don’t you show me around? The architecture of the Alvarez family is quite different from the Montgomery’s,” Aurora said, breaking the tense atmosphere.
“Follow me,” Julian said, leading Aurora away by the hand.
Meanwhile, Hayden watched them leave, deep in thought. He had rushed here after receiving a call from Mary. What had Joaquin really told Aurora? Surely it was more than just giving her a bracelet?
“Grandfather, I need to discuss something with you,” Hayden finally couldn’t hold back and decided to settle the matter of the shares first.
“Well, I know what you’re going to say. Find your uncle and let’s resolve this today,” Joaquin clearly understood Hayden’s intentions.
“Right,” Hayden quickly made a call, fearing that today Joaquin would clarify everything about the shares.
Julian led Aurora to a courtyard filled with plum trees, which must look spectacular in the winter.
“Did your father love plum blossoms?”
Aurora asked.
“It wasn’t him. It was my mother who loved them. To win her over, he planted many plum trees from different places, creating this magnificent scene,” Julian said, his voice tinged with emotion.
“So your father was also a man of deep affection,” Aurora remarked. Even the most fearsome people, she thought, have their hidden soft spots.