By the time the sun set, Aurora was completely drained. Lyne called it a day. Wiping his sweat, he said, "That's enough for today."Aurora lay on the ground and said, "Toss me a towel."Lyne looked at the frail young girl and threw her a towel. "You don't look like a heiress from a wealthy family. Why are you pushing yourself so hard?"Aurora cracked a smile, wiping the sweat off her face. "I don't have the luxury of being a princess. If I'm weak, I won't survive."Lyne sat down beside her, shaking his head. "You're a girl, you should go easy on yourself. You're training like you're a guy."Aurora didn't respond. She should have been like a guy from the start. If she hadn't let her heart and emotions get the best of her, she wouldn't be in this mess now.Aurora stood up, gathered her things, and said, "I'm heading out. See you next time."Lyne waved her off, too tired to move. This girl, clearly exhausted multiple times, still insisted on standing up to fight. He couldn't fathom why sh
Around 5 or 6 in the evening, Madeline came home and ordered the servants to prepare dinner. The family gathered around the dining table for a meal.For the first time in ages, Aurora joined them for dinner. Her weight loss had been going well, stabilizing around 110 pounds. Coupled with exercise, she looked incredibly slim now.Sebastian had been swamped with work lately and often missed dinner at home. At the table were only Madeline, Maxwell, Sophia, and Aurora. Grandpa was probably dining at the old house.During the meal, Aurora casually mentioned, "I went to the suburbs today and thought I saw mom. Was that her?"Madeline's face visibly tensed, and she replied sharply, "You must be mistaken. I was playing cards with some ladies. How could I be in the suburbs? Where did you see me?"Aurora grinned and deliberately said, "In the east suburbs."Madeline's face relaxed, and she said, "I've never been to the east suburbs."Aurora smiled softly, "Then I must've been mistaken."She took
"What am I gonna do? The dinner party starts in just over half an hour, and where the heck is Aurora gonna find a dress?"She sat on the sofa, fretting. She considered raiding Evelyn's closet, but wearing someone else's hand-me-downs? That's just embarrassing.Just as she was torn, Grandpa walked in and called out, "Aurora, sweetheart, come here."Aurora stood up and walked over, asking, "What's up, Grandpa?""What's up with you? You look like you lost your best friend. Haven't visited me in days," he complained."Grandpa, I don't have a dress. I can't go to the Song family's dinner party," Aurora said."Tsk, always unreliable when it matters most," Grandpa retorted."Grandpa, are you here to kick me while I'm down? I'm your granddaughter, you know!" Aurora shot back."Miss Aurora, don't look so glum. Look what I've got here." Mr. Leen came from behind Grandpa, holding a beautifully wrapped gift box.Aurora walked over, untied the ribbon, and opened the box. Inside was a stunning haute
Heath stood in a corner, watching Aurora's sly performance with a smirk on his lips.Kieran, standing behind him, couldn't help but think: Just a couple of days ago, the boss had adamantly refused to attend the Song family's banquet. And now?Upon hearing that the dress shop had sent dresses to the Pendleton home but left out Aurora, Heath had made a call. Soon after, a dress was delivered to Grandpa, specifically for Aurora.But even after lending her money and sending her a dress, the girl hadn't even called him.Heath had been in a foul mood all afternoon, snapping at everyone in the branch office. Whether it was the finance director's minor mistake on a report or the sales manager's poor performance, he was dissatisfied with everything.Kieran, ever the loyal sidekick, chose this moment to hand over the Song family's invitation. "Boss, the Songs do business with us. Maybe you should make an appearance for the sake of good relations."In other words, it wasn't about seeing Aurora; i
Aurora gasped, "Heath?"Heath reached for the light switch on the wall. With a "click," the small storage room was illuminated. He was dressed in a light gray suit, no tie, and the top two buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing his attractive collarbone.Heath had one leg over Aurora, one hand gripping her slender wrist above her head against the wall. His other hand lifted her delicate chin, his eyes probing into hers.This position was, no matter how you looked at it, utterly embarrassing.Aurora shifted her head uncomfortably and said, "Let go of me."Heath didn't move. "Who taught you those moves?"Aurora sighed, "Self-taught. There are plenty of fighting classes out there. 200 a lesson, not expensive."Heath chuckled. Did she think he was that easy to fool?The training classes out there were all show, no substance. Aurora's moves were deadly and incredibly fast, almost instinctual.She was a puzzle—her personality, her actions, her financial dealings, her skills—all enigmat
Aurora remained silent, casting a sarcastic gaze at her."Sis, no matter what you think of me, I can't let you continue like this. We're sisters, and I can't stand to see you go down the wrong path!" Sophia spoke earnestly. "Even if you hit me or yell at me for the sake of others, I won't let anyone bully you anymore!"As soon as she said this, the room erupted. Sophia was earnestly advising her sister, and yet Aurora had beaten her to this state!No wonder Madeline didn't like Aurora. She didn't even prepare a dress for her. Turns out, Aurora was just too dirty to deserve the status of a Pendleton daughter!Upon hearing this, Madeline immediately stood up and asked, "Sophia, what did you say? The bruises on your face, did Aurora do this?"Sophia quickly stepped in front of Aurora and said, "Mom, no, it was my fault... it wasn't her..."This clumsy attempt to cover up only confirmed everyone's suspicions. Sophia was so kind, yet Aurora could be so cruel.Ethan rushed over, looking at
Aurora took out her phone and hit play. A clear voice rang out, "Just like your mom, huh? Always playing the flirt and messing with guys!""Sophia, my mom has been dead for years. Show some respect and don't insult her!""It's because your mom was short-lived that she died young! She only gave birth to a little wretch like you! My mom outdid yours in stealing men!"In just a few sentences, everyone could hear Sophia's multiple insults towards Aurora's deceased mother, even going as far as to call her short-lived."Sophia, you've been the little princess at home, spoiled rotten. I can't compare to you. But my mom is gone, how could I not be angry when you insult her like this?" Aurora wiped the corner of her eyes, looking pitiful and helpless.Ethan looked incredulously at Sophia, his own sweet girlfriend, unable to believe the venomous words she'd just spewed."Ethan, she's lying! It's not like that, it's not!" Sophia hastily tried to explain, but saw a
"Thanks a lot, you two! I'll treat you to dinner this weekend!" Aurora cheerfully agreed."Dinner? Heck yeah!" Lysander was over the moon. But then he felt a chill down his spine, turned around, and saw Heath staring at him with icy eyes. He gulped, "Ahem... actually, I just remembered, I've got plans this weekend. You guys go ahead."Aurora couldn't help but roll her eyes. Was Heath really that petty? Would one more person really eat him out of house and home?"I'll treat Heath first then, and we can do yours another time!" Aurora said, considering Lysander had also been a big help.Lysander's eyes twitched. Was Aurora trying to get him killed by Heath?He looked back at Heath's icy gaze and internally begged for mercy. Why did he have to open his big mouth? Should he agree or not?Heath just kept staring at him, making Lysander feel like crying. He was still a baby, okay?Just then, Kieran walked over and whispered something to Heath. Heath paused and asked, "The media knows?""Yes,