Aurora slammed her foot down on the accelerator, and the black sports car shot forward like an arrow, leaving a trail of exhaust in its wake.One hand gripped the steering wheel tightly while the other roughly wiped her face.Grace’s furious expression and harsh words lingered in her mind, refusing to fade."You’ve completely disgraced the Walton reputation!""Do you even respect me as your mother?"Each word stabbed into her heart like a poisoned needle, sharp and unforgiving.Aurora bit down on her lip and pressed the gas pedal even harder.Right now, all she wanted was to escape from everything. Escape from that suffocating house. Escape from a mother who had always favored Tessa and treated her with nothing but indifference.By the time she pulled up in front of Megan’s apartment, her palms were slick with sweat.Megan lived in a high-end apartment complex in the city center. Aurora parked her car with practiced ease and rang the doorbell."Aurora? What are you doing here at this h
Lucas drove straight to the nearest pharmacy without a second thought.He bought every single anti-inflammatory and antiseptic medication available, stuffing the car’s trunk until there was barely any room left.By the time he arrived at Megan’s apartment, Aurora was sitting on the couch, cradling a cup of ice water, her expression dull and fatigued.Lucas strode over to her, his usual composed demeanor replaced by deep concern. The moment he saw the redness and swelling on her face, a sharp pain stabbed through his chest."What happened? Who hit you? Does it hurt?"His voice was so gentle it was almost unrecognizable—nothing like the commanding and decisive Lucas that people in the business world knew.Caught off guard by his sudden concern, Aurora instinctively turned her head away, avoiding his gaze."It’s nothing, just a small bruise.""Small? This is what you call small?!" Megan exaggeratedly shouted from the side."Look at her face! It’s swollen like a balloon! If I hadn’t iced
Aurora’s heartbeat quickened even more, and her face burned as if it were on fire. She turned away, lowering her voice. "It’s really nothing, just a small injury." "Small injury?" Lucas’ one carried a trace of restrained anger. "Your face is this swollen, and you’re still calling it ‘just a small injury’? Tell me exactly what happened." Left with no choice, Aurora recounted everything that had happened at the company. As Lucas listened, his expression grew darker, his aura turning ice-cold. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and called his assistant. "Look into a man named Chuck Mills." His voice was sharp, authoritative, completely different from his usual calm and composed demeanor. Aurora watched him, her emotions tangled. "Lucas…" She tugged lightly at his sleeve before sighing and shaking her head. Her voice carried a hint of exhaustion. "Let it go. There’s no need to stir up more trouble. I’m fine, I didn’t really suffer any losses." She didn’t wan
Outside the RestaurantJoseph stood with his usual air of nonchalance, his gaze lazily sweeping over Aurora Walton.A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, playful yet mocking.One arm wrapped around Judy’s waist, while his other hand idly flicked a lighter, the small flame briefly illuminating his fingers before vanishing. His entire demeanor exuded a careless arrogance, as if nothing in the world could truly hold his interest.However, when his gaze landed on the man sitting across from Aurora, something in his expression shifted.A flicker of intrigue flashed in his eyes.He couldn’t see the man’s face, only a broad back and a composed posture.But that upright stance, coupled with the sheer presence emanating from him, was enough to make Joseph pause.Whoever this man was, he was no ordinary figure.Judy followed Joseph’s line of sight and quickly took notice of the man sitting across from Aurora.Though she could only see his back, an unsettling feeling crept into her chest.Th
Inside the restaurant, Aurora and Lucas’ dinner remained undisturbed by the commotion outside. "What are your thoughts on Vanguard Group’s hot spring resort project?" Lucas asked casually, elegantly slicing his steak. Aurora set down her fork, her expression turning serious. "Vanguard Group plans to develop a high-end hot spring resort that combines wellness, leisure, and entertainment. “I’ve drafted an initial concept that integrates modern architectural design with natural landscapes to create a space that’s both contemporary and Zen-inspired." Lucas raised an intrigued eyebrow. "Oh? Let’s hear it." Aurora retrieved her tablet from her bag, pulled up her design proposal, and handed it to him while explaining her vision in detail. Lucas skimmed through the concept as he listened to her analysis, his gaze filled with admiration. He had to admit that Aurora’s design philosophy was unique, and more importantly, it held strong commercial potential. "Your concept is creativ
Aurora unfastened her seatbelt and pushed open the car door. A wave of heat rushed in, carrying the bustling noise of the city, starkly contrasting with the quiet, air-conditioned space inside the car. She squinted slightly, adjusting to the harsh sunlight before stepping out. The crisp sound of her heels tapping against the pavement echoed as she straightened herself. Turning back, the wind gently lifted strands of her dark hair, revealing the delicate curve of her fair neck. She met Lucas’ gaze, her lips curling into a faint, appreciative smile. "Thank you." Lucas watched her, his deep eyes following her every movement until she disappeared into the building. Only then did he restart the engine, his sleek black Maybach merging smoothly into the steady flow of traffic. Inside Walton Corporation, the blast of cool air from the lobby’s air conditioning offered instant relief. Aurora adjusted her outfit slightly before heading straight toward Grace’s office. Stoppin
In the meeting roomAurora Walton’s proposal moved away from the conventional, repetitive spa retreat designs. Instead, she blended the lush, tropical ambiance of Caribbean resorts with the sleek elegance of Scandinavian minimalism.Each section of the wellness resort featured a unique theme—"Celestial Springs," "Woodland Retreat," and "Botanical Haven"—creating a diverse and immersive experience for guests.She introduced interactive elements, such as hot spring yoga and water parks, making the resort more engaging for visitors.The SPA partnership plan was equally refreshing—no longer limited to domestic brands, her proposal included collaborations with renowned international wellness brands, elevating the resort’s luxury and appeal.For dining, she went beyond traditional health-focused cuisine, incorporating local specialty dishes, ensuring a wider variety of options to cater to different tastes.The accommodation area was also upgraded with smart technology—each room would be equi
"Mr. Joseph… I… I really didn’t expect that girl to…" Chuck swallowed hard, his voice shaking. "She… she’s nothing like she was when she first joined the company!" "Nothing like before? What do you mean? Spit it out!" Joseph cut him off impatiently, his tone dripping with disdain. "Didn’t you tell me before that you had her wrapped around your finger? Now you can’t even handle one woman? What the hell do I need you for?" Chuck felt his stomach churn. His hands trembled as he tried to explain. "Joseph, she… she’s different now. I… I’m no match for her at all." He then exaggerated the events of that morning, emphasizing how Aurora had effortlessly flipped him over her shoulder and completely humiliated him in front of the entire office. "Over-the-shoulder throw?" Joseph’s voice carried a hint of disbelief. "A grown man like you got thrown by a woman?" He sounded as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke of his life, his words laced with mockery. "Chuck, y
Aurora stood in front of the wardrobe, feeling a little awkward.Looking at Lucas like this, she wasn’t sure what she felt.Usually, he was cold and aloof, like someone untouchable.The only times his emotions ever surfaced around her were in bed.Other than that, he always appeared gentle, calm, and composed.This was the first time she’d ever seen Lucas so helpless.Aurora couldn’t help but lower her voice. "Lucas, let go of me first.""No..."His head felt increasingly foggy, but he was still fully aware of what he was doing.With that thought, he tightened his arms around her.Only then did Aurora realize something wasn’t right.She pushed aside the confusing mess of emotions in her chest, turned around, and pressed her palm to his forehead. She gasped, "You're burning up! Are you running a fever? Did you take any medicine?"Lucas stubbornly clung to his need for an answer. "Don’t be mad at me, okay? Rora, I just want an answer. Nothing else matters.""How can it not matter!" Auro
The manager looked a little puzzled. "Sort of. We do have quite a few conflicting projects with Walton Corporation, but don’t worry, Miss Shaws, we and Walton…"Before he could finish, Wendy cut him off. "I already know the rest. Just assign me to the projects that go head-to-head with Walton Corporation."The manager was stunned.To be honest, Walton Corporation was indeed a formidable competitor. On top of that, they’d recently aligned themselves with Vanguard Group. Their standing in Ravenshore had surged dramatically."Miss Shaws, you haven’t been in the country much, so you might not be too familiar with Walton Corporation. They’re actually quite capable."Wendy replied with obvious displeasure, "So what? If they weren’t, I’d find it boring. I want this project. You don’t need to worry about the rest."Here, Wendy was putting on her full heiress airs.The manager clenched his fists, recalling what the higher-ups had said. In the end, he nodded without realizing it. "Right, got
Now that she’d come to terms with it, Tessa knew she couldn’t let things keep going smoothly for Aurora. She needed to start planning for her own future. Sitting nearby with a soft, pleasant smile, Tessa appeared to everyone else like the embodiment of warmth and grace.But to Aurora, it felt unsettling. That smile of Tessa’s reeked of falsehood—she was definitely up to something. Aurora’s eyes flickered with a trace of coldness, but she pushed down the feeling and stayed quiet. After breakfast, Grace and Aurora shared a car to the office. The ride was surprisingly pleasant, as if last night’s tension had completely evaporated. Aurora liked this kind of peaceful interaction, and she didn’t have the heart to ruin the rare calm. Unfortunately, the moment didn’t last long, before she knew it, they had arrived. Each went to her own office and got to work. Aurora was already well-versed in most of the company’s operations. The only thing left on her plate was evaluating
Aurora nodded as Grace spoke. "Alright, Mom. I understand." But Grace could tell she hadn’t really taken her words to heart. She couldn’t help but add, "This was your choice, Aurora. No one can walk it for you. "If it’s the path you chose, then you have to stick with it. What truly matters is the two of you are doing well." Aurora lowered her gaze. She understood exactly what her mother was getting at. It was just like the past when she chose to be with Joseph. "I get it, Mom. You should get some rest. I’m an adult now." She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and looked at her mother, speaking clearly and steadily. "Don’t worry. I can handle a lot more than you think." Grace felt a flicker of comfort in her heart. "That’s good. Our little Rora really has grown up." Aurora froze for a moment when she heard that. It had been a long time since her mother had called her by her nickname, and she wasn’t quite used to it.Grace noticed the way her daughter paus
Aurora shut the door behind her, completely unaware of Tessa’s furious muttering downstairs. Not that it would’ve mattered—she couldn’t care less. Tessa was only acting this arrogant because their mother wasn’t home. Without anyone to answer her, Tessa sat fuming alone in the living room, her cheeks flushed with anger. She raised her hand, ready to sweep everything off the coffee table in a fit of rage when Grace walked through the front door. "What’s wrong, Tessa? Your face is all red. Are you feeling unwell?" No matter what her daughter had done at those business events, Grace couldn’t bring herself to stay mad. Tessa was still her child, the one she’d doted on since she was little. Even if she was upset, she couldn’t truly be angry with her. Tessa was briefly caught off guard.She quickly pulled herself together and responded to her mother’s concern. "I’m fine, Mom, really. Aurora just got back, and I was a little worried something might’ve happened to her out th
"This ungrateful brat!" The assistant beside him spoke up timidly, "Mr. Hunt, should we find a way to get the Mr. Joseph out?" "Of course!" Melvin looked furious, burning with shame. "At a time like this, what else can we do but get him out?" No matter how disgraceful his son was, once the news got out, it would be the Hunt family’s reputation on the line. What would happen to Hunt Enterprises’ stocks then? He couldn’t afford to take that risk. Seeing Melvin’s expression ease a little, the assistant finally breathed a sigh of relief and went off to find someone to figure out how to get Joseph out. Joseph was already in jail but still hadn’t fully processed what had happened. Aurora had really thrown him straight into jail like that? "Hey! Let go of me!" Joseph yelled at the officers. "Do you even know who I am? How dare you treat me like this!" One of the officers rolled his eyes. "I don’t care who you are. If you’ve broken the law, you’re not getting away with it.
All it did was make Aurora feel like her past self had been unbelievably naive.But Joseph kept going, oblivious to her discomfort. "Those were our best memories. I still remember the first time you blushed, the way you looked in that white dress—so sweet and shy. “You were always so gentle and soft when you were with me… it was such a beautiful time."As he spoke, he watched her face closely, searching for some flicker of emotion.But to Aurora, hearing those words from him made her skin crawl.The more he went on, the more irritated she became. Her expression turned colder by the second.She reached for her phone, ready to call a ride. Staying here any longer felt like a direct assault on her intelligence.Joseph noticed the gesture. That was when it hit him—she hadn’t been listening to a single word he said.And in that moment, he felt like a complete fool.He had poured out his heart, and yet this woman—this ungrateful bitch—could still be so heartless.His eyes darkened. He
Aurora’s anger ignited the second those words left his mouth.Without hesitation, she slapped Joseph hard across the face, her voice sharp and cold. "What the hell is wrong with you?"This is still Walton Corporation, and you think you can throw a fit right here? Whether I talk or not is none of your damn business. Try worrying about yourself."The slap caught Joseph completely off guard. Before he could react, Aurora had already snatched her phone back.He clutched his cheek, momentarily stunned, not even sure where to look.Rage overtook him. "You bitch! You actually hit me!"Aurora raised her chin defiantly. "So, what if I did? You brought it on yourself."Joseph couldn’t stand the smugness in her expression. Grinding his teeth, he snapped, "You think you can just cut me off like that? It’s not gonna be that easy!"Aurora, we were together for three years. Don’t forget, I’ve seen everything. You're not afraid I’ll send it all out?"His threat made Aurora pause, eyes narrowing as s
After all, this was a choice, and a gamble, Aurora had made for herself.Even if she lost the bet, she knew she'd have to deal with the consequences on her own.She pulled out her phone, opened the ride-hailing app, and was just about to book a car when a voice laced with fury and bitterness cut through the air."Aurora Walton, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?"The sudden sound startled her. She hadn’t even noticed someone standing nearby.Steadying herself, Aurora looked up, only to be met with Joseph’s face, dark and twisted with resentment."Well, look who’s changed careers," she said dryly, unable to resist the jab.Joseph blinked, caught off guard. "What’s that supposed to mean?""Nothing much. Just surprised to find a clown performing right outside my office," Aurora said casually. "Now move. Stop blocking my way."At that, Joseph’s expression twisted. The fresh style he’d worked so hard on couldn’t hide the rage contorting his face. "What the hell does that mean? I ca