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 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

"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,

"Mom, what do we do? We can't let her live with Grandpa!" Sophia asked anxiously."What do you mean, 'what do we do'? I should be asking you! If you hadn't stolen that photo and made a scene, how would you have been humiliated? You were supposed to apologize today, not throw punches!" Madeline shot back, visibly angry at her daughter's actions."I couldn't stand her arrogance, okay? She's practically walking all over us, and now Grandpa's taking her side. What if he gives her some of the shares? Do you know how much money we'd lose? I didn't mean to, Mom. Can you please not be mad?" Sophia pleaded, her voice tinged with tears.Seeing her daughter kneeling on the ground, Madeline's heart softened. "Sophia, hang in there a bit longer. I'll call your brother to come back and plead with Grandpa.""Then go, call him back. I don't want to be kneeling here like some joke," Sophia said, still crying.Madeline hurried back to the villa and called Maxwell, who was at his office. Seeing his moth

Heath strolled leisurely into the training area, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt to reveal his well-defined forearms.He flashed a smile at Aurora and said, "Let's get started."Aurora threw a quick punch, but no matter how fast she was, Heath always seemed to dodge effortlessly, as if he was always one step ahead.Panting, Aurora couldn't even graze the hem of his shirt, which frustrated her to no end.She aimed a swift punch at Heath's face. Dodging to the side, he grabbed her wrist with his left hand. Aurora lifted her right arm for an elbow strike to his chest, only to be caught again.With both hands restrained, Aurora instinctively used Heath's own force to flip over, aiming a kick. Heath sidestepped again, locking her in his arms.Her hands twisted behind her back, pressed against Heath, he leaned in, his breath slightly ragged, whispering in her ear, "Was that move taught by Coach Lyne too?"Aurora was taken aback. She'd been fighting o