Chapter 241

(Author’s POV)After leaving Ryan’s office with her heart full and her lips still tingling from his tender kiss, Aurora instructed the driver to take her to Owen’s office next. The city rolled past the car windows as she thought about how excited Owen might be to see her. He often worked himself too hard, and she wanted to bring him the same warmth she gave Ryan, a reminder that his wife was thinking about him in the middle of her day.The car came to a smooth stop in front of Owen’s towering building. Aurora gathered Owen’s lunch box carefully, stepped out of the car, and began walking toward the glass entrance. Just as she reached the main doors, someone hurriedly turned the corner and clashed with her shoulder.“O-Oh! I’m so sorry!” A small, shaky voice stammered.

Chapter 242

(Author’s POV)Aurora stepped out of Owen’s building with a soft smile still lingering on her lips, the warmth of his embrace and kiss tucked safely in her heart. She was about to slide into the waiting car when, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a small, slouched figure near one of the marble pillars by the entrance.It was the same girl from earlier, the timid one with glasses and shy eyes. But now she wasn’t rushing or nervous. She was sitting curled up on a low step, clutching her file tightly to her chest, tears streaming silently down her cheeks. Her shoulders trembled, and the way she was trying to wipe her tears away before anyone could see spoke volumes about how much she hated appearing vulnerable in public.Aurora’s steps slowed and her heart tugged instantly. Without a sec

Chapter 243

(Author’s POV)The girl was somewhat aback to learn that the woman she had assumed belonged to an elite family was actually ‘The Owen Skylar's wife’. She instinctively stepped back, her whole body trembling. “M-My name… it’s… Elara…” Her voice cracked, and she fidgeted with the file she still held in her arms.Owen’s sharp eyes flicked toward her briefly, but his face gave nothing away. Flat, unreadable, cold even because to him, no one else mattered the way Aurora did. He wasn’t cruel, but he had no reason to offer softness to strangers.Aurora noticed Elara shrinking under his gaze, so she quickly explained, her voice filled with quiet anger.“She’s the girl I bumped into earlier downstairs. Do you know why she was crying outside, Owen?” Aurora’s tone sharpened, her protective instinct rising.“Because one of your department heads insulted her, called her worthless, dismissed her for being late by a minute and for her clothes. Instead of judging her on her talent, he crushed her sp

Chapter 244

(Author’s POV)Before she heard Owen's voice, Elara was still in shock that "The Skylars" had defended her.“Your résumé” He said simply.Elara blinked rapidly, caught off guard, but scrambled to pull the neatly folded papers from her bag. Her hands trembled as she handed them over, her chest rising and falling quickly from nerves.Owen accepted the document, his eyes scanning line by line with the kind of intensity that could intimidate anyone. But Aurora knew him well, his slight hum of acknowledgment, the way his brows twitched upward just a fraction, meant only one thing. He was impressed.“Your qualifications are top-notch. More than most who apply here” Finally, Owen lowered t

Chapter 245

(Author’s POV)Aurora sat quietly for a moment, letting the silence between them stretch just enough to make Elara feel comfortable before she spoke. “So, Elara, tell me about yourself. Your family, what you like to do, anything you’d like to share. I’d love to know the person I just helped bring into our company” Aurora said softly, resting her chin on her hand and giving the girl her full attention.Elara hesitated, her hands clutching her coffee cup as though it were her lifeline. She had never been the kind of person to share much about herself, but there was something about Aurora’s tone, so warm, so unpretentious that made her feel safe. She took a deep breath, her gaze dropping to the cup as she spoke.“I… I h

Chapter 246

(Author’s POV)Aurora curled up on the large, soft couch in the living room, the moonlight slanting through the tall windows casting a warm glow over her. The mansion was quiet at this hour, the faint hum of the staff working in distant parts of the house, the occasional rustle of wind outside. She had changed into a loose cream sweater and shorts, her hair left open, giving her a soft, relaxed look. A novel rested in her hands, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the conversation she’d had with Elara earlier that day. The bond they had formed so quickly warmed her heart.The faint sound of tires crunching against the gravel driveway caught her attention. Her heart gave a small leap, she knew that sound. She closed her book and placed it on the couch, her eyes fixed on the entrance as she heard