The following day, Aurora returned home to unexpectedly encounter Yvonne and Evelyn at the doorstep.Yvonne, upon seeing Aurora, charged at her with an accusation, "Was it you? Did you persuade Quise to kick me out of the show?"Aurora gave her a dismissive look. "Yvonne, my little company is barely a workshop. I'm hardly a boss with such influence to sway a producer."Yvonne, teeth clenched in anger, retorted, "Don't think I don't know it was you just because you won't admit it! You just can't stand seeing me succeed, plotting to replace me with Cheryl!"Aurora laughed, "You're right, I can't stand you. But what right do you have now to stand in Cheryl's way? Have you paid off your tax debt of twenty million yet?"Yvonne, infuriated and cornered, knew this tax evasion scandal should have been settled privately, but now it had blown up, making her a pariah in the industry, leaving even Evelyn helpless."Aren't you and Evelyn close friends? Didn't my kind sister help you?" Aurora taunt
Elowen had been ruminating for days. The relationship between Heath and Aurora seemed strained. Alaric's insinuations pointed to Aurora never genuinely agreeing to be with Heath. To Elowen, Aurora's behavior screamed of playing hard to get. With Heath being such a catch, why on earth wouldn't she commit?Elowen had reached out to Evelyn earlier that day, subtly probing for information about Aurora. Evelyn's response that Aurora wasn't home led Elowen to investigate further. She checked both the Fairview Studio and the film set, finding no trace of Aurora. The last place to look was here.Armed with groceries, Elowen made her way to Heath’s place. Using Heath's key, she entered, only to find Aurora looking utterly taken aback."Aurora? You're here?" Elowen's voice wavered slightly, betraying her unease.She slipped into a pair of slippers at the door, which were unmistakably Heath's. Despite the slippers being too large, making her walk clumsy, there was an unexpected charm to Elowen's
Aurora, with a burst of indignation, pushed Heath away, shouting, "Don't touch me!"Heath was taken aback and furrowed his brow and asked, "Rory, what's wrong?"Aurora stood up abruptly, declaring, "I'm leaving!"Heath grabbed her, but Aurora recoiled as if electrocuted, rubbing her hands in disgust. Heath, his face stern, questioned, "You're disgusted by me?"Head bowed, Aurora remained silent. The dim light in the hallway barely illuminated the scene, leaving Heath unable to discern her expression. He only saw her downturned head and her silence."Rory, talk to me. What happened?" Heath persisted.With her head still low, Aurora muttered, "Elowen was here.""What?" Heath was confused. Aurora had met Elowen many times before, and he had made it clear he didn't like Elowen. He thought Aurora wouldn't be troubled by her."Elowen came, opened the door herself. Heath, why does Elowen have keys to this place?" Aurora lifted her head, confronting Heath with bright, clear eyes that seemed t
Aurora had fully unleashed her true self. Moments ago, she'd been toying with Holt, pacing her speed to give him the illusion of a potential victory. But now, unleashing her full prowess, Aurora showed why she was a seasoned racer. Pursued by the finest of assassins and spies, Holt was left in the dust, unable to even glimpse her taillights.Aurora reached the finish line in a blur, shaking off the numbness in her hands and feet. Before she could even remove her helmet, a thunderous crash jolted her car. Her head snapped forward, dizziness swirling through her.Heath's face turned stormy as he witnessed Holt's car slamming into Aurora's. Anger in a game was one thing, but this was going too far.Alaric, catching Heath's darkened mood, mentally crossed himself for Holt.As they rushed to the scene, Holt yanked Aurora out of her car. Removing her helmet, a trickle of blood slid down her forehead, giving her icy gaze a strangely enchanting quality.Holt, struck by her beauty, blurted out
Lysander dragged Alaric to a bar, where Alaric, feeling downhearted, drank as if quenching a thirst. Before long, he was thoroughly inebriated.Fumbling for his phone, Alaric insisted on calling Elowen. Dialing a number in a daze, he didn't even wait for the call to connect before shouting into the phone, "What's wrong with me? Why can't you see me? I've been devoted to you for over twenty years, can't you spare me a single glance?"Vespera, phone in hand, double-checked the number in utter confusion. "Alaric... have you been drinking too much...?"Ever since they had celebrated Aurora's birthday last year and attended the Fairbank Corp's annual gathering, Vespera and Alaric had become acquainted."I'm drunk! And you don't even care to check on me! Don't I mean anything to you? Not even a little? How am I any less than Heath?" Alaric's words slurred as he continued to wail."Alaric, where are you?" Vespera asked helplessly."Where else can I be? Anywhere's fine if you're with me!" Ala
In the blink of an eye, it was the day before Grandpa's birthday. Madeline was busy preparing for the birthday banquet and hadn't visited her grandpa for several days.Aurora returned home early. The patriarch was looking for Leen but couldn't find him."Grandpa, why are you looking for Leen?" Aurora asked.Grandpa was somewhat annoyed: "I'm not up to anything, I just haven't seen him all day, and I have no idea where he went."Aurora helped the patriarch sit down and said with a smile, "Grandpa, if Leen isn't here, let me take you out for some fun?"Grandpa was startled: "You, a young girl, not going out with people your age, but wanting to hang out with an old man like me?"Aurora playfully shook her grandpa's arm: "Please, let's go! I love hanging out with you!""Alright, alright, where to?" her grandpa said indulgently.Aurora jumped up excitedly: "You'll know once we get there!"Aurora helped her grandpa out, and Jay drove them straight to the airport. Grandpa was surprised: "Are
Aurora stood by the window for a full two minutes before a sound at the door made her turn her head. The doorknob turned, and the door opened.She quickly turned her gaze outside as Heath closed the door and entered. The room was unlit, only illuminated by the light from outside, casting a small, fragile silhouette of Aurora in front of the window.Heath approached, standing behind her, reaching out to embrace her. Aurora dodged, firmly saying, "Mr. Fairbank, I need to rest. Please leave."Heath weighed the keys in his hand and said, "I didn't fish these out of your grandpa's pocket."Aurora gazed outside, lost in thought, understanding Heath's implication that he wouldn't let Elowen take keys from his pocket.She knew Heath didn't like Elowen and wouldn't let her cook at his residence, nor would he allow her to touch his clothes.She knew everything – she wasn't like the cold-hearted assassin, Olivia. She was Aurora, a girl who felt anger, jealousy, and caprice like any other.She wa
The next day.Early in the morning, Aurora rose from her bed. Today was her grandpa's birthday, and a banquet was prepared back home. They needed to hurry back.After a quick preparation, skipping breakfast, they headed to the airport.Originally, Aurora was to go with her grandfather to the airport, but he firmly insisted she ride with Heath instead.Aurora, somewhat helpless, wondered if she really was her grandfather's beloved granddaughter.In the car, Heath held the steering wheel with one hand and Aurora's hand with the other, beaming with joy, almost whistling.Aurora glanced at him helplessly, "Heath, can you focus on driving?"Heath nodded, "I am driving carefully."Aurora persisted, "...with both hands, please."Heath shook his head, gripping her hand tighter, "No need."At the airport, Heath clung tightly to her hand, following her grandfather onto the plane. The old man was all smiles, almost ready to ask Heath when he would formally propose.Aurora, utterly speechless, wa