The next day.Aurora came downstairs, and Grandpa greeted her to join him for breakfast. "Come on, the kitchen staff has been simmering porridge for you all morning. Have some."Aurora took a seat and sipped her porridge obediently. Seeing her in better spirits, Grandpa asked, "Hey, the semester's almost over. You going to school today?"Aurora nodded. "Yep, going to school. Meeting up with Vespera later."Grandpa suggested, "Since you don't drive, want me to arrange a chauffeur for you?"Aurora's eyes light up. "Nah, Grandpa. Let me find someone myself—someone who knows a bit of martial arts and can double as a bodyguard."Grandpa approved. "Sounds good. Once you find someone, have Leen vet him, and we'll pay him from the family funds."After breakfast, Aurora stepped outside and dialed Jay, who picked up the phone lamenting dramatically, "Aurora! How much longer do you expect me to hide out in Seaview? Jasper and Carly have left! I'm bored out of my mind in this gigantic villa!"Aur
After school, Aurora bid farewell to Vespera, and had her driver drop her off at a restaurant. She packed a portion of sweet and sour fish, then headed to Heath’s place.She unlocked the door and found Gloria cooking. Gloria was overjoyed to see her, "Miss Aurora, you're back? Come in, I'll call the boss for dinner!"Aurora was puzzled, "Doesn't Heath usually come home for dinner?"Gloria, with dishes in hand, said, "Not often. Since you moved out, he rarely comes home. Usually, Kieran gets his meals delivered to the office."Gloria reached for her phone, but Aurora stopped her, "It's fine, Gloria. I'll call."With a cheerful grin, Gloria handed over her phone and returned to the kitchen. Aurora dialed and heard Kieran's voice, "Gloria, I'll swing by for the food later, have it packed."Aurora: "...Kieran.""Miss Aurora?" Kieran was stunned, and double-checked. It was indeed Gloria's phone."Is Heath busy?" Aurora inquired.Peering into the conference room at Heath, Kieran replied, "H
The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as everyone greeted Heath. Aurora, feeling a bit like a fish out of water, managed to introduce herself to a few people. She then followed the crowd into the racetrack.A group of men were impatiently shouting across the track, their voices tinged with anticipation. "Is it ready yet? When are we starting the race?"Alaric was sprawled lazily on a plush sofa. He looked up and called out to Heath, "Hey, Heath, how about a spin? The cars are begging to be driven."Heath shook his head dismissively. "Not interested."Alaric looked puzzled, his eyebrows knitting together. "Then what the heck are you doing here, man?"Heath shot him a glance, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Weren't you the one who asked me to bring Aurora here?"Alaric let out an exaggerated sigh, turning to Aurora with a mock-accusing look. "Aurora, you promised not to sell me out. What gives?"Aurora chuckled awkwardly, her cheeks flushing a light pink. "I didn't sell you out. He f
Elowen stepped forward, remarking, "Heath, Aurora seems to know a lot about racing. She knew Zane was going to lose just from his second turn."Just then, Zane walked over, overhearing the comment. "Who said I was going to lose on the second turn?"Aurora frowned, thinking, "Is Elowen just like those Pendleton sisters, always stirring up trouble?"Alaric, trying to defuse the situation, said, "It's nothing, just some casual chat."Zane, still fuming from his loss, snapped, "Casual chat? Who's casually saying I'd lose?"Aurora stepped up, admitting, "I did."Zane looked at her dismissively, "What would a young lady like you know about racing? On what basis did you say I'd lose?"Aurora replied with a smirk, "I noticed your car's left tire is old, while the right one is new. You took the turn too sharply and too early, losing speed."
While waiting at a red light, Heath turned to look at Aurora. His gaze seemed casual but struck her to the core. "Would you ever harm me?" he asked.Aurora shook her head. "No."She could spend her entire life seeking revenge on Isabella Whitmore and Dominic Ashcroft, fighting against the underworld and the Whitmore family, but she would never harm Heath. She held this secret close to her heart—her identity, her past, her purpose. She feared that when the time came for her to step onto the battlefield, she might drag Heath down with her.All she wanted was his safety.Heath smiled, reaching over to ruffle the back of her fluffy hair. "That's enough for me."As long as she said no, he believed her.Back home, Aurora sent photos of Zane and Cheryl to Derek Eastwood, the author of War Against Fate. After seeing the photos, Eastwood immediately agreed to the adaptation.Jay had already arrived at the Pendleton residence. Leen had arranged for him to stay there, providing him with a car, a
Evelyn Media was pumping out promotional shots of Sophia almost every week. Online trolls were hyping up Sophia's innocent charm like crazy, predicting that the school drama Youth would be a smash hit.Meanwhile, Aurora's project War Against Fate was hitting some snags.Zane's acting skills were mediocre at best. He could pull off playing a spoiled rich kid addicted to booze and women in the early scenes, but when it came to the middle part—where his character, Dylan, faces family ruin and has to endure humiliation and bullying—he just couldn't deliver.Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Zane had never faced hardship, let alone humiliation or bullying. How could he possibly portray those emotions?And it wasn't just any humiliation. The script called for scenes where Dylan gets kicked out of a dance hall and beaten in the rain, has to pull rickshaws and carry goods at the docks, and is even forced to kneel.Zane was having none of it. "My face is too handsome to be covered in mud
The next day, in the evening. Heath drove to Alaric's house, entering with Aurora. The banquet hall was bustling with men and women chatting away. Heath leaned over to Aurora and said, "If you don't want to stay, we can leave." Aurora smiled and nodded. Alaric called out loudly, "Heath!" Everyone turned toward the door and greeted Heath politely. It seemed like everyone knew him. Elowen let go of Alaric's arm and floated over like a butterfly, her voice melodious, "Heath, I thought you wouldn't come today. You usually avoid these kinds of gatherings." "Rory wanted to come, so here we are," Heath replied. Elowen's expression shifted, "Aurora is here too. Let's all have fun." Aurora: "…" So, I've been standing next to Heath this whole time, and you didn't notice? Alaric came over and said, "Aurora, go easy on the drinks, or Heath will tear my house down." Aurora playfully stuck out her tongue, "Then let him." A few men came over and invited Heath to play cards. Heath turned t
Next day.Jay drove Aurora to the Strider residence early in the morning. The servant opened the door and asked, "Miss Aurora, what brings you here?"Aurora replied, "Is Zane home? I'm looking for him."The servant said, "Yes, he is still in bed."Aurora chuckled, "Could you please wake him up for me?"The servant hesitated, "He doesn't like to be disturbed while sleeping..."Aurora waved it off, "No worries, I'll go wake him up myself."Servant: "...Please come in, Miss Aurora."Aurora walked in with Jay and sat in the living room. "Jay, go wake him up. By any means necessary."Jay followed the servant upstairs. Ten seconds later, a scream like a pig being slaughtered echoed from above. Aurora nearly spat out her water.Jay came back downstairs, "Did you hear that? He's definitely awake!"Aurora: "..."Zane rushed downstairs in his robe, saw Aurora casually sipping water on the sofa, and yelled, "Are you even human? Who comes to someone's house this early to wake them up?"Aurora put