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Chapter 9: The Owner
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2025-02-01 15:08:46"Are you deaf? I said I want that gown!" Vanessa snapped, her voice sharp with entitlement.
Catherine stepped forward, arms crossed. "Do you really want Mr. Calloway to hear about this?" she threatened, her tone dripping with arrogance.
Nica stiffened. She knew she couldn’t afford to upset Vanessa. Ms. Stanfield had mentioned that a friend would be visiting the boutique today, and judging by Vanessa’s status, she had assumed it was her. Unlike Aurora, whom she didn’t recognize, Vanessa held influence.
"I-I'm sorry, Ms. Steele," Nica stammered. "I'll give you the gown."
Aurora's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? You know I already chose it. Why are you giving it to her?"
Nica swallowed hard. "I'm really sorry, Ms. Aurora, but we have many other beautiful gowns to choose from. Please reconsider."
Aurora arched a brow. "No. I want this gown. I picked it first, so it should be mine. Why don’t you tell her to choose another one instead?"
Catherine scoffed. "You! Are you really going to do this? Vanessa wants it, so give it to her!"
Aurora met her glare without flinching. "Why would I? She already took my boyfriend. Do you really think I’ll let her take this from me too?"
Vanessa let out an exaggerated gasp of frustration. "You! Are you really trying to get on my nerves?! Ethan will hear about this!" She turned sharply to Nica. "You! Give me the gown now!"
Nica hesitated, torn between reason and the fear of losing her job. She sighed in defeat. "I'm truly sorry, Ms. Aurora, but Ms. Stanfield specifically instructed us to take extra care of Ms. Steele today. We can’t ignore her request. Please understand."
Vanessa and Catherine exchanged knowing smiles.
"Ms. Stanfield said that?" Vanessa asked, feigning innocence.
Nica nodded. "Yes, Ms. Steele. She mentioned that a friend of hers would be coming today. And knowing Ms. Stanfield, she only associates with people of her status."
"Oh! That makes sense!" Catherine said excitedly. "Vanessa, you didn’t tell me you were friends with Ms. Stanfield! You should introduce me when I start planning my wedding!"
Vanessa hesitated for a brief second but quickly recovered, lifting her chin. "Of course, Catherine!" Then she turned to Aurora with a smug expression. "See, Aurora? You should know your place."
Aurora almost laughed. There was no way Angela had said that. She shook her head, amused.
"Are you sure Angela said that?" she asked Nica.
Catherine gasped. "How dare you call Ms. Stanfield by her first name?!"
Vanessa’s expression faltered. Something about Aurora’s confidence unsettled her.
"You’re stepping out of line, Aurora. Show some respect!"
Aurora smirked. "Why don’t you call her now?" She turned to Nica. "Let’s hear what she has to say about this."
Nica’s confidence wavered. But knowing Vanessa was on her side, she straightened her posture. "Why should I do that for you?"
"Right? Who do you think you are?" Vanessa sneered.
Aurora remained unfazed. "I’m just saying… I doubt Angela would appreciate hearing that her staff is showing blatant favoritism just because of someone’s last name. I know her well enough to be sure she doesn’t look down on others."
"There! She did it again!" Catherine shrieked. "Vanessa, you have to tell Ms. Stanfield! This is complete disrespect!"
Aurora turned to Vanessa, arching a brow. "Yes, Vanessa. Why don’t you call her yourself? If she’s really your friend, you should have her number, right?"
Vanessa’s face turned pale. "What?"
Aurora tilted her head. "Well? I’d love to hear Angela confirm that you’re her friend."
Vanessa’s jaw tightened. "I don’t have to prove anything to you! You’re just jealous because I have connections, and you still can’t move on from Ethan!"
Aurora chuckled. "Fine. If you won’t call her… then I will."
She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts. The room fell silent as all eyes watched her.
"Who is she calling?" Catherine whispered. "Is it really Ms. Stanfield?"
Vanessa scoffed. "As if she actually knows her."
Nica shifted uncomfortably, gripping the wedding gown tightly. Doubt flickered in her eyes, but she wasn’t ready to admit her mistake just yet.
Then, the call connected.
Angela’s face appeared on the screen in a video call, her warm smile greeting Aurora.
"Aurora! Hey! Where are you?" Angela’s cheerful voice filled the room.
Vanessa and Catherine’s eyes widened.
"I’m at your boutique," Aurora said smoothly.
"Oh, really? Did you find your gown? I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there to assist you. I had a last-minute meeting abroad. But I did tell my staff to take care of you!"
Aurora smiled. "Thank you, Angela. But I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Your staff doesn’t seem to know who I am."
Nica’s heart pounded in panic.
Angela frowned. "Wait, what? Give me a second—I’ll call my manager right now. Stay there, Aurora."
"Thanks, Angela. I can’t wait to see you soon."
"Of course! I’ll be at your wedding! Congrats again! Bye!"
The call ended, and a second later, Nica’s phone rang.
Her face turned ashen. With trembling hands, she answered.
"I-I’m so sorry, Ms. Stanfield! I didn’t recognize her! I’ll take care of her immediately!" Nica stammered, nodding frantically.
When she ended the call, she turned to Aurora and bowed deeply.
"I-I’m so sorry, Ms. Aurora! I didn’t realize you were Ms. Stanfield’s friend. Please forgive me! I’ll personally assist you from now on!"
Vanessa’s mouth dropped open in shock. "How do you know her?!"
Aurora smirked.
"That, Vanessa, is none of your business."
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The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 10: Changes
Vanessa stormed into Ethan’s office, slamming the door behind her. Her frustration was evident in the way she stomped across the room. She still couldn’t accept that Aurora had taken the gown she wanted—her gown. But what infuriated her even more was discovering that Aurora was somehow acquainted with Angela Stanfield.How the hell does a lowly secretary like her know someone like Angela?Ethan glanced up from the document he was reading. The moment Vanessa sank onto the couch, arms crossed and scowling, he knew something was wrong.“Babe? What’s wrong? How did the fitting go?” he asked.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-02The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 11: If you just know
Aurora sat at a table in the Dawson Hotel and Restaurant, waiting for Rebecca Dawson, her childhood friend. She hadn’t seen Rebecca since leaving their mansion, but Rebecca had promised to help with the food tasting for her wedding. Lucian was also supposed to come, but his attendance was uncertain due to a business meeting.The restaurant was a five-star establishment owned by Rebecca’s family. The chef was world-class, and the ambiance was tailored for the elite.“Gosh, you again?”Aurora turned at the sound of the voice, rolling her eyes when she saw it was Vanessa and Catherine. She glanced back at her table, trying to ignore them.Vanessa’s irritation grew as she approached Aurora’s table and sat across from her, flashing a tight, forced smile. “So, what are you doing here now, huh? Food tasting?”Aurora didn’t even look up. “It’s none of your business, Vanessa.”Vanessa’s eyes narrowed with disdain. “Oh, so now you’re acting all high and mighty? Can’t you see that Ethan doesn’t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-02The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 12: The Best Friend
“What the hell is happening here?!” Rebecca demanded in shock.She frowned as she saw Aurora being held by the guard. Without hesitation, she turned to him. “You! Let her go!”The guard immediately released Aurora but remained standing beside her, unsure of what to do next. Aurora straightened her posture and adjusted her clothes, her expression calm despite the commotion.Vanessa and Catherine exchanged glances before stepping forward.“Are you Ms. Dawson?” Vanessa asked with a polite smile. “I’m Vanessa Steele, fiancée of Ethan Calloway. I’m sorry, but this woman is causing trouble here.”Rebecca raised an eyebrow. “Really?” She turned to Aurora.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-03The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 13: Tea time
Rebecca and Aurora sat in the VIP room of Dawson Restaurant. In front of them was a long table where waiters carefully placed the restaurant’s finest dishes.“Now, tell me everything, Aurora,” Rebecca said, leaning forward with interest. “It’s been, what? Five years?”Aurora sighed, nodding. “Yes. Five years… and now I’m back.”Rebecca chuckled. “Well, you shouldn’t have left in the first place.” She waved her hand dismissively before her expression turned serious. “Alright, enough stalling. Who was that woman back there?”Aurora shook her head before launching into her story. She told Rebecca everything—how she had left her family, how she had trusted Ethan, only to be betrayed in the worst possible way. The cheating, the lies, everything. She spoke as they waited for the food to be served.Rebecca slammed her hands on the table in frustration. “I knew it! I knew that man was a walking red flag! Ugh, this is so frustrating!”Aurora grinned. Rebecca had always seen through Ethan, even
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-03The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 14: Dinner
The food tasting had finally come to an end. Aurora leaned back in her chair, feeling full but satisfied. The menu for the wedding was set, and everything had gone smoother than she expected.Rebecca, ever the perfectionist, had insisted on only the finest dishes. And to top it all off, she had asked the waiter to bring out the most expensive bottle of wine the restaurant had to offer.“To celebrate,” Rebecca had said with a smirk, raising her glass.Aurora had laughed but played along, clinking her glass with hers. Even Lucian, usually composed and unreadable, had taken a sip without complaint.“Alright,” Rebecca finally said, checking the time on her phone. “I have another meeting, so I have to go.” She turned to Aurora, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “But you, my dear best friend, are free for the evening. No plans, right?”Aurora narrowed her eyes. “What are you up to?”Rebecca shrugged innocently. “Nothing. Just making sure Lucian doesn’t have any excuses not to take you ou
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-03The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 15: Stares
Ethan went silent the moment his eyes landed on Aurora, seated at the other table with another man. A strange, unfamiliar emotion twisted inside him—something he couldn’t quite understand.Jealousy? Regret? Frustration?“Babe? Are you even listening to me?” Vanessa’s irritated voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Her brows were furrowed in annoyance.Ethan didn’t answer. He kept his gaze locked on Aurora, completely oblivious to Vanessa’s growing frustration.Following his line of sight, Vanessa turned her head—and when she saw Aurora, her expression twisted with pure rage.“That bitch!
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-04The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 16: A Warning
Aurora and Lucian finished their meal but decided to stay for a while longer, savoring their wine.“You haven’t told me much about yourself, Mr. Blackwood. Where are your parents?” Aurora asked, genuinely curious. When they first met, Lucian wasn’t with his family. Even when she had searched for him through Red, his parents weren’t listed.Lucian fell silent for a moment, and his expression shifted, his eyes growing distant. There was hesitation in his gaze. Aurora noticed the change but saw his face quickly settle back into a neutral mask.“They’re already dead. I never had the chance to meet them.”Aurora’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I… I didn’t mean to bring up something painful.”Lucian smiled softly. “It’s okay. I’ve moved on.”Aurora exhaled, trying to process the information. “But, who’s with you now?”“I was adopted when I was five,” Lucian continued, his voice steady. “Since then, he’s been like a father to me. Actually, it’s because of him that I’m wh
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-04The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 17: Rekindled Feelings
Aurora returned to their table, the air around her now thick with tension. She sat down across from Lucian, who immediately noticed the shift in her demeanor.“Aurora, is everything alright?” Lucian asked, his voice low with concern. His eyes scanned her face, trying to read what was wrong.Aurora forced a smile, masking the turmoil inside. She didn’t want to bring the conversation about Ethan and everything that had happened back into the evening. Not now. Not with Lucian.“I’m fine,” she replied, her voice steady but distant. “Just a little tired, that’s all.”Lucian seemed to accept her answer, though the doubt lingered in his eyes. He didn’t press further, but he continued to watch her quietly, perhaps sensing that something wasn’t quite right.They finished their drinks, the silence between them growing heavier. The rest of the evening felt like it was happening in slow motion, with the clinking of glasses and soft chatter from other patrons fading into the background. Nothing ma
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-04
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The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 152: The Brother
Aurora barely had time to think as she rushed through the grand hallway, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Every second felt like an eternity, and every breath was filled with a sense of urgency. Loyd was out there, somewhere, trapped in the hands of a man she had thought was long dead.Lester Aldric.The name sent a shiver down her spine. She had spent the last few hours wrestling with the shock of it, but there was no time for hesitation now. If what Red had found was true, then Lester was alive, and he was the one behind her son’s kidnapping.She clutched her phone tightly in her hand as she stormed toward the front door. She was going to end this.But just as she reached the entrance, the heavy doors swung open, and Lucian stepped inside.Aurora’s breath hitched.Lucian was dressed in a sharp black suit, his tie loosened slightly as though he had rushed here. His golden eyes immediately locked onto her, dark with intensity. The moment he saw her standing there,
The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 151: The Kidnapper
Aurora hadn’t slept for hours. The weight of the situation had turned her mind into a whirlwind of thoughts, none of them bringing any comfort. The room felt suffocating, the silence deafening. It was the kind of silence that screamed for answers—answers that she still didn’t have.She sat in front of her laptop, staring at the screen as Red’s interface blinked at her, its cheerful emoji face betraying the severity of the situation.“Find him, Red. Find Loyd,” she whispered, her voice hoarse from the strain of the past 24 hours.Her hands moved across the keys, the same commands over and over again. Every search, every trace led to a dead end. Loyd’s whereabouts were still a mystery. The police were still investigating, but they had no leads. No clues. The frustration gnawed at her like a beast trying to break free from its cage.Every second felt like an eternity. Every thought was a question. Where is my son?Her mind wandered to the last time she’d held him, kissed his forehead, t
The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 150: Kidnapped
Aurora sat in the living room, her hands gripping her phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white. The room was filled with police officers, their radios buzzing, their voices low but urgent as they coordinated the search for Loyd.But it wasn’t fast enough.Nothing was fast enough.Her baby was missing.Her heart pounded erratically in her chest, her breathing uneven.Loyd.Where was he? Was he scared? Was he crying for her?The thought made her stomach churn.She forced herself to stay strong. She couldn’t afford to fall apart—not now.Taking a shaky breath, she pressed the call button.Lucian picked up on the first ring.“Aurora,” he said, his voice sharp, controlled—but she could hear the underlying panic.“It’s Loyd,” she choked out.“I know.”There was silence for a brief moment. Then—“I’ll handle it.”Aurora clenched her jaw. “We need to tell the police—”“No.” Lucian’s voice was firm, cutting her off.She frowned. “Lucian, they can help—”“They won’t,” he bit out. “They’l
The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 149: Failed
Lucian clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he paced his office.His plan had failed.Aurora knew everything now.He had wanted to protect her—to handle this mess before she ever found out. But now, the fragile trust they had rebuilt was at risk of shattering.Lucian slammed his fist against his desk, his chest heaving.Damn it.He never wanted to invest in CRS Holdings. Never wanted to be involved with Don Ramon again. But the old man had forced his hand. Blackmail.If Lucian hadn’t complied, Don Ramon would have unleashed something far worse.And now?Now, he was losing Aurora.A bitter taste filled his mouth as he grabbed his suit jacket. He couldn’t let this continue.He had made a mistake, but he could still fix it.He was going to see Don Ramon.And this time, he was cutting ties for good.—Don Ramon sat comfortably in his leather chair, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. His gray eyes gleamed with amusement as Lucian stormed into his office.“Well, well,” the older
The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 148: Don Ramon's work
Aurora’s heart pounded as she watched Red process her request. The AI’s animated face flickered for a few seconds before its voice chimed through her AirPods.“Scanning for data… Please wait, Master.”Her grip on the iPad tightened.She didn’t know what she was expecting. Maybe she wanted Red to tell her that this was all a mistake—that Don Ramon was still locked away where he belonged. That someone was playing a sick joke on her.But she knew better.The locket in the black box had been real. And Don Ramon wouldn’t send something like that unless he wanted her to know he was free.Minutes passed in tense silence. Aurora sat frozen at her desk, her mind racing.She had spent years trying to rebuild her life after everything he had done. She had buried the past. She had fought through her pain, through her anger, and finally, she had found peace.But now?Now, he was back.Red’s voice pulled her from her spiraling thoughts.“Search complete! Displaying results now.”Aurora’s screen fli
The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 147: The Old Locket
For days, Aurora had refused to speak to Lucian. She had seen his messages, the calls he left unanswered, but she ignored them all.It wasn’t that she had decided to cancel the wedding. No, she still wanted to marry him. But she needed time to think.The past still hurt.Because of Don Ramon, she lost her father. Because of him, their family had nearly lost everything.And worst of all, her mother had suffered the most. It had taken years for Carmela to even tolerate Lucian’s presence in their lives, and that was only because of her and Loyd.If Carmela found out that Lucian had kept Don Ramon’s release a secret?Aurora clenched her jaw. She would be devastated.She thought she had reached her limit. That nothing could make this worse.But then—a package arrived.A small black box, wrapped in a blood-red ribbon.At first, she thought it was a wedding gift. A well-wisher, perhaps. Or maybe even Lucian, trying to make amends for what he had done.But the moment she opened it, a wave of
The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 146: Cries
Aurora clutched the glass of wine in her trembling hands, staring blankly at the city lights beyond Rebecca’s penthouse window. The night sky stretched endlessly before her, but all she could feel was the suffocating weight pressing against her chest.Tears streamed down her face, hot and relentless. She wiped them away furiously, but they kept falling.“I should’ve known,” she whispered, voice hoarse.Rebecca, sitting across from her on the couch, crossed her arms, her expression hard. “You’re damn right you should’ve.”Aurora flinched at the sharpness in her friend’s tone. Rebecca never sugarcoated anything, but tonight, she wasn’t just blunt—she was angry.“Do you realize what this means, Aurora?” Rebecca continued, leaning forward. “That man—Don Ramon Blackwood—he ruined your life. He manipulated Lucian. He almost destroyed everything. And now he’s just… out?” She scoffed, shaking her head. “And Lucian didn’t even tell you?”Aurora swallowed the lump in her throat. “He said he w
The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 145: The Truth is out
Aurora stormed into Blackwood Enterprises, her heels clicking against the marble floors with purpose.The moment she stepped inside, the receptionist and employees turned to look at her. Some murmured in hushed tones, but she ignored them.She was furious.Lucian had been keeping something this important from her.Her hands clenched at her sides as she took the elevator up to the executive floor. The doors opened, and she stepped out, heading straight for Lucian’s office.“Ma’am—” Lucian’s secretary, Janine, started, but Aurora had already pushed the door open.Lucian was standing near the floor-to-ceiling windows, a phone pressed to his ear. At the sound of the door slamming shut, he turned, his blue eyes narrowing slightly when he saw her.“I’ll call you back,” he muttered, ending the call.Aurora stood there, arms crossed, anger simmering beneath the surface. “How long?”Lucian sighed, already knowing what she meant. “Aurora—”“How long have you known?” she demanded, her voice shak
The Gold Maker Ex's Revenge Chapter 144: The Interview
Aurora barely had a moment to breathe.Between wedding preparations and handling company affairs, her days had turned into a whirlwind. But for the first time, she didn’t feel pressured.This wedding was different.It wasn’t an obligation, a contract, or a forced responsibility. This time, it was hers. It was theirs.She had chosen this path with Lucian because she loved him, and every detail of the ceremony reflected that. From the floral arrangements to the venue selection, everything felt magical.But even as she juggled everything, there was still work to do. Today, she had an important media interview representing the company, ensuring investors and clients that the transition of leadership under her and Lucian remained stable.Aurora arrived at the studio dressed in a tailored beige suit, exuding confidence. She had done countless interviews before, so she thought she was prepared.She was wrong.The first half of the interview went smoothly. The questions were professional—abou
