Megan had always found her cousin a little intimidating.

The moment she got into the car, she stayed quiet, not daring to say a word.

Inside the vehicle, the silence felt oddly heavy.

Aurora’s gaze drifted to the leather-wrapped rosary bracelet around Lucas’ wrist.

There was something familiar about it, but with the alcohol clouding her mind, she couldn’t quite place it.

Still, a hazy memory surfaced as she recalled the first time she had ever met him.

Years had passed, yet he remained just as striking, his presence just as commanding.

Megan’s house was close by.

After dropping her off, Lucas continued driving, now heading to Aurora’s hotel.

With just the two of them left in the car, his voice suddenly broke the silence, casual yet unreadable.

"Planning to stay in Ravenshore?"

"Yeah."

Aurora hesitated for a moment before nodding.

They weren’t particularly close, so after that brief exchange, the silence quickly returned.

The air conditioning was on full blast, and before she knew it, sleep crept up on her.

She had no idea how much time had passed when a deep voice pulled her back to consciousness.

"Aurora, wake up."

She opened her eyes and found herself staring directly into his dark, penetrating gaze.

For a brief moment, she felt disoriented.

"Lucas?"

Her voice was slow, still laced with sleep.

The car door was open now, and he had leaned in, his tall frame filling the space between them.

His face, impossibly striking, was suddenly too close.

He lowered his gaze, his features sharp and cold, yet effortlessly elegant.

The crisp scent of cedar clung to him, fresh and cool, wrapping around her senses.

For a second, the image of him overlapped with the memory of the boy who once left her breathless—the one she had never quite been able to forget.

Aurora’s red lips curved into a lazy smile. "You’re ridiculously good-looking."

The alcohol swirled through her veins as she blinked up at him, her eyes hazy.

Then, without warning, she reached out, looping her arms around his neck.

"Want to sleep with me?"

Her voice dragged at the end, slow and languid, dripping with temptation.

Lucas froze for a moment.

Then, with a composed expression, he reached up, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"You’re drunk," he said evenly.

She felt the soft graze of his fingers and let out a quiet hum, but she wasn’t about to let him off so easily.

"No, I’m not."

She was more than tipsy, her mind swirling with flashes of Joseph, the past few years, and the weight of her family’s expectations.

She was always rebellious and defiant.

Yet for Joseph, she pretended to be someone she wasn’t.

For a bet, she had willingly let herself be caged.

Tonight, maybe for the last time, she just wanted to let go.

"Lucas," she murmured, leaning in, her midnight-dark hair brushing against his cheek. "Do you want me or not?"

That fleeting touch, soft as a whisper, sent a slow, creeping sensation through him like a quiet, spreading fire.

The next second, his lips crashed onto hers, cool and unyielding.

His hand found her waist, fingers pressing in, possessive and sure.

His breath mixed with hers as he whispered against her lips, "Aurora, don’t regret this."

Then he caught her lower lip between his teeth, teasing and commanding, leaving no room for retreat.

Their breaths ran hot, mingling in the charged space between them.

Aurora’s lashes trembled as she caught her own reflection in Lucas’ dark eyes along with the undeniable pull of desire buried beneath his usual composure.

That cool, distant air of his was now wrapped in something deeper and turbulent.

A strange thirst settled in her throat, and without thinking, she pressed in closer, deepening the kiss, surrendering to the heat.

Inside the car, the atmosphere burned, thick with tension.

The quiet sounds of water and movement filled the air.

Some things between a man and a woman had a way of becoming dangerously addictive.

From the car to the bed, they tumbled into something neither of them stopped to name.

By the time it was over, Aurora felt as if waves of sensation had washed through her, leaving her limbs weak, her senses dulled.

When she woke, a deep soreness settled into her body.

Her eyes fluttered open, memories from the night before slowly piecing themselves back together.

Then, her body stiffened.

She had slept with Lucas.

Her mind spun as she processed it.

Even a fox knew better than to raid its own den, yet here she was, crossing an unspoken line.

Tessa’s face flashed through her thoughts, making the whole situation feel even more absurd.

Before she could think too much, the sound of running water cut off abruptly.

"You’re awake."

Aurora lifted her gaze just as the bathroom door swung open.

Lucas stood there in a robe, his lean, sculpted frame still damp.

Water droplets slid down his firm abdomen, disappearing beneath the fabric at his waist.

A flush crept up her cheeks before she could stop it.

"Sorry," she blurted out, instinctively searching for an excuse. "I was drunk last night."

Lucas paused, his expression unreadable.

His sharp eyes narrowed slightly, assessing her.

For some reason, his tone turned a few degrees colder. "So?"

Aurora picked up her clothes from the floor.

Faint marks dotted her skin, but she made no effort to cover them.

Instead, she met Lucas’ gaze directly, the corners of her red lips curving into a small, lazy smile.

"Megan and I are still friends," she said lightly. "So about last night… Lukey, you don’t mind, do you?"

That casual "Lukey" rolled off her tongue with a teasing lilt, slow and unhurried.

But maybe she was imagining it because the moment she said it, she swore his expression turned even colder.

He lit a cigarette, the faint glow casting shadows over his sharp features.

His dark eyes lingered on her before he drawled, his tone just as indifferent, "Do you give all your male friends nicknames? Like, say… Joseph Hunt?"

How did he know about her and Joseph?

The thought flashed through Aurora's mind, but she simply smiled and said, "No, Lukey. It's just that you've had your fun too, so let's just leave it at that."

She blinked, though a hint of guilt still lingered inside her.

Lucas was different.

Brilliant, accomplished, and famously unattainable, he was like the cold moon hanging high in the sky.

She had committed a sin.

Aurora cursed silently in her heart.

Lucas flicked the ash off his cigarette.

He didn't confirm or deny it—his gaze simply darkened.

"Whatever," he said coolly.

Aurora let out a quiet breath of relief.

After getting dressed, she left the hotel and took a cab back to the Walton estate.

Just as she got into the car, a short distance away, Judy caught a glimpse of her and froze for a moment.

Then, biting her lip, she tugged at Joseph.

"Joseph, I think I just saw Miss Walton."

"Aurora? What would she be doing here?" Joseph frowned slightly.

This was a five-star hotel, and given Aurora's background as a struggling student, there was no way she could afford to stay here.

"Maybe she still can't get over you. I think she heard you came to meet Mr. Carter, so she might have been waiting around on purpose..."

"Ignore her," Joseph said, his expression darkening.

He had no patience for women who didn't know their place.

Causing a scene at his birthday party was bad enough, and now she was playing this desperate clingy act?

Besides, he had treated her well enough.

Otherwise, a woman like Aurora would never have the chance to be in a relationship with someone like him.

Thinking about what his grandfather had instructed him, Joseph furrowed his brow.

"I should go meet the CEO from Vanguard Group. Grandpa said that no matter what, we must secure this project with the Carters."

The Hunt family had been on a downward slope for the past two years.

If they could establish a connection with Vanguard Group, there might still be a chance for them to turn things around.

However, Joseph ended up making a trip for nothing.

By the time he arrived, Lucas had already left—not only that, but he didn’t even get the chance to see Lucas’ assistant.

"Joseph, it's okay."

Judy consoled him gently. "There's another business gala in a while. When the time comes, you'll still have a chance to make a connection there."

"Yeah."

Joseph nodded, his gaze dark. "No matter what, I have to get this project with Vanguard Group."

Meanwhile, Aurora had no idea that Joseph and Judy were making such a scene.

After leaving the hotel, she returned home, where her sister, Tessa, and their mother were both present.

Seeing her, Grace looked at her with a cold expression.

"I warned you before that Joseph is no good, and the Hunt family has never been on good terms with us.

“According to the bet, you lost. Starting tomorrow, you’ll report to Walton Corporation.

“Once you're married and have familiarized yourself with the business, I'll transfer you to work directly under me.

“Your sister isn’t in good health. You need to take on more responsibilities for Walton Corporation."

Aurora knew her mother never changed her mind.

The fact that she had compromised even this much, allowing her to bet on this, was already rare.

Aurora didn’t say anything.

Beside her, Tessa suddenly let out a chuckle and said with an ambiguous tone, "Mom, Aurora just came back, and now Julian has become her future brother-in-law… Who exactly are you planning for her to marry?"

Julian Hayes was the man Grace had once planned for Aurora to marry.

However, he fell for Tessa at first sight and called off the engagement years ago.

Aurora and Tessa had never gotten along.

Tessa was an adopted daughter, but she had always been frail.

Since they were young, Grace had been cold and indifferent toward Aurora, while showing endless care and patience for Tessa.

Now that Tessa brought this up, it was clearly to humiliate Aurora.

Grace glanced at Aurora and spoke in a detached tone. "I'll have someone arrange a few marriage prospects for you in the next couple of days."

Tessa’s lips curled slightly.

Grace was always rational and pragmatic.

The husband she would choose for Aurora would undoubtedly be based on benefits, not Aurora’s wishes.

Aurora’s expression remained calm.

"Mom, you once said that when it comes to marriage, I should be the one to choose."

Grace frowned.

Aurora remained calm. "Don't worry, I’m done with Joseph. But since I’ll be taking over the Walton family, my marriage should at least be stable. I’d rather choose someone I don’t dislike."

Grace had never approved of her being with Joseph.

Part of it was her disdain for Aurora allowing emotions to cloud her judgment.

The other reason was that the Hunt family was a direct competitor to the Waltons.

Though the Hunts weren’t as powerful as the Waltons, they were still considered rivals.

In truth, when it came to marriage, Grace wasn’t overly controlling.

She wasn’t as invested in Aurora’s affairs as she was in Tessa’s.

Her sharp gaze swept over Aurora, assessing her for a moment.

"Fine, you can choose whoever you want to marry, but a bet is a bet. Don’t let me down, Aurora."

Aurora nodded.

Grace had other matters to attend to and turned to head upstairs.

Now, only Tessa and Aurora remained in the living room.

Though they were sisters in name, their relationship had always been lukewarm at best.

Tessa deliberately toyed with the expensive bracelet Grace bought for her at auction, letting out a mocking laugh.

"Aurora, do you really think you can find someone better than Julian? The whole social circle knows you lowered yourself for Joseph. Do you honestly believe anyone would still want to marry you?"

The Walton and Hunt families didn’t run in the same circles.

But in Ravenshore, rumors about Aurora being involved with another man had been spreading like wildfire.

Aurora merely cast Tessa a glance.

She felt nothing for this so-called sister.

In fact, when Julian called off the engagement, she had been relieved.

For some reason, Tessa always harbored resentment toward her.

"Julian?"

Aurora arched a brow and let out a mocking laugh.

"If you like him so much, keep him. But from what I’ve heard, he sleeps around quite a bit. Make sure he gets regular checkups, sister."

"You—"

Tessa's chest rose and fell in anger.

She knew full well the difference between her and Aurora.

Grace was strict with Aurora yet indulgent with her—not out of love, but because she had higher expectations for Aurora.

But why?

Why was Aurora the one who got to inherit the Walton family?

Why not her?

Just because she was adopted?

As she watched Aurora walk away, bitterness and unwillingness filled Tessa’s darkened gaze.

However, Aurora had no time to bother with Tessa’s feelings.

News of her situation had spread, and her friends were eager to introduce potential matches for her.

For three days straight, she met with one man after another, yet none of them piqued her interest.

She was about to leave when a familiar voice called out from nearby.

"Aurora? What a coincidence."

Judy walked toward her, arm linked with Joseph’s.

Her look had completely changed.

She was now draped in high-end designer labels from head to toe, yet she still carried that same gentle, obedient demeanor.

Beside her, Joseph frowned at the sight of Aurora.

She seemed different from before.

Her makeup was flawless, her lips painted a bold red, her dark hair flowing effortlessly.

Her gaze carried a lazy, indifferent air—bold, unrestrained.

Nothing like the woman he once knew.

"What are you doing here?"

Joseph brushed aside his stray thoughts and asked coldly.

This restaurant was exclusive to members.

Someone like Aurora had no place here.

Aurora curled her lips into a playful smirk. "And why wouldn’t I be here?"

"Miss Walton, are you working here?" Judy let out a soft laugh, her tone laced with pity.

"The pay here is good, but I didn’t expect a top university graduate like you to end up as a waitress just for money."

"And what’s wrong with being a waitress?"

Aurora’s gaze swept over Judy’s expensive outfit, each piece worth thousands, before she said casually, "At least I make my own money instead of relying on a man."

Judy’s face paled. She bit her lip, looking pitiful.

But Joseph’s expression darkened with disdain. "So what if I spend money on my woman?

“When we broke up, I even gave you two hundred thousand dollars in compensation, but you insisted on refusing it.

“Aurora Walton, with an attitude like yours, do you even deserve to work here?"

His face was cold as he signaled for the manager.

Beside him, Judy remained silent, watching Aurora with quiet obedience.

Aurora looked at the two of them.

Suddenly, she found it all ridiculous.

If she really were a struggling university graduate, then Joseph’s actions would have ruined her job, making her already difficult life even worse.

And Judy, someone who should have understood this better than anyone, just stood by and watched as Joseph made things harder for her.

So much for that pure, kind-hearted image.

Soon, the manager arrived.

"This waitress has a terrible attitude. I don’t think she’s fit to work here anymore," Joseph said coldly.

But the manager froze, looking startled.

He quickly explained, "There must be a misunderstanding, sir. Miss Walton is one of our elite members, not a waitress."

"What?"

Joseph was stunned. His brows furrowed as disbelief flashed across his face.

How could Aurora afford to be a member here?

She used to hesitate over buying cheap street food, always careful to eat every last bite of a strawberry, including the stem.

How could she suddenly afford an elite membership at a place like this?

She must have schemed, done whatever it took, just to get his attention.

Disgust welled up in his eyes.

"Aurora Walton, what exactly are you trying to do? Clinging to me, hoping to get back together?"

Aurora lifted her gaze, red lips parting as she uttered, "Idiot."