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."

For the first time, Aurora found it hard to reconcile the man before her with the one in her memories—the man who once comforted her, over and over, when she was temporarily blind.

Back then, after the earthquake, Joseph had saved her, staying by her side and reassuring her as they waited for rescue.

That was why she had been devoted to him for so long.

But she never imagined that the man who accompanied her through the darkness would turn out to be so arrogant and cruel.

"Aurora, a woman should have more self-respect," Judy said with a sigh, her expression one of helpless understanding, as if she were generously tolerating a clingy, unreasonable ex-girlfriend chasing after her boyfriend.

Aurora was just about to set the record straight when, suddenly, someone leaned in and whispered something to the manager.

The manager’s expression shifted.

He turned to Joseph, his tone polite yet firm.

"Apologies, Mr. Hunt, but your membership invitation has been revoked. You are no longer a member of this restaurant. Please leave."

Revoked?

This restaurant was well-known, and its owner was notoriously elusive and private.

Joseph’s expression darkened, but he forced himself to remain composed. "What does your boss mean by this?"

"My apologies," the manager said again, extending a hand toward the door.

"These are our owner’s instructions. I must ask both of you to leave."

Aurora paused for a moment, then let out a quiet laugh, watching the way Joseph’s face twisted with emotion.

Joseph shot her a sharp glance, clenched his jaw, but in the end, he didn’t dare make a scene.

Without another word, he turned and left with Judy.

As they stepped out of the restaurant, Judy hesitated.

Remembering the way Aurora looked just now, Judy felt aggrieved, her eyes turned slightly red as she asked, "Joseph, do you think this was Aurora’s doing?"

"Impossible," Joseph said coldly, his patience wearing thin.

"What kind of power would she have?"

"But isn’t the owner of this place supposed to be extremely wealthy? What if Aurora is still bitter over your breakup and deliberately got close to him? She does seem… different now."

Joseph frowned, thinking back to the way Aurora had carried herself tonight.

She really did seem like a different person.

Even her presence felt stronger than before.

"She wishes," Joseph said flatly.

"With her background, no one would take her seriously. She’s just a passing amusement. Just ignore her."

Only then did a faint smile appear on Judy’s lips as she obediently followed Joseph away.

…

In the restaurant, Aurora had long finished her arranged date for the night.

Still thinking about what had just happened at the restaurant, she wondered who exactly the mysterious owner was.

Just then, she caught sight of a familiar figure approaching from the distance.

It was Lucas.

She hesitated for a moment before greeting him with a sweet, casual smile, as if she had completely forgotten the absurdity of that night. "What a coincidence, Lukey."

His dark eyes lingered on her, calm and unfathomable, his voice low and steady. "Here for a date?"

Aurora nodded.

It was no secret—her arranged dates had been a hot topic in their social circle.

It wasn’t surprising that he knew.

"Madam Grace’s idea?" Lucas’s gaze deepened, unreadable.

Aurora wasn’t sure what he meant.

She looked up at him in confusion.

Then, unexpectedly, he spoke again.

"Interesting. My family’s been pressing me about marriage too."

He met her gaze. His expression remained indifferent as he asked, almost carelessly, "So, Aurora, want to get married?"

His voice was deep and husky, cool yet intoxicating.

Aurora’s heartbeat skipped for a moment.

She hadn’t expected Lucas to bring it up himself.

"Can I ask why?" she hesitated, as if something had just occurred to her.

"If this is about that night, you don’t need to take responsibility. Honestly, you were good in bed, and I had a great time."

It had been a mutual decision.

Besides, she was the one who made the first move, acting on impulse.

"If I had to give a reason…"

Lucas idly rolled the rosary bracelet around his wrist, his voice calm and unhurried.

"Call it mutual benefit. You’re Megan’s friend, and I trust her judgment."