Sometimes it''s not just women who are sensitive; men can be too. He saw a man smirk sinisterly behind Aurora. No matter who the man was, he remained very vignt. Aurora gave a helpless smile, "I''m not as popr as you think."


    "That might not be true. I''m afraid, Little Bunny, you are far more popr than I imagined," Julian said as he held her tightly. The more precious something is, the more it is treasured, especially when regained. He did not want anyplications that might separate them again.


    "Are you just saying that to please me? Don''t worry, no matter who I meet, my eyes only see you," Aurora said as she hugged him back.


    "Little Bunny, stay away from that man. I don''t like the way he looks at you." Perhaps to others it was nothing, but as a man, Julian instinctively disliked him.


    "Alright, Young Master Ba, whatever you say. If you don''t like him, we don''t like him. I''ll avoid him from now on, okay?" Aurora nodded and shook her head as she spoke, nestled in his arms. Julian gently stroked her head and truly said, "Okay."


    The two held each other. "Where shall we go to eat?" Aurora asked, realizing the car was heading towards the downtown area, although she had assumed they would eat nearby.


    "I know a good restaurant. Let''s go there, or if there''s something specific you want to eat, I can take you," Julian said, showing great respect for her. Previously, his desire had been simply to pamper and love her, especially since she had suffered much in the past. After seeing the text she sent to Nick, which mentioned the word ''respect'', it seemed to be not only about how Nick should treat Irene but also what every woman desires.


    They need respect, space for freedom, care, and protection. A woman is like a sprout needing sunlight, rain, and air, and he wanted to be the big tree beside her. Quietly apanying her, his branches shielding her from the wind and rain, allowing her to grow independently and freely.


    "I''m not very picky about food; anything is fine. I''ve gotten used to living on my own for years," Aurora said as she leaned into his embrace. Despite her status, she had endured hardships beyond what ordinary people face, making her far less fussy about such things.


    "Okay."


    They soon arrived at the restaurant Julian had mentioned. Naturally, he wouldn''t choose a ce with anything less than excellent ambiance and service.


    "How does it feel on your first day at work?" Julian asked.


    "Not great, but time flew by," Aurora replied, leaning back on the soft sofa.


    "You skip meals when you work; I was afraid you''d skip lunch and keep working," Julian recalled something Asher had once mentioned. Given it was her first day, there would be a lot to do, and with Aurora''s personality, she would strive toplete everything perfectly, as if trying to stretch a day into two.


    "So, that''s why you came over?" Aurora finally understood why he hade at noon; he was worried she wouldn''t eat.


    "It was Ashy who told you, wasn''t it? He''s the only one who knows about this habit of mine. I had actually forgotten to eat, but luckily someone reminded me it was time to leave," Aurora felt a warm sensation inside.


    "Yeah, before he leftst time, he told me a bit about your temperament. Luckily you don''t like him, otherwise, I reckon I''d never have caught up with you," Julian said with a lightugh.


    "That''s true, Ashy was perhaps the most selfless person to have ever been kind to me," she said. Seeing Julian''s expression change, Aurora quickly added, "Of course, that was before. Now there''s you who''s kind to me."


    "That''s more like it. Asher is indeed a good man; he didn''t make things difficult. If he hadn''t let go, I might not have been able to be with you so smoothly." Even though Julian was often arrogant, he had to admit that Asher had been exceptionally good to Aurora.


    Maybe his love for Aurora wasn''t any less than his own, after all, he was the one who had spent three years at her side. He knew all of Aurora''s good and bad habits, having been her guardian angel for those years. If Aurora had shown even the slightest inclination towards love for him, he would have never let go.


    Originally, when he had been with Aurora, she had shown him a bit of affection, which made Asher step back. Knowing the hardships Aurora had faced in the past made him not want to put her in a difficult position, so he chose to step aside for her happiness. True love meant wanting her happiness, not possessing her, just like he had once silently watched over her, witnessing her sweet moments with Hayden. Asher was simply reprising the role he had once yed, which made Julian genuinely respect Asher.


    "Yes, Ashy is great, I''ve always known that," Aurora said with a warm glint in her eyes when she mentioned him.


    "Alright, let''s not talk about him. Who knows, he might be enjoying himself in America right now," Julian changed the subject. "Speaking of which, you mentioned you weren''t feeling great earlier, did something happen?"


    "There was a bit of trouble," Aurora recounted the morning''s events.


    "That woman was so arrogant?" Julian didn''t take it too seriously, considering the person Aurora described as just a foolish woman.


    Aurora had nothing to worry about; she was no longer a weakling. "Yes, but arrogant people often don''t end well."


    "That''s true. Let me know if you need my help," Julian still advised.


    "It''s a small matter; I can handle it. Let''s not talk about these unhappy things anymore, let''s eat."


    "Hmm."


    After lunch, Aurora felt tired; she had been intensely reviewing reports all morning. Now that she rxed, her body felt exhausted. On the way back to the office, she leaned on Julian and fell asleep in his arms. Julian, unwilling to wake her, instructed the driver to turn off the engine and leave, and they both napped in the car together.


    When Aurora woke up, it was already three o''clock. "Why didn''t you wake me? Now I''mte."


    "What does it matter if you''rete?" Julian responded with a deep kiss.


    Aurora, always punctual, pushed back, "I''m alreadyte, I have to go." She pushed Julian away and quickly left.


    "I''ll pick you up after work."


    "Okay," Aurora replied without turning back.


    Watching her hurried departure, Julian''s lips curved into a slight smile. Only after she left did he turn the sound back on his phone.


    Rocky had called several times. As soon as Julian answered, Rocky''s anxious voice came through, "Sir, wasn''t the meeting set for three? Everyone''s here, where are you?"


    "Tell them to wait another twenty minutes. I''m on my way," Julian replied coolly, his voice sharp and clear. Others certainly couldn''t enjoy the gentle treatment reserved for Aurora.