Phil''s remark had Aurora sensing something was off.


    "Phil, what do you mean? Say it again."


    "He''s just spouting nonsense. Dinner should be ready; let''s go eat," Julian interrupted the conversation.


    Aurora frowned.


    "Julian, are you involved in this? What''s this about two pieces ofnd? Phil, you know, tell me."


    Phil thought Aurora was aware of the situation, but her puzzled expression proved otherwise. Had he just slipped up?


    He had assumed Julian would boast about such a good deed, wanting the whole world to know what a great man he was.


    Little did Phil know that his cousin preferred to keep a low profile, performing good deeds anonymously and insisting they remain secret.


    Now, Phil regretted his slip of the tongue, fearing Julian would have his hide.


    "Cough, cough, the soup is still on the stove; I''ll go check if it''s ready. You two keep talking."


    Making a quick exit seemed the wisest decision.


    Seeing Julian''s demeanor, Aurora started piecing things together-why Eric suddenly handed her the order and why Julian was unexcited upon hearing the news.


    It turned out Julian had orchestrated the whole thing. She had thought it was a stroke of luck falling from the sky.


    "Julian, I think you owe me an exnation."


    "Little Bunny, it''s no big deal. I heard you wanted to be the vice-president, so I just gave you a little help. I thought it was too trivial to mention," Julian said, drawing her close.


    Aurora sighed, knowing his intentions were good; he truly cared deeply for her, doing good deeds without seeking credit.


    If Phil hadn''t revealed the truth today, she might never have known the real reason. "Julian, that''s just a vice-president position. The price you paid might be heavier than the position itself."


    In the business world, opportunists abound; had Julian spoken up, the man would surely have inted the price to take advantage of the situation.


    "What''s more important than you? Silly, I''m not broke just because someone divided up two plots ofnd. Come on, let''s eat."


    Julian managed to cate Aurora with a few words, and she couldn''t argue further; if the one paying wasn''t concerned, it would be petty for her to fuss.


    "Alright. Oh, Julian, the day after tomorrow is my grandfather''s 80th birthday," Aurora reminded him.


    "I know, I''ll prepare a gift."


    "An 80th birthday? Wow, that must be quite the event! Aurora, you have to take me to your grandfather''s birthday, or I won''t be happy," Phil, whose ears were quite sharp, managed to catch this key piece of information even from the kitchen.


    "Of course, Phil, you muste," Aurora said with a slight smile.


    With Phil around, Aurora felt her home was much livelier, especially since this tall young man often clung to her arm and acted spoiled, a delightful contrast.


    She imagined that if she had children, they would also cling to her, asking for things in the same way.


    News of Oswaldo''s 80th birthday spread throughout the financial circle, and he had scheduled the birthday party at the city''s most upscale venue, The Keswick Hotel.


    Not long ago, it was Joaquin''s 80th birthday. Both the Alvarez and Montgomery families were well-known financial dynasties, and with the birthdays being so close,parisons were inevitable.


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    While the Alvarez family held theirs at their own luxurious hotel, Joaquin chose The Keswick, elevating the affair to another level.


    People in the industry were also waiting to be dazzled, as this time Oswaldo was going all out. He even announced that his granddaughter would be engaged at this party. This was a surprise Julian had arranged with Oswaldo in private, despite having already nned a proposal before. Aurora had not epted his previous proposal, and no one else had witnessed it. Now, seizing this opportunity, he wanted to give Aurora a grand surprise.


    In the presidential suite of the Keswick Hotel, a person emerged from the bathroom, d in a bright red silk nightgown, her fair legs partially visible beneath the hem. Her ck, slightly curled hair was tossed to one side. Even without any makeup, her beauty was striking. From her skin, who would guess she was already forty? She looked no more than thirty.


    The woman raised her hand, wearing a uniquely designed ring with a sun emblem on her index finger. Someone quickly handed her a ss of awakened red wine.


    "Matriarch," they addressed her. Holding the wine ss thoughtfully, she gazed at the distant city lights, then tipped her head back and drained the ss.


    "Matriarch, please drink slowly; your stomach can''t handle this much stimtion," a woman in ck expressed concern beside her.


    The woman paid no heed, asking indifferently, "What''s on the agenda for tomorrow?"


    "Matriarch, tomorrow involves a meeting with Montgomery Group about a maritime project, and the day after..."


    "Montgomery Group?" she murmured.


    "Yes, any issue?"


    "No, what about the day after?" the woman asked, pouring herself another full ss of wine from the decanter.


    "The day after is free during the day, but in the evening, there''s Mr. Oswaldo Montgomery''s eightieth birthday celebration. Matriarch, I know you find these events tiresome, but since we''ve decided to refocus our efforts back in this city, it''s essential to build good rtionships with these people," the woman in ck exined.


    "I understand," the matriarch''s expression was unfathomable, concealing her thoughts.


    "It''s gettingte; let''s rest early. I will wake you at eight tomorrow."


    "Alright."


    "And please, no more wine; your body can''t handle it..."


    Her words were cut off as the woman interrupted, "You may leave now."


    Her dismissal, though softly spoken, carried an undeniable authority.


    "Yes," the woman in ck left slowly. Once she was gone, the matriarch stood silently


    on the balcony, letting the breeze y with her hair.


    "After all these years, I still can''t escape those people, huh..."


    she murmured to herself, taking another sip of wine. The taste was lightly sweet,


    slightly astringent, with a touch of unexined bitterness.


    Setting down her ss, she turned back to the room and sank into the soft bed,


    echoes of a tender child''s voice lingering in her ears: "Mommy, will Daddye back?"


    "Mommy, Daddy is gone, and now Aurora has only you. Please don''t leave Aurora."


    "Mommy, look, I won another medal today."


    "Mommy, does this dress look nice on Aurora?" "Mommy..."


    Tears traced her fair cheeks, falling into the pillow.