Aurora listened intently as Michael Bardem shared his thoughts on design. It was surprising to learn that this business tycoon wasn''t a finance student from a prestigious university, but instead had studied fine arts.


    He had been a painter from a young age, growing up in a humble family. His first love, however, abandoned him, dismissing his passion for painting as a dead end.


    That heartbreak changed the trajectory of his life. Michael, who once had little regard for material wealth, resolved to reinvent himself. He set aside his paintbrushes, rejected his dream of bing a designer, and turned to finance. It turned out he had a remarkable talent for it, far exceeding others, and sess followed him naturally.


    As his business empire grew, he never found the time-or perhaps the courage-to return to painting. A lingering regret stayed with him.


    Aurora, in some way, had filled that void for him. She wasn''t just sessful in her business ventures; she also stayed true to her passions. Whether or not Aurora was Victoria''s daughter, Michael genuinely liked her. She was independent, determined, and persistent. It was only natural for him to help her.


    "Alright then, it''s rare for me to be this interested," Michael said, genuinely looking forward to seeing her creations. Each of her designs seemed to carry a unique charm.


    "Uncle Bardem, were you close with my mom?" Aurora asked. She always felt that others knew more about her mother than she did.


    "Yes, we were close. Your mother was a genius. Back in the day, she skipped several grades and was the youngest student in our year at university.


    The finance courses were long andplex, and many students failed, but she was always in the top three of her ss. She finished all her courses early and left. Do you know how old she was at the time?"


    This was the first time Aurora had heard anyone speak about her mother''s past. Curious, her eyes sparkled with anticipation.


    "How old? Mom never talked about her past. I was too young to understand even if she had. Later, before she could tell me more, she was already gone."


    "She was sixteen! I heard she''d been skipping grades every year before college, which was unheard of.


    But the R family had high standards. They believed that since she had already mastered the knowledge, there was no point in wasting time at school. They arranged for her toplete all her university courses early.


    Back then, I didn''t interact much with her at school. I was in design, and she was in finance. I only ever heard about the prodigy girl from afar.


    We truly crossed paths after entering the professional world. By then, I had just started my business, and she, at sixteen, had already taken over R Corporation.


    We met a few times, but soon after, she disappeared. No one knew where she went. But she changed my life.


    When I was at my lowest, she gave me the will to carry on. The next time we met was eight yearster, by which time I had already made a name for myself.


    I had searched for her for a long time, but no one knew where she had spent those eight years. She was like a mystery-vanishing and reappearing without exnation.


    When she returned, I had built mypany and was confident enough to coborate with R Corporation. That''s when we interacted more frequently.


    I admired and pursued her for a long time, but ultimately, I failed.


    I thought she was too proud to like someone as ordinary as me. But to my surprise, she remained single for years.


    It was only by chance that I learned she had a daughter. Even the R family didn''t know. I kept her secret for her."


    "So my mom was amazing," Aurora said, her thoughts drifting to the image of Tina''s lonely silhouette in the New York office.


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    If her mother hadn''t met her father, would she have been happier?


    "Yes, she was incredible and brilliant. Stronger than most men I''ve known. Back then, when I was at my worst, she helped me, and I''ve never forgotten that.


    I heard Mio Walsh wasing to negotiate on behalf of the R family. Initially, I intended to give him the resources. Who would''ve thought you''d beat him to it?" Michael said with a smile.


    "I had no choice. Ourpany is nowhere near the scale of R Corporation. If you''re willing to help us, everyone at ourpany will be forever grateful," Aurora said sweetly.


    "You''re a smooth talker, little girl. Don''t worry. Since I''ve decided to give you the resources, I won''t go back on my word. I''ll schedule a time for us to discuss the coboration. I have something to attend to this afternoon, so I''ll have to leave soon."


    "Thank you for giving us this opportunity. If you need anything, contact Ashy. He''s handling thepany''s affairs for now."


    "Alright."


    The conversation was pleasant, and the meal was filled withughter. After seeing Michael Bardem off, Aurora copsed into her chair, utterly exhausted.


    "Phew, it''s finally over. Thank goodness Uncle Bardem was easy to deal with. I was so nervous," she said, her face still tense.


    "Little genius, thepany owes you big time for this! I came here expecting nothing, but who knew we''d get so lucky?"


    "I think the heavens finally noticed all the hardships I''ve endured and decided to make it up to me," Aurora said with a smile.


    She felt that ever since she met Julian, her luck had turned. Even such coincidences now seemed destined. She couldn''t have imagined this in the past.


    "Yes, the heavens are finally on your side. You''ve earned this happiness," Asher said, genuinely happy for her.


    Aurora had been nning tounch her skincare brand in the European market. But this project with Michael Bardem was an unexpected windfall. Once they secured the deal, theirpany would gain international recognition.


    This would pave the way forpeting for major global contracts, significantly elevating their status. It was a golden opportunity.


    But while some celebrated, others despaired.


    The next day, Mio Walsh lounged in his hotel room, wearing a robe and holding an exquisite ss of red wine. He had just met with an old lover. Every time he was with a woman, he insisted on showering afterward. He found them filthy.


    The red wine slid down his throat like liquid fire. Everything was moving ording to


    his n. Soon, he believed, he would im the position of head of the R family.


    But then someone barged in, panicked.


    "Mr. Walsh, there''s a problem," the man stammered.


    "Hm?" Mio Walsh nced up at his secretary.


    "Michael Bardem''s secretary just called. They''ve already chosen apany to coborate with," the secretary said, wiping sweat from his forehead.


    "Whichpany?" Mio Walsh''s sharp, cold eyes fixed on him.