Aurora and Julian spent a night at the Alvarez family''s residence before returning to Montgomery Manor. Oswaldo and Asher had hit it off surprisingly well.


    Now, Oswaldo, Asher, Magnus, and Aurora were all sitting together, ying a game of Chinese checkers. Despite the simplicity of the game, their sharp intellects turned it into an intense, almost nerve-wracking battle.


    Of course, Julian was deliberately losing. How could he bear to win against Aurora or the elders?


    "Julian, you''re holding back again. Don''t think I didn''t notice, even though you were sneakier this time," Aurora pouted.


    "I wasn''t!" Julian denied, though not very convincingly.


    "You once said that men hate to lose, didn''t you?"


    "Well, you don''t understand. Men hate losing to opponents, but you''re not my opponent. You''re my precious one."


    "Enough! You''re making my teeth ache!" Asher pretended to gag in mock disgust.


    "Who''s here?" Oswaldo, finding the group amusing, turned his head toward the sound of the opening door.


    "It''s Miss Ivy," the butler replied, his face betraying some awkwardness. Everyone in the household knew about Ivy''s situation by now.


    This time, Ivy seemed to have learned her lesson. She came bearing food. "Grandpa, happy New Year," she greeted warmly.


    It''s hard to turn away someone offering smiles and good wishes-especially on New Year''s. Surely, if she''d walked in asking for five million dors again, no one would have entertained her plea.


    "Happy New Year. Leave the food and go," Oswaldo said curtly. He had never liked Genevieve''s family, and now that it was confirmed Ivy wasn''t Magnus''s child, he didn''t even bother masking his disdain.


    Aurora, however, immediately saw through Ivy''s act. There was guilt in her eyes, but Aurora didn''t say anything. Ivy''s affairs were no longer her concern.


    Magnus, noticing Ivy''s disheveled appearance, asked, "Have you eaten? If not, stay and eat before you leave."


    It was the first day of the New Year, after all. He couldn''t bring himself to outright shoo her away. Ivy had been counting on this. She was indeed hungry after causing a scene at Paul''s house earlier, where she hadn''t had the chance to eat.


    To her, this still felt like her home. She''d spent so many summers and winters here growing up.


    "You''re ying checkers? Mind if I join?" Ivy asked, trying to blend in. There was still one unused color on the board.


    "Go ahead," Asher said.


    But as the game progressed, Ivy quickly realized she wasn''t on their level. The others yed with the precision of chess masters, their every move calcted. She, on the other hand, was like a kindergarten student trying to match wits with PhD schrs. She lost within a few moves and could only watch as the others continued their intricate battle.


    It became painfully clear to her that she didn''t belong in their world. Aurora, the true daughter of the Montgomery family, was every bit their equal. Her skills, her strategies-she was on par with the men around her.


    "Grandpa, I won," Aurora said with a triumphant smile.


    "Only because Julian set you up for it!" Oswaldo huffed. "That''s it, I''m done ying."


    "Perfect timing. Everyone, wash up and get ready for dinner," the butler said cheerfully, pleased that Oswaldo was in such a good mood.


    At the dining table, Asher and Julian took turns serving Aurora food, one cing dishes on her te, the other pouring her soup. They were so ustomed to caring for her that it seemed second nature.


    Watching this, Ivy''s heart burned with jealousy. Aurora knew Asher had feelings for her, yet she still allowed him to stay at Montgomery Manor. How could Magnus and the others tolerate this? How could they wee him so warmly?


    "Aurora," Ivy finally spoke, trying to sound casual. "I heard your newpany is doing really well. You''re growing so fast now. I was hoping you''de back and help out at home, but it seems you''ve outgrown the family business."


    "Dad, what are you saying?" Aurora replied with a lightugh. "Thepany is doing just fine under your leadership. You''re still so young-you''ve got at least another decade or two to run it. I just want to try my hand at something new right now."


    "That''s my granddaughter!" Oswaldo interjected proudly. "Independent and self- reliant, just like I was back in the day. You don''t need to worry about thepany, Aurora. I''ve already transferred all my shares to you. You''re now thergest shareholder of Montgomery Group. You cane back whenever you want.


    "Besides, you''ve built your own business without relying on the Montgomery family at all. You wouldn''t believe how impressed my old friends are. Even Joaquin, who used to always oppose me, can''t stop praising you!"


    The conversation was light and full of familial warmth, but every word felt like a dagger to Ivy. Shares. The Montgomery family business. These were the things she had once coveted the most. Now they were all Aurora''s.


    Everyone treated Aurora like a goddess while Ivy was reduced to being the clown.


    "Oh, and Joaquin was even discussing your wedding with Julian the other day. You two should start preparing for itter this year."


    "Grandpa," Aurora said hesitantly, "Julian has a big contract in Europe from February to April, and I''ll be busy too. Let''s wait until after April to talk about it."


    "June 29th," Oswaldo dered firmly. "You''ll get married on June 29th. Is April not enough time to prepare?"


    "Grandpa, when did we say we''d get married on June 29th?"


    "Joaquin and I consulted a fortune teller. Guess what? He said you two are a perfect match!"


    "Grandpa, you don''t actually believe in that stuff, do you? Those people just say whatever you want to hear to make you happy." Aurora chuckled.


    "This wasn''t just anyone," Oswaldo insisted. "He''s a master. A real master! He even said you two would face many obstacles before marriage, but if you overcame them, your life together would be sweet and harmonious. He specifically warned you not to let go of each other''s hands, no matter what happens.


    "I''ve heard about the challenges you''ve already faced. It''s clear you''ve already endured the worst. Now it''s time for things to get better."


    "Alright, Grandpa, we''ll keep that in mind," Aurora replied, treating it like a joke. She had no intention of taking the fortune teller''s words seriously.


    Meanwhile, Ivy ate in silence,pletely ignored by the others. She knew that if she didn''t speak up soon, she''d lose her chance entirely.


    After dinner, she finally mustered the courage to approach Magnus. "Mr. Montgomery, I... I have something to discuss with you. Can we talk in private?"


    At this, Oswaldo''s temper red. "What can''t you say in front of everyone? Speak here!"


    Ivy''s face fell. She knew there would be no room for negotiation now.


    "Go ahead and say it," Magnus said, looking at her calmly.