The car stopped not far from the vige. His return had been rushed this time. Aside from the clothes and daily necessities he had bought for Aurora, he brought nothing else. The car was a rental, and once they arrived at their destination, it was destined to return to the small county town.


    "It''s chilly in the mountains. Put on a jacket."


    Aurora was still wearing a white dress. The warm climate of Lorvale made her dress lightly. Justin handed her a knitted cardigan to drape over her shoulders.


    Her long hair flowed freely, and the wind gently lifted the hem of her dress. Standing there amidst the mountains, she looked like a fairy descending to earth.


    Mrs. Woolf pulled Justin aside. "Justin, have you thought about what bringing Aurora back will mean for Lana? What will she think?"


    "Mrs. Woolf, you know as well as I do that, with or without Aurora, I''ve never liked Lana. This is the perfect chance for her to understand that clearly."


    "Men always protect the women they love, but are they always this cruel to those they don''t?" Mrs. Woolf had watched these two children grow up. It was unfortunate that Lana loved Justin while Justin didn''t reciprocate.


    That girl was stubborn, too. She had been waiting for Justin toe back and marry her. She even said that if Justin didn''t marry her, she wouldn''t marry anyone else in this lifetime.


    Now that Justin had brought Aurora back, Mrs. Woolf could already foresee how much this would hurt Lana. Without even seeing it, she knew the girl would suffer.


    "You''re mistaken, Mrs. Woolf. If I don''t love her, giving her false hope would be the real cruelty. I''ve made my rejection clear many times, but she insists on waiting."


    "Fine, fine. You young people sort out your own affairs. I can''t control it anyway. Let''s go."


    "Alright."


    Justin carried the bags and walked toward Aurora. "You''ll get to try some of our local specialties soon. You can''t find them in the big city."


    "What kind of specialties?" Aurora asked curiously.


    "You''ll see," Justin replied with a mysterious smile.


    Aurora followed him into the vige. The stilt houses were scattered in an orderly fashion. Many were newly built, featuring a more refined and modern designpared to the traditional ones. Nestled among the mountains, they blended harmoniously with thendscape.


    "Don''t underestimate these stilt houses. They''re fully modernized inside, so you don''t have to worry about inconveniences.


    "In the past, stilt houses were built to protect against snakes, insects, and rodents. Nowadays, they''re more about preserving tradition. asionally, touristse to the vige to sightsee."


    Aurora observed the surroundings. The pristine beauty of the area made it an ideal location for tourism. "Has no one thought about developing this ce? It''s perfect for tourism. The tourism industry is booming right now," she remarked.


    At moments like these, Aurora''s business acumen surfaced. She had unknowingly spotted another opportunity.


    Justin seemed like a decent person. Although she didn''t fully understand why he had be a pirate, she thought that if she could guide him back onto the right path, they might even coborate in the future.


    After all, Justin had saved her. Aurora had no desire to be his enemy. If they could be friends, so much the better.


    "You''re in the beauty industry. Why are you suddenly interested in tourism


    development?" Justin nced at her.


    Aurora was puzzled. She hadn''t mentioned her profession to him.


    "How did you know?"


    "I looked up the name of that perfume you had the other day. Turns out, you''re its creator."


    "Yes. Ever since I got pregnant, I''ve be more sensitive and emotionally vtile. Sometimes, I cry for no reason.


    "Actually, I''m not just in beauty and fashion. I''m also in real estate. I own a listedpany in New York that specializes in real estate.


    "Looking at this area''s natural beauty, if you ever want to develop it, I could help bring


    in some projects. That way, the people here could live better lives.


    "But tourism, while profitable, would also taint this untouched beauty. I can''t say whether it''s a good or bad thing."


    Justin and Mrs. Woolf were genuinely impressed. She was so young and already the CEO of a listedpany! If Aurora weren''t usually so low-key, they wouldn''t have believed it had someone else said it.


    "Money is a good thing, but not everyone needs it. I think preserving this purend is just as valuable."


    "True. Tourism would bring benefits, but overdevelopment could destroy this pristine environment. Every coin has two sides."


    "I didn''t realize it before, but now I see you''re an incredible businesswoman. No wonder you''re so sessful."


    "People are forged by hardship. I never imagined I''d achieve so much either," Aurora replied with a smile. The faint sadness in her expression felt familiar to Justin.


    She was likely referring to the abuse she endured from Ivy''s family and the betrayal by her best friend. Justin had only seen fragments of the news, but Aurora''s suffering was far greater than he had imagined.


    "Let''s not talk about this anymore. I''ll take you into the vige."


    Justin wanted to take Aurora''s hand, but she avoided him with a smile. "We''re not outside anymore. There''s no need to pretend to be a couple." Aurora was a sharp


    woman.


    Justin awkwardly withdrew his hand. It had taken so much effort just to get Aurora to start talking to him. He didn''t want to push her further away by overstepping. As they entered the vige, some locals noticed them.


    If you''re loving the book, nel5s is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Justin''s back? Just arrived? Why is it only you and Mrs. Woolf? Where''s Frank and the others?"


    "They had other things to take care of. I came back to attend the Petal Fest."


    "And who''s this? Haven''t seen her before."


    "She''s my girlfriend. I brought her back to take a look around."


    Aurora frowned slightly but didn''t interrupt. For one, speaking up would only embarrass Justin. For another, it wouldn''t change anything.


    Upon hearing the word "girlfriend," the vigers were visibly surprised. "And Lana? She''s been waiting for you all these years."


    "Mrs. Hensley, I''ve never agreed to anything with her. The person I like isn''t Lana. We''ve been traveling all day, so I''ll take her to rest first. Excuse us."


    It was only then that Aurora realized Justin had a childhood friend who deeply loved


    him. If she could bring the two of them together, perhaps Justin would finally let her


    go.


    "Who is this Lana?"


    "Don''t mind what others say. The only person I like is you," Justin replied, unwilling to borate further.


    "But Lana will definitelye looking for you," Mrs. Woolf interjected, as if she could already foresee the scene.


    Justin ignored the remark and led Aurora to a stilt house. "This is my home. I hope you don''t mind it." He imagined she must be used to living in luxury mansions.


    "I think it''s beautiful."