Simone''s eyes turned icy in an instant.


    Her voice, usually soft andposed, now rang out with an unfamiliar force and authority.


    "Aurora, spread the word for me: Joshua is mine. Unless I say otherwise, no one is to even think about making a move on him."


    Aurora was momentarily taken aback.


    "Simone, are you serious?"


    She had always thought Simone was just toying with Joshua, treating him as a fleeting challenge—a bit of fun, nothing more. After all, he was undeniably attractive. Even if it was a one-night stand, it wouldn''t be a loss.


    For someone like Simone-an heiress through and through-love with the poor, strategy with the rich; it was just the way of her world.


    Aurora quickly tried to reason with her. "Simone, your father will never agree to this."


    A strange, almost enigmatic smile tugged at the corners of Simone''s mouth.


    "Oh, he''ll agree," she replied, full of unshakable confidence.


    Aurora frowned. “Even if Joshuaes from money, he couldn''t possibly


    measure up to a family like the Lermans. They''re at the very top-old money, real power. Ordinary wealth just doesn''t cut it."


    Simone turned her head, that odd smile still lingering.


    "Who said hees from an ordinary family?"


    Aurora''s eyes flickered. "You''ve already found out who he really is?"


    "I haven''t," Simone admitted, "I was nning to take my time. But Rachel couldn''t


    hold out-she spilled everything."


    Aurora''s heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her voice.


    "So... who is he?"


    For Simone to say he was worthy of her-


    He had to be from one of the great families.


    Simone looked at her, a knowing glint in her eye.


    "Aurora, have you ever met the elusive head of the Gardner family?"


    Aurora froze, her voice barely more than a gasp.


    "You mean... the Gardners? The wealthiest family in the world?"


    vel


    Amongst the city''s elite, some families held power, others influence still others controlled unique resources-medical, financial, or political. But the Gardners? What they had was money, pure and simple. Even the


    Williams family, with all their assets, couldn''tpare.


    But the Gardners were legendary for another reason their secrecy.


    Each head of the family had met an early and mysterious death. Rumors swirled:


    a family cursed, shrouded in misfortune.


    So families like the Williams, the Lermans, the Burtons, the Watsons, and the Chapmans-all preferred to band together, maximizing their collective interests. The Gardners, on the other hand, rarely joined in.


    The newest Gardner heir had never even shown his face in public.


    Some whispered he was disfigured.


    Others imed he was disabled.


    There were even tales of multiple personalities.


    Whatever the truth, there was no denying it: the other families rarely did business with the Gardners.


    Simone nodded, an uncharacteristically gentle smile softening her features.


    "That''s right. It''s him."


    Aurora thought back to all she''d heard about the Gardners, then to Joshua''s easy manner and quiet charm. She hesitated.


    "But... he doesn''t seem anything like the rumors."


    Simone shrugged. “Idle gossip, that''s all. People say my brother''s a cold-blooded monster, but look how kind he is to you. He just pays back what''s owed, that''s all.


    Joshua is the Gardner heir. His status and fortune make him a


    perfect match for me. With the


    Gardners'' resources backing my brother, it''ll give him an even greater edge. My father won''t object."


    Aurora was silent for a long moment. Finally, she said quietly,


    "Simone, you really do have good taste."


    Noticing Aurora''s rare silence, Simone gave her a sidelong nce, a teasing smile ying on her lips.


    "Aurora,e to think of it, you''re the one who handed me this opportunity... You''re not having second thoughts, are you?"