hapter <b>234 </b>


    But now, Aurora had to admit that something inside her had changed.


    That was why, whenever she looked at Lucas, she couldn’t fully control her emotions.


    That was just how people were–when feelings got involved, it became harder to keep things simple.


    The more you cared, the more you wanted.


    She kept telling herself over and over, “He already has his one true love. You’re just a tool. Stop fooling yourself.”


    Love, after all, was a gamble.


    The one who falls first always loses.


    Hadn’t Joseph taught her that lesson well enough?


    The thought alone made her want to w her own eyes out.


    She forced herself to push down the bitterness and turned her focus back to the documents on her desk.


    Thend issue was still unresolved–how could she let something like emotions drag her down now?


    By the time Lucas came out, fully dressed, he saw her poring over paperwork.


    She looked perfectlyposed, sses perched on her nose, that delicate face expressionless and serious.


    No trace of the woman from moments ago remained.


    Lucas pressed his lips into a tight line.


    He had made the trip here–he couldn’t just leave with nothing.


    “Rora, about earlier…”


    Before he could finish, Aurora cut him off without even lifting her head. “Mr. Carter, if there’s nothing else, you should go.”


    “Rora, can we not be like this? We never had a real conversation…”


    “Mr. Carter.<b>” </b>Her tone sharpened.


    That name cut deep. She never used to call him that.


    Only then did she look up at him, her eyes like des.


    “Mr. Carter<b>, </b>I don’t want to repeat myself a third time. My time is limited. What happened earlier was consensual, legal, and over.


    Don’t bring it up again. As for anything else, I don’t want to know. I have a lot on my te.”


    After saying all that, Aurora turned her gaze back to theputer screen.


    Seeing how firm she was, Lucas knew.


    aldn’t stay and keep pushing.


    +25 Bonus


    He understood her well enough to know that pressing further would only test her patience and boundaries–nothing good would


    In the end, Lucas had no choice but to quietly leave the office.


    The moment the door clicked shut, Aurora finally let her guard down and slumped back into her chair.


    She stared nkly at the screen, realizing that she hadn’t moved from the same page since she sat down.


    The only reason she kept urging Lucas to leave was to hide just how shaken she actually was.


    She was always the strong one–how could she let anyone see her falling apart?


    Taking a deep breath, Aurora forced herself to push the emotions down and focus on the project ahead.


    Outside the office, Lucas immediately became the center of attention.


    People nced his way, their curiosity barely concealed.


    He had been in the office for quite a while–surely something must’ve happened?


    Then again, considering the nature of their rtionship, maybe it wasn’t so surprising after all.


    Thinking of Aurora inside, Lucas casually gave a reminder. “Your general manager’s feeling a little tired. Unless it’s urgent, let


    her rest for today.”