“I don’t understand what you’re trying to do.”


    Aurora took a deep breath and said calmly, “I came to talk to you because if you’re getting involved in those projects just to get back at me, then there’s really no need.


    “I’m me. Thepany is thepany. I hope you can make that distinction. And frankly, this kind of behavior is childish.”


    “Childish?”


    Joseph let out a cold snort at that.


    Looking at Aurora’s calm, indifferent face, all he wanted was to drag her into the depths with him.


    Every time she wore that expression, he felt like a ridiculous clown with nowhere to hide.


    He hated it.


    “Childish or not, at least I know exactly what I’m doing.”


    He stood up and stepped closer to her, eyes dark with malice. “But you? You’re fake. You’re a liar. You know how to pretend.


    “I was the one you loved the most, remember? For three years, you took care of me in every possible way.”


    The more he spoke, the more furious he became.


    He never imagined he’d one day end up in prison


    And all of it was because of the woman he once loved most.


    But Aurora wasn’t moved.


    She turned her head slightly and said, “You brought it on yourself. Don’t me me.


    “I told you before not to pester me at mypany. You refused to listen. What else was I supposed to do? I had no choice but to take drastic action.”


    She didn’t flinch even as Joseph moved closer. She stared him down.


    Every word came out crisp and firm.


    She knew she’d done nothing wrong. He was the one at fault.


    She was just doing her job at her ownpany.


    He was the one who crossed the line.


    She’d warned him more than once. If that didn’t work, she had no choice but to act.


    But Joseph seemed to snap. He suddenly grabbed Aurora’s chin with a forceful grip.


    “That’s because I loved you enough!”


    He slowly leaned in, their faces growing closer. The closer he got, the more he caught the scent on her–it was still intoxicating and addictive.


    But this woman was ruthless.


    She was poison beneath beauty. He didn’t dare get too close.


    Roses were beautiful, but they had thorns.


    And Joseph had already felt the sting.


    Aurora let out a soft cry from the pain, unable to hold it back. “Let go. Before I get angry.


    “I’m warning you, if youy another hand on me I won’t hesitate to send you back to prison. Straight back to where you came from.”


    Joseph had started out joking, but he hadn’t expected Aurora to be this fierce.


    She used to be so gentle and considerate in front of him.


    Clearly, it didn’t take long for her true nature to show.


    “You’re angry?” Josephughed bitterly. “I haven’t even lost my temper yet. What right do you have to be angry?


    “Let me tell you–I’m going to go against you and Walton Corporation. Anything that has to do with you, I’ll tear it all down. I’ll make you feel what I felt.”


    Aurora couldn’t move with her chin gripped so tightly.


    She could only re at him fiercely. “You’repletely delusional,


    “Let me make this clear–none of what you’re nning is going to happen.


    “As long as I’m here, everything you dream of will stay just a dream. I won’t let you get what you want<b>, </b>so stop fantasizing.”


    Joseph was furious at her unshakable pride.


    X


    04