Spencer and Aurora turned at the sa ti, eyes narrowing as a young man with slicked-back blond hair strolled toward them.
He looked around nineteen, handso in a polished, showy way that scread privilege.
Draped on his arm was a stunning woman with sleek black hair and sharp eyes, clinging to him like he was the sun itself.
The easygoing warmth on Spencer’s face vanished, replaced by a flicker of irritation.
His jaw tightened ever so slightly. Aurora leaned closer and whispered, "Do you know him?"
Spencer’s eyes lit up as if he just rembered to act. His shoulders slouched a bit, and he gave a small, sheepish nod.
"Yeah... that’s Ryan," he said softly, his voice completely different—quiet, unsure, almost afraid. "My father’s love child."
"Hello, Ryan." He called out in a ek voice.
Aurora blinked. That na sounded familiar. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked back at the arrogant boy. Love child?
But Spencer? ek?
That didn’t add up.
The Spencer she knew was confident to the point of cocky.
He flirted like it was his job and strolled through life with all the charm and danger of a tiger in silk.
Seeing him act timid made her suspicious.
As if sensing her doubt, Spencer leaned in again, his voice lower, rough around the edges.
"When I was twelve," he began, eyes focused far away, "Ryan locked in a cupboard for three days."
Aurora’s lips parted, stunned.
"I almost died," Spencer continued, his voice thin.
"When I was finally found, no one blad him. He told them he ’rescued’ . They believed him. He was praised."
Aurora’s fists clenched at her sides.
Spencer gave a faint smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes.
"He used to drop bugs into my food while I was eating. I developed an eating disorder because of it. Took years to be able to eat without feeling sick."
He started listing things softly. Pushed down the stairs. Locked out during winter.
His favorite books destroyed. Constant lies that led to punishnt. It was endless.
Aurora’s eyes dimd with each word, her expression tightening in quiet anger.
She could feel the familiar swell of protectiveness rise in her chest, the kind she reserved only for those who had no one else.
anwhile, Ryan was completely unaware of the storm brewing in her.
He stared at Spencer with a raised brow, trying to make sense of the quiet, submissive act.
Was this the sa Spencer who commanded boardrooms and coldly ignored him at ho?
Who punished him for wearing the wrong tie at a family dinner?
It didn’t matter.
Ryan saw an opportunity. This was his chance to humiliate Spencer and finally get his revenge.
With a smug smile, Ryan sauntered forward.
"Yo, big brother," he drawled. "How about handing over the black card Father gave you? You won’t be needing it for long."
Spencer flinched slightly—on purpose.
Aurora’s eyes flashed.
"I can’t," Spencer mumbled. "If I give it to you, I won’t have any pocket money left..."
Ryan laughed loudly, genuinely amused.
"Pocket money?" he echoed.
’That card’s worth more than most people’s lives, and you’re calling it pocket money? This stupidly rich Spencer makes jealous!’
Still, he kept his tone light.
"Co on. Be a good boy. Give it to . Or... do you want to beat it out of you?"
Spencer flinched again, this ti stepping slightly behind Aurora.
Aurora, eyes cold, stepped forward protectively, shielding Spencer with her body.
"What more do you want?" she asked Ryan, her tone polite but with a deadly edge beneath it.
Ryan’s gaze shifted to her face—and stopped.
For a mont, he was stunned.
She was... gorgeous.
The type of woman you see once and never forget.
He smirked. "How about giving your number instead?" he said smoothly.
"You’re wasting your ti with Spencer. Co with . I’ll take care of you better."
Aurora’s lips curled into a smile, but it was as cold as ice.
"You still haven’t answered my question," she said, tilting her head. "What exactly do you want?"
Ryan thought she was testing him. Trying to gauge his power.
He chuckled. "Fine. You want the truth?" He gestured to Spencer.
"Once I have that black card, I’ll take over the company officially. Father’s been leaning toward it anyway. And if I’m feeling nice, maybe I’ll let Spencer live on the street instead of a ditch."
The woman on his arm giggled and clung to him tighter.
"That’s so bold, Ryan. You’re amazing," she cooed.
Then she turned to Aurora and added sweetly,
"It’s your lucky day. You’ve got a golden opportunity. You really should grab it while you can."
Aurora’s expression didn’t change. "Thanks," she said, "but I’ll have to decline."
Ryan’s face darkened.
"I’d suggest you reconsider," he said, a warning creeping into his voice.
"You don’t know who you’re ssing with. The consequences won’t be good."
He turned toward the saleswoman, who was watching nervously from the side.
"If this girl dares to reject ," he said loudly, "kick her out of the store."
The saleswoman flinched, unsure.
Aurora’s expression remained calm, but Spencer could see the way her jaw tightened.
She stepped closer to Ryan, her posture loose but commanding.
"You think you can buy people with threats and money?" she asked quietly. "Is that what your charm boils down to?"
Ryan blinked. "What are you—"
"You think I’d leave soone I care about just because you waved a few zeroes in my face?" she said, her voice icy. "That’s pathetic."
She turned to the saleswoman. "If anyone’s getting kicked out of here today, it’s not ."
The saleswoman glanced nervously at Spencer, who stood there silently, still playing the role of the ek victim.
But his eyes... were gleaming with pride.
Aurora wasn’t just defending him—she was choosing him.
And Ryan... well, Ryan just made a powerful enemy.
Aurora smiled once more at Ryan, this ti without warmth. "Next ti, try impressing soone without using Daddy’s money."
Ryan’s expression twisted with fury.
"Kick her out."
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