Beneath the Polite Masks
After lazing around at ho for two days, Julian D’Aurelius still hadn’t received any news from Ammy D’Aurelius.
That alone was suspicious.
Ammy had been eager earlier, almost too eager. Soone like him wouldn’t stay quiet for long.
Julian leaned against the balcony railing of his room, golden eyes watching the quiet courtyard below.
Strange...
But during those two days, sothing else had occupied his attention.
Lina Ashford.
The so-called maid.
He had called her to his room many tis.
Sotis under the excuse of cleaning.
Sotis to bring tea.
Sotis to "assist" him during training.
The first day, she stood beside him quietly while he practiced his movents.
Julian wiped sweat from his forehead and casually tossed her a towel.
"Co here."
Lina walked over.
"Wipe it," he said lazily.
She didn’t hesitate. Her cool fingers gently wiped the sweat from his temple.
Julian studied her expression closely.
Still calm.
Still patient.
Not even a flicker of annoyance.
Later that sa day—
Julian stretched lazily on the couch and said,
"My shoulders are stiff again."
Lina stepped behind him.
Her fingers pressed into his shoulders with precise strength.
Julian exhaled slowly.
Not bad.
Actually... extrely professional.
On the second day, he grew even bolder.
Julian lay on the sofa and looked at her thoughtfully.
"Co here."
"Yes, Young Master Julian."
"Sit."
She sat beside him.
Then Julian casually rested his head on her thigh.
Her body stiffened for the briefest mont.
But she didn’t move.
Her soft thighs were warm and steady beneath his head.
Julian closed his eyes comfortably.
This was what people called a knee pillow.
Soft.
Fragrant.
And strangely relaxing.
He sighed quietly.
"Not bad."
Lina looked down at him silently.
Inside her mind—
She had already imagined stabbing him three tis.
But outwardly, she remained perfectly composed.
"What puzzles ," Julian thought silently, "is how patient this woman is."
In the original plot, Lina Ashford had never been this tolerant.
Dragon King stories always had one strange rule.
The Obsidian King’s won couldn’t be touched by other n.
This wasn’t that kind of story.
Which ant—
"She must be waiting for an opportunity."
Julian narrowed his eyes slightly.
Maybe...
He should push a little further.
He glanced at her.
A mischievous thought flashed through his mind.
Maybe I should have her help with a bath next ti.
But then he sighed quietly.
Better not rush it.
If he pushed too hard, she might explode.
And he still needed her around.
anwhile—
Two full days had passed.
Still no ssage from Ammy.
Julian finally frowned.
If Ammy didn’t move soon, this whole ga would beco boring.
And he couldn’t stay ho forever.
Because today—
Was the annual Valemont Chamber of Comrce eting.
Every major company in Valemont would attend.
Julian had to represent the D’Aurelius Group.
Earlier that morning, Mike Valquin had sent him a ssage through Hello ssenger.
Their family planned to publicly suppress the Bear Group during the eting.
The D’Aurelius family and the De Dominicis household had already ford an alliance.
Together, the three households would pressure the Bear Group from every direction.
Despite its massive 700-billion Euro market value, the Bear Group was struggling.
The combined power of three dominant households was overwhelming.
Several sectors of their business had already taken heavy losses.
Their stock had dropped for three consecutive days.
Julian changed into a tailored suit.
When he reached the garage—
He saw his father, Gary D’Aurelius, already sitting inside the black G-Wagon.
The engine was running.
Julian quickly opened the door and slid into the passenger seat with a grin.
"Dad, why didn’t you call ?"
Gary didn’t even look at him.
"How was I supposed to know you hadn’t left yet?"
His tone carried clear irritation.
Seeing Julian still annoyed him.
Especially after that ridiculous belt incident.
Gary rembered it vividly.
The brat had been whipped and then asked if he hadn’t eaten enough.
Just thinking about it gave him a headache.
Julian scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Dad still thinking about that day?"
He chuckled sheepishly.
"I had a bit too much strong wine last ti. Got carried away."
He leaned back in the seat.
"Don’t hold it against , old man."
Gary snorted.
He turned his head toward the window, ignoring him completely.
The car soon drove toward the venue.
Normally the annual eting was held at Lunar Citadel.
But after a recent major criminal investigation, the hotel had been sealed by authorities.
So the eting had been relocated to another luxury hotel.
Still six-star.
Just slightly less prestigious.
When their car arrived—
The entrance was already crowded.
Luxury vehicles lined the driveway.
Elites from every major company in Valemont gathered outside.
The mont Gary stepped out of the car—
People imdiately ca forward to greet him.
"Mr. D’Aurelius!"
"Long ti no see!"
Gary smiled politely and shook hands with several businessn.
Although he rarely interfered with company operations, his personal connections were legendary.
People respected him.
So elegant socialites even approached him warmly.
Two of them hugged him lightly.
Gary smiled calmly while exchanging polite greetings.
Then he quickly shot Julian a warning look.
Don’t tell your mother.
Julian simply chuckled.
He looked away.
There was nothing to report.
Suddenly—
"Hey, big bro, you’re here."
Mike Valquin appeared from the crowd.
He was surrounded by several stylish young won.
They were daughters of influential Valemont households.
Not as powerful as the D’Aurelius household.
But still part of the elite circle.
The girls smiled politely.
"Hello, Young Master Julian."
Julian nodded casually.
Mike quickly waved them away.
"I have so business to discuss with my brother."
"I’ll catch up with you later."
The girls nodded and left.
Mike grabbed Julian’s arm and pulled him aside.
"Co."
"I want you to et soone."
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"Who?"
"Why so mysterious?"
Mike only smiled.
"You’ll see."
A few minutes later—
They arrived at a quiet suite inside the hotel.
Mike opened the door.
Julian stepped inside.
The room was calm.
Sunlight poured through the large windows.
And beside the window—
A beautiful woman sat quietly painting.
Long blonde hair flowed down her back.
Her bright blue eyes were focused on the canvas.
Her posture elegant.
Her figure graceful and refined.
Julian recognized her imdiately.
Gwen Valquin.
Mike smiled.
"Sis."
"I brought him."
Then he turned around.
Without another word—
He walked out.
The door closed behind him.
Leaving Julian alone with Gwen.
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