Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Chapter 497: A Mysterious Origin

"It's nothing, I'm just a little curious. I'm supposed to discuss a contract with R Enterprise today, but I don't know much about the company," Aurora said casually, making up an excuse.

Denis Vukic had just finished swallowing his toast and taken a sip of hot milk. He wiped the crumbs from the corner of his mouth and said, "Speaking of R Enterprise, it's tied to a mysterious family."

"How mysterious?" Aurora asked eagerly.

"Well, I don't know much, and I can't guarantee the accuracy of what I do know, but I'll share it with you."

"Go ahead," Aurora replied, sitting attentively, ready to listen.

Denis Vukic began, "Over a hundred years ago, Clothville was in chaos, a time of war and turmoil. Society was in complete disarray.

During that period, some well-off families migrated to New York to start anew. The R family was one of them. They're considered mysterious for several reasons.

First, think about the norms of that era. Back then, weren't most families patriarchal? Women had to follow strict rules and were expected to submit to men."

Aurora nodded. She hadn't expected Denis Vukic to start recounting history, but she had read about the chaotic times in Clothville in history books.

Back then, the country was in turmoil. Years of war had crushed the spirits of both commoners and officials. Other nations had later invaded as well. Aurora had only studied this history to pass exams, yet hearing Denis talk about it now gave her a strange sense of connection. It felt as though the events were no longer just words in a textbook but something closer, more real.

"Exactly. Women had little status in the family, no voting rights, and had to tolerate their husbands taking multiple wives. You've probably seen this depicted in period dramas," Denis continued.

"But imagine this-within that societal backdrop, there was a family that defied the norm. They revered women above all.

The family's major decisions were all controlled by women. Not only were the heads of the family always women, but every child born to them was a girl without exception."

detail surprised Aurora. She shook her head. "I've never heard of such a family. Could a family like that really exist

were an ancient family. If you trace their origins, it would

to survive for so long. I don't know if it's because they only

woman. Men marry into the family. Even a hundred years later,

the family head, Aurora's heart skipped

what's the second mysterious thing about them?" she asked, trying to

heard, though I haven't verified it, is that the women in their family are cursed.

mean?" Aurora asked, her voice

ago, the great- grandmother

to be sixty. And her mother lived to be fifty.

chest tighten. "Are you saying each generation's lifespan is

In theory, with modern medical advancements, people are living longer than ever. But why is it that their family's

generation losing ten years. If this pattern holds, the current head

trembled, and the glass of hot milk she was holding slipped from her

attention. Aurora sat frozen, her face pale. If she remembered correctly, her mother was thirty-nine

mess. Denis handed Aurora a napkin to wipe off the milk that

face. Aurora didn't respond. He pinched her arm, snapping

fear and

look

died," Aurora stammered, wishing desperately that this was all just a

illness. Strangely, no one could ever determine what the illness was. They just... passed," Denis said calmly. "Does this R family have

at all," Aurora said quickly. "Tell me everything else you

Denis's arm tightly, like a drowning