Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Everyone had returned to their busy routines. Aurora stretched lazily in her office chair as Heather brought her a cup of coffee.

"Miss Montgomery, you should take a break. You've been working overtime for several days now. Balancing both cosmetics and fashion at the same time is too exhausting," Heather said, her concern evident.

Julian's car hadn't appeared recently, and Aurora had buried herself in work. To others, it might have seemed as though they had quarreled. However, Heather noticed that Aurora occasionally answered phone calls with the same soft and gentle expression as always. She figured Julian must simply be away on a business trip.

"How's the task I asked you to handle?" Aurora asked as she temporarily shut down her computer and leaned back, closing her eyes to rest.

"Miss Montgomery, I've found it. The ruby you were asking about will appear at tonight's auction." Heather's tone was steady, and her demeanor had become more confident, shedding the timidness she once had.

"Good to know. Have you ever been to an auction?" Aurora asked lazily, without opening her eyes.

"No," Heather admitted. She was just an ordinary office worker who had graduated from college a year ago. Attending such high-profile events was far beyond her experience.

"Get ready. I'll take you to see the auction tonight," Aurora said as she rubbed her tired eyes. Staring at the computer screen for too long had made them ache.

"Yes, thank you, Miss Montgomery." Heather felt both nervous and excited. In the past, she would have been terrified of going to such a place, feeling like a chicken among cranes, completely out of place.

But now, she was determined to climb higher. As Aurora had once told her, only by reaching the mountaintop could she see the views that were previously out of reach.

go now."

was finalized, but the materials were critical. She had already set her sights on a particular red gemstone. The ruby had once belonged to a 19th-century British noble family, and the moment she

designs-from the materials to the accessories-had always been supplied by the company. She hadn't agreed to serve

had signed a special agreement

The company would only take a commission from sales. This arrangement meant she didn't have to worry about deadlines or clients requesting changes to her designs. Aurora worked solely as an artist, creating what she

incurred a loss, she would bear it herself. But so far, every single piece she had created had been snapped up immediately,

this time was different. This piece wasn't for sale. It was a special gift for Candy, in exchange for her help.

down all monetary compensation to act as her

the initial draft multiple times, everything

called Julian, intending to let him know she would be attending an auction that evening and might miss his call. But no one answered. She figured

them led extraordinary lives, destined to be much

sketches and shutting down

to her office had been covered with a thick carpet. Although she no longer feared

sense of security was to people.

her enough security in their relationship. Otherwise, the thought of him being alone with Mira might have left her heart writhing

in personnel. Gemma had left, and Willow had joined, creating a much

lazy behavior. Heather had transferred

left together, Willow watched them with admiration. She was determined to work harder so that

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Willow, Aurora was a benefactor, someone who had given her a chance. Secretly, she had already decided to