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.

can go now."

already set her sights on a particular red gemstone. The

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

signed a special

commission from sales. This arrangement meant she didn't have to worry about deadlines or clients requesting changes to her designs.

herself. But so far, every single piece she had created had been

different. This piece wasn't for sale. It was a special gift for Candy, in exchange for her help. The search for materials had

for her services, Aurora couldn't bring herself to cut corners. Candy had turned down all monetary compensation to act as her brand ambassador and had even flown to Clothville to help her. Aurora would never treat her gift with anything less than the

revising the initial draft multiple times, everything was

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

shutting down her computer, Aurora began preparing

a thick carpet. Although she no longer feared it, visitors to her office often felt uneasy, so she had

a sense of security was to people.

given her enough security in their relationship. Otherwise, the thought of him

accompany her. The office had recently seen a change in personnel. Gemma had left, and Willow

to learn, and straightforward-qualities that were the opposite of Gemma's manipulative and lazy behavior. Heather had transferred

watched them with admiration. She was determined to work

where the adventure continues. Join us for

Willow, Aurora was a benefactor, someone who had given her a chance. Secretly, she had already decided to devote her life to Aurora, though Aurora herself remained unaware that she had unwittingly gained