Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Aurora smiled as she placed her fingers on the silver petals and opened the box. What lay inside caught both women by surprise.

Inside were nine black roses, dark as the night. Julian had given Aurora flowers before, but they were always red roses-never black. The black and gray hues intertwined, exuding elegance. They lacked the sweetness of love but carried an air of mystery. "Black roses?" Heather remarked, stunned. She had never seen them before. After all, most couples opted for red roses when giving flowers.

At the center of the arrangement rested a gleaming gemstone. Aurora picked it up-a ruby.

"Miss Montgomery, isn't this the same ruby from last night's auction? The one you were bidding for? That man who kept outbidding you-he actually bought it and sent it to you? Do you know him?" Heather gasped, covering her mouth.

The roses themselves were remarkable, but that ruby-valued at $15 million-was casually nestled in the box.

Heather had seen such extravagant gifts only in novels or TV dramas, where the male lead would lavish the heroine with multi-million-dollar jewelry. She used to think it was pure fantasy. But now, seeing the delicate flower box, the mysterious black roses, and the dazzling ruby in Aurora's hand, Heather realized that such things did happen in real life.

"I don't know him. Who sent this?" Aurora asked, her composure returning quickly after the initial shock. A small, elegant card lay inside the box.

"It was delivered by a courier from a flower company. I signed for it," Heather explained. She had assumed the flowers were from Julian. She had no idea such a valuable gift was hidden inside.

The handwriting on the card was bold, the black ink stark against the white card.

"You are a devil, and you belong to me."

Aurora's expression remained unreadable as she closed the lid of the box and, without hesitation, threw the entire thing into the trash.

Black roses were notoriously difficult to cultivate, with only a ten-day harvesting window. The box and the flowers alone were worth a significant amount, not to mention the ruby.

the act of discarding such an expensive gift was

I'll find out which flower shop sent this and see who placed the order," Heather said, sensing Aurora's displeasure and blaming herself for not verifying the sender before signing

you that customer information is confidential," Aurora replied, her tone indifferent. She was

on the card and the lack of sender details when

her eyes lighting up. "The ruby was purchased at last night's auction. If we contact the auction

information confidential if the

we do? Maybe the sender admires you, Miss Montgomery. They saw how much you wanted the ruby and sent it to you as a gesture.

a $15 million gift wasn't something to

is my problem, and I'll handle it. In the future, if anyone sends anything, bring them

Miss Montgomery," Heather

I'm not feeling well today. Cancel the rest of my schedule and inspect the quality of the newly launched perfume on my behalf. Make sure everything is flawless. The perfume has received decent feedback so far, but we can't afford any missteps. Our skincare line will be

rested her head in her hand, giving

ensure everything goes perfectly. Miss Montgomery, if you're not feeling well, you should go home and rest. You don't need to push yourself so hard," Heather said, her tone

suggestion, and Heather had

who had been present at the

her phone screen. Aurora's phone was a private line, known only to those close

She answered. "Hello?"

like it?" A deep, magnetic voice came through the line, carrying a hint of the same

instantly recognizing the voice as belonging to the

question." The man

leaned back in her chair, realizing she wouldn't need to investigate