Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Previously, Mira's feelings for Julian were already well-known, but she had never been so frank about them. Although her straightforwardness might garner some favor compared to those who harbor feelings but hide them, Aurora wasn't buying it.

Aurora stirred her coffee again, her tone calm as she said, "Miss Mira, I believe you have feelings for Julian. But someone with your personality would surely prioritize interests over love. Men to you are merely accessories in life, not necessities. By declaring your intentions so openly, it almost feels like you're overcompensating." "What do you mean?" Mira fixed her gaze on the seemingly young girl opposite her. She realized Aurora's cunning ran far deeper than she had expected.

Aurora chuckled lightly. "Miss Mira, you should understand my meaning perfectly well."

"I don't understand!"

"Miss Mira, you're much smarter than me. If even I understand what's going on, how could you not? Fine, since you insist on playing dumb, I'll lay it out plainly.

You keep saying that you're acting in Julian's best interest, urging him to continue the partnership, even to the point of coming to me, his rival in love, to persuade him. You claim it's because you like him-on the surface, it sounds reasonable. But Julian dropped everything to come back to me, breaking off negotiations and violating one of the biggest taboos in the business world.

In our field, credibility is everything. Going back on your word is the ultimate sin. Of course, Julian's carefree exit was partly because no formal contract had been signed- only preliminary discussions had taken place. But someone as proud as you must loathe such behavior. Julian's actions were a direct affront to your principles.

So even if you had some affection for him, there's no way you'd come all the way to Clothville to find him, let alone seek me out. There must be something far more important to you-something so significant that you'd put aside your pride to ask me

for help.

like you. When Julian abandoned such a

too smart to waste time on something futile-time is money, after all. Even if you were reluctant, you would've let him go. As I said earlier,

the 'Queen of Business.' But you didn't cancel it. Instead, you came to me with

you to do this? There's only one explanation: the key figure in this collaboration only trusts Julian.

beginning of something even bigger. How could you not be tempted? When Julian walked away, you panicked. Without him, the deal collapses. Where

bring Julian back at any cost-even if it meant

and unrelenting analysis left Mira speechless. The young girl she had once dismissed had seen through everything, even dissecting her emotions with

absolutely right. Now I finally

you! "Of course, I'm not without

access to the Clothville market in exchange, but there are plenty of powerful business leaders here. Why choose someone as low-profile

from the start?" Mira was surprised the

agreeing to collaborate with you was beneficial to him, too. Since it was a win-win situation, I saw no reason to

me. What I can't tolerate,

Julian doesn't love me for

that completely overpowered Mira. When she was with Julian, they cherished their time together. They didn't waste it on petty schemes or

acted high and mighty, pretending to do them a favor, all while scheming for her own gain. To Mira, Julian was a pawn, and Aurora a stepping stone. But Aurora had no interest