Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Aurora spotted Julian as well. Beside him stood Mira and two others, one of whom looked like an assistant. Before Julian could greet them, the two strangers noticed Gore and approached him warmly.

"Hello," they said.

"Hi," Gore replied.

"Your girlfriend is so beautiful," one of the foreigners complimented.

The moment Julian heard the word "girlfriend," his expression darkened further. "Sorry, she is my girl!" he said coldly.

Everyone was a bit confused. Both sides seemed to know each other, and the woman standing next to Gore turned out to be Julian's girlfriend? The world truly was full of surprises.

The atmosphere grew awkward for a moment, but Aurora remained calm and collected. She stepped forward to greet them without the slightest sign of discomfort. "Since we're all friends, why don't we have lunch together?" Mira suggested.

The group agreed, except for Gore, who was visibly displeased. He had taken an early flight to get there, not to watch Aurora and Julian flaunt their affection.

Julian and Gore had crossed paths before, but neither had expected to meet again under these circumstances.

Julian immediately placed his arm around Aurora's waist, positioning himself between her and Gore. He had thought keeping her close in Clothville would ensure her safety, but now, the woman who had been nestled in his embrace that morning was suddenly standing beside another man.

Julian wasn't sure if he had underestimated Aurora's charm or overestimated his own capabilities. Either way, it tired him. Aurora's knack for attracting attention left him helpless.

Though he reminded himself that Aurora and Gore were likely just work associates- given her position as a DO-he couldn't suppress his displeasure.

Julian instinctively chose the seat to Aurora's left, while

don't mind me sitting here?" Gore said after

him to move with others around, so he

what I said earlier-your man isn't generous at all," Gore murmured

Julian's temper rising. Gore enjoyed stirring the pot-he had done it

gently tug on his

stayed

the conversation easily. Julian, though equally knowledgeable, was naturally reserved and rarely wasted words.

no interest in engaging the group. Instead, he focused entirely on her, serving her

ladled a bowl for Aurora and set it aside to cool before offering it to her. He also picked out

he could

accustomed to his care. Now, it felt natural to her, as this was simply how they interacted. It wasn't an act,

of envy. This iron-fisted CEO, feared by his rivals, was now so gentle and attentive to

man, prided himself on being charming and gentlemanly. He

behavior toward Aurora, Gore finally understood why she had chosen Julian and rejected

affections were fleeting-he enjoyed the chase but

been one of the few women Gore couldn't win over, and now he understood why. She was fiercely independent, and even after

true to herself, and it

gave her the freedom to spread her wings, a lesson Gore only understood now, at

between Aurora and Julian, one that set them apart from the rest. They seemed to inhabit a world of their own, leaving others

meal, occasionally offering a dish to