Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

When they arrived at the restaurant, Michael Bardem was already there. As soon as Aurora walked in, she felt a gaze land on her.

"And you are?" Michael Bardem asked, with a hint of surprise in his eyes, as though he already knew her.

Aurora noticed his strange expression. She was certain this was only the second time they had met. At the banquet that other night, she hadn't even greeted him. For him, this should be their first encounter.

"Hello, I'm DO. I heard from Ashy that someone wanted to meet me-is that you?" Aurora replied with a polite smile.

"Yes, it's me. Miss, you seem quite young. May I ask where you're currently living?"

Aurora found the question odd-who asks about someone's residence upon first meeting? But since it came from Michael Bardem, she didn't dare to disregard it.

"Clothville," she replied.

"Clothville? Does your mother happen to have the surname Walsh?" Michael Bardem asked suddenly. Aurora paused to think and finally understood why he was looking at

her that way.

It must be because she bore some resemblance to Victoria. That explained his reaction. If he was an old acquaintance of her mother, then things might be simpler.

Still, Aurora wasn't entirely sure how to handle the question. Victoria had always kept her identity a secret. Was Michael Bardem a good person or a bad one?

"Miss DO, does my question trouble you?" Michael Bardem asked, studying her carefully. She looked so much like someone he once knew.

at all. Yes, my mother's surname is Walsh. Do

She's remained unmarried all these years, and few people even know she has a child. But I happened to know, and meeting you today confirms

and her mother had some history. She recalled how Asher had mentioned that Michael Bardem had been quite taken with Mio Walsh at the banquet. Now it made sense-it must have been because

a friend of my mother's. What a

we all sit down and catch up? This is quite the serendipity," Asher chimed

Mio Walsh had talked at length. Asher had been worried that Michael Bardem might take an interest in

thought

DO, may I ask your full name?" Michael Bardem asked, giving

by Victoria's side for years. Aside from him, what kind of man could Victoria have liked? Michael

Aurora Montgomery. My father lives in

nel5s.com is where the adventure

experience-all for free. The next

the chance, I'd

very interested in my mother. What exactly is your relationship with

had to define it, I'd say I was one of your mother's suitors-though an unsuccessful one." He

No wonder Aurora was so likable-she clearly inherited it from

guess that makes you my mom's old friend. Can I call you Uncle Bardem?" Aurora

much like your mother! I never imagined that the designer I admire is also her daughter. What a small

Aurora asked, genuinely pleased. As a designer, having

I do. I've enjoyed many of your collections. When I first heard that DO was a young designer, I didn't believe it. With such skill, it didn't seem possible for someone so young. In this superficial world, your work stands out for its lack of pretension." Aurora smiled at

a phase of her life. From her early days in Clothville to her time in New York, she had endured poverty, hunger, and hardship before she built her own

waiting for you! She had transformed herself, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, breaking through barriers to see the first rays of sunlight. It

had garnered widespread attention. Jewelry, though inherently lifeless, could be imbued with a sense of