Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Aurora and Julian spent a night at the Alvarez family's residence before returning to Montgomery Manor. Oswaldo and Asher had hit it off surprisingly well.

Now, Oswaldo, Asher, Magnus, and Aurora were all sitting together, playing a game of Chinese checkers. Despite the simplicity of the game, their sharp intellects turned it into an intense, almost nerve-wracking battle.

Of course, Julian was deliberately losing. How could he bear to win against Aurora or the elders?

"Julian, you're holding back again. Don't think I didn't notice, even though you were sneakier this time," Aurora pouted.

"I wasn't!" Julian denied, though not very convincingly.

"You once said that men hate to lose, didn't you?"

"Well, you don't understand. Men hate losing to opponents, but you're not my opponent. You're my precious one."

"Enough! You're making my teeth ache!" Asher pretended to gag in mock disgust.

"Who's here?" Oswaldo, finding the group amusing, turned his head toward the sound of the opening door.

"It's Miss Ivy," the butler replied, his face betraying some awkwardness. Everyone in the household knew about Ivy's situation by now.

This time, Ivy seemed to have learned her lesson. She came bearing food. "Grandpa, happy New Year," she greeted warmly.

It's hard to turn away someone offering smiles and good wishes-especially on New Year's. Surely, if she'd walked in asking for five million dollars again, no one would have entertained her plea.

food and go," Oswaldo said curtly. He had never liked Genevieve's family, and now that it was

her eyes, but Aurora didn't say anything. Ivy's affairs

eaten? If not, stay and eat before

bring himself to outright shoo her away. Ivy had been counting on this. She was indeed hungry after causing a scene at Paul's house

felt like her home. She'd spent so many summers

join?" Ivy asked, trying to blend in.

"Go ahead," Asher said.

wasn't on their level. The others played with the precision of chess masters, their every move calculated. She, on the other hand, was like a kindergarten student trying to match wits with PhD

belong in their world. Aurora, the true daughter of the

said with

Julian set you up for it!" Oswaldo huffed. "That's it, I'm done

dinner," the butler

turns serving Aurora food, one placing dishes on her plate,

feelings for her, yet she still allowed him to stay at

growing so fast now. I was hoping you'd come back

is doing just fine under your leadership. You're still so young-you've got at least another decade or two to run it.

to worry about the company, Aurora. I've already transferred all my shares to you. You're now the largest shareholder of Montgomery Group. You can come back whenever

without relying on the Montgomery family at all. You wouldn't believe how impressed my old friends are.

full of familial warmth, but every word felt like a dagger to Ivy. Shares. The Montgomery family business.

treated Aurora like a goddess while Ivy was reduced to

Julian the other day. You two should start preparing for it later this

contract in Europe from February to April, and I'll be busy too.

firmly. "You'll get married on June 29th. Is April not enough time