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 confirmed Ivy wasn't Magnus's child,

her eyes, but Aurora didn't say anything. Ivy's affairs were no longer

asked, "Have you eaten? If not, stay and eat before

had been counting on this. She was indeed hungry after causing a scene at

her, this still felt like her home. She'd

playing checkers? Mind if I join?" Ivy asked, trying to blend in. There was still one unused color on the

"Go ahead," Asher said.

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

their world. Aurora, the true daughter of the Montgomery family, was every bit their equal. Her skills, her strategies-she was

I won," Aurora said with

set you up for it!" Oswaldo

timing. Everyone, wash up and get ready for dinner," the butler

dining table, Asher and Julian took turns serving Aurora food, one placing dishes on her plate, the other pouring

for her, yet she still allowed him to stay at Montgomery Manor. How could Magnus and

heard your new company is doing really well. You're growing so fast now. I was hoping you'd come back and help out at home, but it seems you've outgrown the family

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

back in the day. You don't need to worry about the company, Aurora. I've already transferred all my shares to you. You're now the largest shareholder of

your own business without relying on the Montgomery family at all. You wouldn't believe how impressed my

word felt like a dagger to Ivy. Shares.

while Ivy was reduced to

Julian the other day. You two should start

to April, and I'll be busy too. Let's

get married on June