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.

He had never liked Genevieve's family, and now that

act. There was guilt in her eyes, but

noticing Ivy's disheveled appearance, asked, "Have you eaten?

the first day of the New Year, after all. He couldn't 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 and

join?" Ivy asked, trying to

"Go ahead," Asher said.

others played with the precision of chess masters, their every move calculated. She, on the other hand, was like a kindergarten student

their world. Aurora, the true daughter of the Montgomery family, was every bit

I won," Aurora said with

it!" Oswaldo huffed.

butler said cheerfully, pleased that Oswaldo was in such a

her plate, the other pouring her soup.

had feelings for her, yet she still allowed him to stay at Montgomery Manor. How could Magnus and the others tolerate

well. You're growing so fast now.

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

"Independent and self- reliant, just like I was back in the day. You don't need to worry about the company, Aurora. I've already transferred all my

believe how impressed my old friends

Shares. The Montgomery family business. These were the things she had once coveted the

goddess while Ivy was

the other

April, and I'll be busy too. Let's wait until after April to talk about

29th," Oswaldo declared firmly. "You'll get married on June 29th. Is April