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.

liked Genevieve's family, and now that it was confirmed Ivy wasn't Magnus's child, he

through Ivy's act. There was guilt in her eyes, but Aurora didn't say anything. Ivy's affairs were

eaten?

been counting on this. She was indeed hungry after causing a scene at Paul's house earlier, where she hadn't had the chance to

She'd spent

asked, trying to blend in. There was still one unused

"Go ahead," Asher said.

realized she 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 scholars. She lost within a few moves

to her that she didn't belong in their world. Aurora, the true daughter of the Montgomery family, was every bit their equal. Her skills, her strategies-she was on par with the men

won," Aurora said with a

set you up for it!" Oswaldo huffed. "That's it,

up and get ready for dinner," the butler said cheerfully, pleased

dishes on her plate, the other pouring her soup. They were so accustomed to caring for her that it seemed

Aurora knew Asher had feelings for her, yet she still allowed him to

spoke, trying to sound casual. "I 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

you saying?" Aurora replied with a light laugh. "The company is doing just fine under your leadership. You're still so young-you've got at least another decade or two to run it.

granddaughter!" Oswaldo interjected proudly. "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 shares to you. You're now the largest shareholder of Montgomery

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

full of familial warmth, but every word felt like a dagger to Ivy. Shares. The Montgomery family business. These were the things she had

like a goddess while Ivy was reduced

wedding with Julian the other day. You two should start

Aurora said hesitantly, "Julian has a big contract in Europe from February to April, and I'll be busy too. Let's wait until

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