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.

go," Oswaldo said curtly. He had never liked Genevieve's family, and now that it was confirmed Ivy wasn't Magnus's child, he didn't

in her eyes, but Aurora didn't say

disheveled appearance, asked, "Have you eaten? If not, stay and

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

like her home. She'd spent so

Ivy asked, trying to blend in. There

"Go ahead," Asher said.

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 and could only watch as the others continued their intricate

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

I won," Aurora said with a triumphant

it!" Oswaldo huffed. "That's it, I'm done

for dinner," the butler said cheerfully, pleased that Oswaldo was in

on her plate, the other pouring her soup.

with jealousy. Aurora knew Asher had feelings for her, yet she still allowed him to stay at Montgomery Manor. How could Magnus and the others

to sound casual. "I heard your new company is doing really well. You're growing so fast

are 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

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 Group. You can come back whenever

at all. You wouldn't believe how impressed my old friends are. Even Joaquin, who used to always oppose me,

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

while Ivy

discussing your wedding with Julian the other day. You two should start preparing for it later this

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

firmly. "You'll get married on June