Chapter 95
At first glance. Aurora had noticed it immediately.
Annie’s cautious demeanor now was precisely how Aurora had been when she was brought back to live with the Crowford family in her past life. Back then, everything she did was tentative. She wouldn’t make a move unless she read the room and got permission first,
Had it not been for Jaxon dragging her into countless social engagements after she became an adult, forcing her to confront the scorn and challenges thrown her way, she might never have become the person she was today.
Aurora had to admit that Daxon’s decision to bring Annie to her was good. In her past life, she had been completely clueless, suffering in high society and enduring endless pain. But she could serve as Annie’s guide in this life, helping her avoid the same fate.
Perhaps this was her way of repaying the kindness of that last moment in her previous life when Daxon had covered her
with his coat.
“I appreciate all your help these days.” Daxon said, standing at a distance that was neither too close nor too far. It was clear he knew his presence could be overwhelming to most people. “Pick whatever you like. I will pay.”
Beneath his cold exterior, Aurora sensed the gentleness in his tone, which made her chuckle. Her brow related as she suddenly recalled their last encounter. “Mr. Harrison, do you say this to every girl?”
Aurora remembered how he had said something similar when they brought Annie into the store earlier. And now, he was repeating it again. Coupled with how he acted after the Lloyd family’s anniversary celebration, she couldn’t help but wonder.
Her seemingly out–of–the–blue remark stunned Daxon, but he quickly understood what she meant. “I’ve only ever said that to you and Annie.”
Daxon wasn’t interested in women and had never had anyone by his side. He had seen plenty of eager suitors trying to get close, but Harry always chased them off before they even had the chance.
Aurora met his deep, unreadable eyes at his words, but she was the first to look away, feeling inexplicably uneasy.
“Mereida’s weather, you’ve seen it for yourself, Daxon. Where are you planning to go next?” Aurora asked, smoothly changing the subject. Their relationship wasn’t close enough yet to discuss anything too personal.
Standing where he was, Daxon casually rubbed his thumb against his finger, his usual aristocratic grace making it impossible to read his emotions. He followed Aurora’s words and responded “Mereida is already this hot at the end of June. I honestly didn’t expect it.”
The entire city was blanketed under the blazing sun, and aside from air–conditioned rooms, everywhere felt like an oven. The amusement park Daxon had planned to visit might now be out of the question. They’d be shedding skin by the end of a full day in this heat.
Aurora picked up on the subtle shift in Daxon’s tone and laughed softly. She said inwardly, Who would’ve thought that even the great Mr. Harrison could miscalculate? Feeling mischievous she decided to tease him a bit.
“You think this is bad? The worst heat hasn’t even arrived yet. Wait until the dog days of summer hit. It’ll be 104 F, and the ground will get so hot that if you step outside in flip–flops, they might just melt.”
Aurora was brimming with charm and liveliness, earnestly describing the scorching power of Mereida’s summer. The bright Tights of the mall intertwined with the sparkle in her eyes, making her seem radiant and dazzling.
Her skin was flawless, her cheeks had a rosy flush, and her lively eyes had a playful glint. Dressed in a stmple white T–shirt, she exuded an effortless beauty, like a summer flower, fresh with dew and ready to bloom.
1/3
Wed, Dec
Chapter 95
Suddenly, Daxon thought that Mereida’s summer had arrived ajust the right moment.
68%
“When the temperature hits 104°F, schools even close for heat breaks. No one dares to step outside, Aurora continued with a grin.
Daxon’s eyes held a hint of amusement as he nodded in agreement. “It truly lives up to its reputation as the number one furnace of the country.”
Thinking she had successfully frightened him, Aurora smiled in satisfaction and sat down on a bench. “Don’t worry. Mereida still has plenty of fun things to do. I promise you won’t regret this trip.”
“Alright,” Daxon replied.
Meanwhile, Harry looked on in astonishment, his mind racing with thoughts. “Well, well, well. This Aurora is something else. She is so at ease around Mr. Harrison. No wonder she’s the one who could get Mr. Whitaker to change his mind
Harry began to understand why Daxon had brought Annie to Aurora instead of any of Annie’s same–age young ladies from Jydratica. Those girls, raised in luxury, wouldn’t have cared about Annie’s discomfort. They might even have mocked her for being timid and out of place..
Annie had just returned to the Harrison family and was still adjusting. Being around the wrong people would only have heightened her anxiety.
On the other hand, Aurora had grown up in the countryside and had only been brought back to the Crawford family recently. Her situation mirrored Annie’s, and it was through Aurora’s connections that they had found Annie. Perhaps the two girls would have plenty to talk about.
Harry touched his chin, watching as Aurora and Daxon chatted. He thought, In all the years I’ve followed Mr. Harrison, Aurora is the only person who isn’t afraid of him. When Mr. Harrison isn’t smiling, even I feel a bit uneasy at times, let alone cracking jokes with him.
Lost in thought, Harry replayed the encounters he’d witnessed between Aurora and Daxon, still unable to fathom why Aurora wasn’t intimidated by him. It was truly puzzling.
While Harry pondered, Aurora picked out several more outfits for Annie and led them toward the next store.
“What are you thinking about?” Daxon had walked a few steps before realizing that the sound of footsteps behind him had! stopped. When he turned around, he saw Harry standing there, eyes unfocused and a faint, odd smile tugging at his lips as lost in thought.
Harry jumped at Daxon’s voice and snapped back to reality. He quickly grabbed the bags from Daxon’s hands and obediently said, “Nothing at all.” He thought, “If Mr. Harrison found out I was letting my mind wander like that, he’d probably cut my TV time. Watching cheesy romance dramas is my only guilty pleasure, and I’m not about to let anyone take that away!
By evening rolled around, the ground was still radiating heat, and the sky was awash in hues of crimson, signaling yet another sunny day ahead.
Aurora shut the car door behind her and stepped into Crawford Manor with bags in hand. Just past the main gates lay the garden, but the moment she entered, she froze, her gaze locking onto a child
He was about five or six years old, sitting in a miniature electric toy car, wildly racing it around the garden. He gleefully steered straight into the flower beds, his face lighting up as the delicate plants were crushed beneath the wheels.
Behind him, a house servant followed with a grim expression, clearly stressed about the damage. The garden, visible through the large iron gates, boasted vibrant, blooming flowers, A signature of Crawford Manor’s prestige.
14:37 Wed, Dec 25 GG.
Chapter 95
The scion was indeed having fun, but the poor servant would have to restore each trampled plant painstakingly later.
“Mr. Crawford, be careful. You might hurt yourself,” the servant called out anxiously.
Aurora’s smile vanished the moment she recognized the child. A dark cloud seemed to settle over her features. “Griffin Crawford, she thought bitterly. ‘He’s actually back. If Griffin is here, does that mean he has returned, too?”
In her previous life, Griffin hadn’t come home this early. He’d stayed with Jaxon’s parents for months and didn’t return until it was almost time for him to start first grade.
Griffin was Jaxon’s precious golden son. No one would dare let him suffer even the slightest discomfort.
Aurora’s gaze darkened as she stood at the entrance, watching coldly while Griffin gleefully drove his little car over the flowerbeds. His high–pitched laughter echoed in the air, sharp and grating to her ears. She thought, ‘A little brat like this thinks he’s fit for the school the Harrisons run to train the future heirs?”
