Chapter 83
Oblivious to Aurora’s insight, Jaxon thought he was being subtle He shifted the conversation to Alison. “That’s good to hear. I was worried someone might seek revenge. By the way, did those girls who bullied you last week ever apologize!
“If they haven’t apologized, just tell Daddy. I’ll make sure justices served, he said, putting on a righteous act.
Aurora lowered her gaze, her bangs falling forward to hide her expression. “They did apologize,” she said quietly.
Jaxon, finally revealing his true intentions, continued, “Mr. Andrews called me today. He said you sent them a summons. Since they’ve apologized, why don’t you drop the lawsuit? We’re all from Mercida. We’ve scared them enough to show we’re not to be messed with. Taking this to court will just make things wkward. We’ll keep running into each other around town.
Seeing Aurora’s silence as a sign of agreement, Jaxon pressed on trying to appeal to both her reason and emotions. “I know you’ve been wronged, but with your SAT coming up, dropping the case will let you focus on studying. If you do well on the exams. I’ll buy you a laptop early- the best one!“
Aurora’s eyes turned cold, and she laughed bitterly to herself, ‘How could you even suggest that? Buying me a laptop, but only if I get good grades?”
Maura’s desktop in her room was already top–of–the–line. Aurora’d been back for a while now, and it hadn’t crossed his mind to get her any new furniture.
“How much did the Andrews family pay you?” Aurora asked suddenly.
Jaxon, caught off guard while mentally calculating his profits from the Andrews deal, blurted out, “They gave me an extra five percent when we signed the contract. It’s probably a few million dollars in profit.”
Faced with Aurora’s knowing smirk, he belatedly realized his mistake. He put his hand to his forehead, deeply regretting his careless words. ‘How did I end up spilling that information?”
The Andrews had given him millions of dollars in profit, and here he was, offering to buy Aurora a laptop. The disparity in these amounts was staggering.
Jaxon’s face flushed as he rubbed his hands on his thighs. After clearing his throat, he pressed on, trying to save face. “Aurora, honey, you’re still young. Having too much money might make you a target for scammers. Everything I’ve built is for you anyway. What’s mine is yours, right?
“How about this? I’ll give you another 70 thousand dollars. You can travel during summer break and then start college with a smile on your face!”
“But Dad,” Aurora replied calmly, turning to face Jaxon with a hint of mockery in her eyes, “Alison still hasn’t apologized to
The
Jaxon gave her a light pat, brushing off her concerns. “Come on, kiddo, Why so stubborn? Those online posts and accounts have all been taken down. And didn’t you rough up that Andrews girl the day it happened? So what if a few words were said. about you? Why dwell on it?”
Aurora lowered her gaze, feeling a sudden wave of frustration: A few words?‘ she thought. ‘Is that all he thinks this is? Being surrounded, accused, insulted, and having trash thrown at you – how is that not a big deal? It’s a severe blow to one’s dignity. How can you compare a few million dollars to my reputation? They’re not even in the same league.
A person’s reputation was everything. The posts and accounts were deleted, but Aurora was certain someone out there had saved those photos.
The people with those saved photos were like hidden vipers, ready to strike at any moment. When they did, rumors about her escort work would spread like wildfire again.
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If enough people started talking, the public’s perception of her would inevitably shift.
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That way, Aurora could never hope to build meaningful relationships or friendships with this hanging over her head.
She knew she had to nip these vicious rumors in the bud, Letting them fester would only open the door for someone like Alison to spread more lies about her down the line. The thought of sitting back and stewing in helpless anger wasn’t an option.
Some things were her bottom line, and that line couldn’t be crossed.
If Aurora stepped back once, she might as well retreat all the way If she gave in now, she’d end up just as helpless as in her past life. This second chance of life would be pointless.
“I won’t drop the charges, Aurora said firmly.
Jason’s expression froze. Seeing her unyielding face, he felt a surge of shock and anger. He realized he’d been talking to himself this whole time. Aurora hadn’t taken in a word.
“When I tell you to drop it, you drop it!” Jaxon slapped his thigh and stood up. His eyes blazed with fury, like a lion about to pounce. Gone was his gentle tone. He pointed at Aurora’s face, delivering his ultimatum.
“How many messes you’ve made since you came back?” Jaxon roared. “Who cleaned them up? Me! I’ve already promised Mr. Andrews you’d drop this case. If you don’t, I’ll cut off your bank cards. Let’s see how you like roughing it on the streets!”
After saying that, he turned and shouted to Emma in the kitchen “Emma, don’t bother with dinner for her tonight, She needs to cool off and get her head straight!”
Jaxon’s anger kept building. He grabbed a glass from the table and smashed it against the floor. The shattered pieces glinted coldly under the crystal chandelier.
Aurora let out a derisive laugh but said nothing, heading straight to her room to pack.
This suited her just fine. She had no desire to stick around Crawford Manor and endure this treatment. She might as well seize this opportunity to move out and never look back.
Jaxon was in the middle of his meal at the dining table when he saw Aurora coming downstairs with a suitcase. His face. which had just begun to relax, immediately darkened.
He’d thought Aurora was crying in her room. He never expected her to actually go through with it.
Emma watched the two stubborn individuals, nervously fidgeting with her apron. “Oh, Ms. Crawford, it’s already dark out. Where are you going?”
This was turning out to be a mess.
Just moments ago, Emma thought Jaxon and Aurora were laughing together on the couch. But somehow, things turned sour so quickly. Now, Aurora was packing her things, ready to leave.
Jaxon, recalling the many times Aurora had gotten the better of him, felt his patience snap: He’d already swallowed his pride. yet she still acted high and mighty.
He couldn’t take it anymore. Turning to Emma, he spat, “Let her go! If she wants to leave, fine! If you’ve got any pride, don’t come back! And don’t use our driver either. He works for the Crawfords!”
Aurora stood at the front door, his eyes fixed on Jaxon. Her gaze was as sharp as frost, deep as a winter abyss, making him squirm uncomfortably.
“What are you looking at? You ungrateful child!” Jaxon growled. “Are you trying to be the death of me? Didn’t you say you wanted to leave? Then get out! Now!”
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Aurora’s lips twitcheil. She wanted to say that Crawford Manor was bought by her mother, that it was her mother’s premarital property, and that Jaxon should be the one to leave.
In the end, she said nothing. She just grabbed her suitcase and walked into the thick night.
It didn’t matter. She’d be eighteen in two months. Then, she could legally reclaim Crawford Manor.
What belonged to her, she’d rather throw away than give to someone who deliberately tried to harm her.
Outside, the night air was cool. Aurora rubbed her arms, gazing up at the stars and the distant, undulating silhouette of mountains. The road was deserted not a soul or car in sight.
She started pondering how she was supposed to get down the mountain.
