Aurora 9
Chapter 97
It was usually because the child was too spoiled when things like this happened.
With that thought, and seeing that Griffin didn’t even have a mark on him, the servants returned to their tasks, no longer paying him any mind.
Griffin could use a good lesson. They were tired of constantly cleaning up his messes. Even the most patient person would snap eventually.
Griffin’s ear–piercing wails gradually died down, his voice becoming hoarse, and his eyes were so swollen they were barely
open.
Aurora loosened her grip, smiling sweetly at him, “Griffin, do you realize what you did wrong?”
Griffin rubbed his eyes, fear creeping into his gaze as he looked at her, his face still wet with tears. He hung his head, refusing to speak.
Sensing his fear, Aurora was satisfied. She thought, ‘This is nothing. It’s not even a fraction of what you did to me in my past life. Now that I’m back, it’s time for you to experience all the “love” an elder sister can offer.
‘Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you grow up to be a well–rounded child. One who excels in virtue, intellect, and physical and artistic development.
Aurora asked, “Why aren’t you saying anything? Didn’t Dad teach you what to say when you’ve done something wrong?”
Griffin twisted his hands together in front of him, practically wringing them like a cloth, as tears continued to fall. Every so often, a sob escaped him, hiccupping between breaths.
Aurora stared at him. “Hmm?”
Griffin’s body trembled at her calm but chilling voice. Seeing no one was coming to help him, he finally muttered in a tiny voice, “S–sorry…”
Aurora didn’t let him off the hook just yet. “Sorry for what? Sorry to whom? What did for?”
do that you
you
need to apologize
Griffin’s cheeks were flushed red. Even though Aurora had already let go of him, his face still burned, and a sheen of tears blurred his vision as he stared at the ground. Tears fell from his eyes, soaking the brown soil beneath him, darkening the earth in large patches. He didn’t want to apologize. Despite being so young, he still had his pride.
“It seems you still don’t understand what
you
did wrong,” Aurora sighed, grabbing his ear once more.
At this moment, Jaxon and Thomas arrived, carrying bags in hand, only to witness the scene unfolding before them.
“Aurora, what are you doing?” Jaxon shouted, rushing over to scoop up his tearful son. He frantically checked Griffin for injuries, casting a murderous glare at Aurora. “Griffin is just a child. How could you hit him? Since when did you become so cold–hearted?”
Sensing that his backer had arrived, Griffin immediately shifted from quiet sobs to loud, dramatic wails, pointing at Aurora as he cried, “Dad, it hurts so much! That wretch hit me so hard!”
Jaxon’s heart ached at the sight, his anger boiling over. “Aurora, you’ve really outdone yourself this time. Picking on your little brother? You’re an adult. Where’s your sense of shame? What have I always taught you?”
Beside Jaxon, Thomas glanced at Aurora, his eyes lighting up with surprise and admiration. He thought, ‘So this is Aurora. Not bad at all. Definitely not a loss this time.
1/3
14:55 Wed, Dec 25 GGE
Chapter 97
+5
Aurora felt his gaze, and a wave of disgust surged within her. She hadn’t forgotten what Thomas had done to her in her past life. If he dared try anything again, she wouldn’t let him off so easily this time.
“Dad, what are you talking about?” Aurora asked calmly. “Griffin tried to run me over with his car. Isn’t it only right that I teach him not to do that?”
Jaxon, seeing that Griffin wasn’t actually hurt, let out a sigh of relief and gently wiped the tears from his son’s face, soothing him with soft words.
However, when Jaxon noticed that Aurora showed no remorse, the anger that had subsided flared up again. “Griffin is just a child. He doesn’t understand anything. But don’t you? Can’t you just talk to him and tell him he’s wrong? Why do you have to resort to hitting? When you made mistakes, did I ever hit you Didn’t I always reason with you?”
Aurora nearly laughed at his shamelessness. It was the first time she’d encountered someone who could lie so boldly. She thought, ‘You never hit me? You didn’t only because I never gave you the chance!‘
With a sigh that carried a tinge of feigned sorrow, Aurora responded, “Well, Dad, since you have said so, maybe it’s best if I leave Crawford Manor. I wouldn’t want to be an eyesore.” She turned and made her way upstairs, pretending to pack her things.
Truth be told, she had had enough of life in Crawford Manor, and if this was her opportunity to leave, she would seize it without hesitation.
Jaxon’s face stiffened, his frustration growing. He thought, ‘I went to great lengths to bring her back, and now, without gaining anything from it, she wants to leave? That’s not going to happen.
“Look at you. I only said a few words, and now you’re threatening to run away. A girl shouldn’t be so stubborn. You need to be more gentle.” Jaxon nagged, putting on the airs of a concerned father.
Griffin, listening in, realized that things weren’t going his way. He thought, ‘Why isn’t Dad punishing Aurora like I wanted?‘
“Dad, make her leave. You have to get rid of her,” Griffin wailed, tugging at Jaxon’s sleeve, jumping up and down in frustration.
Jaxon’s temple throbbed. He crouched down to reason with Griffin, but the boy was relentless, crying and shouting, refusing to be placated. The noise gave Jaxon a headache, and he was tempted to smack Griffin just to shut him up. But having just scolded Aurora about not hitting, he couldn’t go back on his word in less than five minutes.
Sensing her moment, Aurora stepped forward with a smile as if eager to ease her father’s burden. “Dad, Griffin’s behavior is really out of line. Even if he’s young, he can’t have his way in everything. There should be someone in the family that he’s afraid of, don’t you think?”
Jaxon’s head throbbed with the constant noise of Griffin’s tantrum. As Aurora’s suggestion began to sink in, his expression softened slightly.
Sensing he had softened, Aurora pressed on. “Dad, you heard Griffin earlier. He cursed at me, and I hadn’t even done anything to him. He needs to learn some manners. Why not let me teach him to use polite language while we have the chance?”
Jaxon hesitated. He thought, ‘I’ve come to understand Aurora’s temperament since her return. She isn’t the type to let anyone push her around. Not even me. How could I really trust her to handle Griffin?‘
Thomas finally found an opportunity to interrupt, “Mr. Crawford, Aurora has a point. Maybe you should let her help. After all, she’s the top science student from Mereida. She could even help Griffin with his schoolwork.”
Jaxon, however, deflected the suggestion with a gruff change of subject. “It’s getting late. Let’s go inside and eat.” He thought, ‘Aurora still has her uses in this family, but when the time comes. I must send her away. As for Griffin, I have high hopes for him and don’t want him getting too close to Aurora.
14:55 Wed, Dec 25 G G ti
Chapter 97
Aurora quickly understood Jaxon’s reluctance. She was undeterred and went upstairs to continue packing her things.
30/%
Jaxon formally introduced Thomas at dinner. “Aurora, this is your cousin from your grandmother’s side, Thomas Archer. You can just call him Thomas. He’s studying at university in Merida and is home on summer break, so he brought Griffin back here.”
Thomas adjusted his glasses, flashing a polite smile. “I heard you just finished your exams, Aurora. If you need any advice on choosing a major, feel free to ask me.”
Aurora gave a nonchalant “hmm” in response and continued eating without much interest. Whether she had even heard him was unclear.
Feeling the coolness of her reply, Thomas‘ smile stiffened. He glanced up at Jaxon, silently asking for help.
