Chapter 1
In a grand ballroom of Merrida’s most luxurious five–star hotel the lights shimmered like a golden palace, casting a warm glow over the scene. Today, it was hosting a lavish engagement party, a gathering of the elite to celebrate the union of the Crawford family’s heiress and the Newton family’s heir. Beneath the glistening crystal chandeliers, the couple stood, basking in the crowd’s admiration and blessings.
In the venue, the air buzzed with chatter. Nobles, tycoons, and high–society figures filled the que, their laughter and the sound of clinking glasses echoing across the opulent room. Every corner was adorned with elegant floral arrangerars
accents, flaunting the grandeur and significance of the event.
But then moments later, like a needle scratching a record, there was a heavy, bone–chilling than
Venue
A delicate body had plummeted from the rooftop of the hotel, crashing violently onto the ground below. Her form lay still, twisted in a grotesque angle, unterly lifeless, Bruises marred her flawless skin, each mark a cruel testament to the indignity she’d endured before her fall, as if the last shreds of her dignity had been brutally tom away.
A collective gasp swept through the crowd of passers–by, whose eyes darted up to where the body had fallen from. There, by the window, appeared a face drenched in cold sweat, eyes wide with a terror impossible to hide. The shock that passed through the passers–by was palpable–it was clear. that the woman hadn’t jumped off the building; she’d been pushed.
Murmurs and gasps began to ripple through the gathering Some scrambled to dial emergency services, while others rushed to the body, a cocktail of emotions swirling in their eyes. Whispered gossip flowed through the crowd like wildfire, curiosity and shock intertwining
Their gazes moved from her lifeless face to her exposed body, and all around, unsavory thoughts flickering in their minds. Eyes that had initially registered shock soon shifted to disdain, sneers, and outright revulsion. The crowd’s fascination with the woman seemed to feed off the possibly scandalous nature of the situation, and their imaginations ran wild with inappropriate and salacious thoughts.
“Isn’t that. Aurora Crawford” A hushed voice dropped like a bomb into the growing tension, igniting a frenzy of whispers.
“Aurora Crawford: You mean the girl the Crawford family took back a few years ago? I heard she was a real wild child and had no manners before she reunited with her family. And when she came back, she started throwing her weight around like she owned the place, one man said, his eyes gleaming with malice,
The murmurs escalated, excitement flashing across several faces.
“Didn’t she even try to seduce her stepsister’s fiance? T
“The one getting engaged upstairs–that’s her stepsister, right? This whole party’s about to blow up. The Crawford family is gonna be humiliated,” another person said, clearly enjoying the drama.
Each whisper was like a dagger, stabbing into Aurora’s already cold and lifeless body though she couldn’t hear anything anymore. She lay there on the icy ground, her limbs cold and stiff, her mind slipping into darkness. The sharp pain of her body and the searing shame intertwined in her fading consciousness..
Aurora’s thoughts wandered back to her ridiculous father and, even more painfully, to her own absurdity.
When she was first brought back into die Crawford family, she had cared nothing for wealth or status. All she had wanted was to escape the shadow of orphanhood and find a place where she truly belonged.
Yet, in her earnest attempts to fit in and win their favor, she had only paved the way for this cruel outcome. Her attempts to please had led her here, to this tragic end.
She couldn’t get the face of her father out of her mind, the man who threw h
threw her a bone when it suited him but was more than happy to offer her up like a lamb to the slaughter. At the moment, he was hosting a grand engagement party for his stepslaughter after throwing Aurora to a bunch of sleazy thugs The pain in her chest laurned like fine, die hatred bubbling up, threatening to consume her.
And then Aurora thought about Maura Crawford, the very woman who had orchestrated her downfall. When Aurora had first returned to the Crawford family, no one had treated her kindly–except Maura, her stepsister, always there to offer a kind word or a helping hand.
So, despate Maura being nothing more than her stepsister, Aurora had always considered her like a real sister. No matter how big the trouble, Aurora had never hesitated to take the blame or shoulder the responsibility for Maura. Yet, in the end, this was the fate Aurora had to face.
She hated them all. She hated the Crawford family’s lies, their cruelty. But most of all, she hated herself for being such a fool
“To pleate them, she’d handed over everything–her mother’s inheritance, her pride, her talents–she had dimmed her own light just to make Maura shine. She had been nothing but a puppet, a clown for their amusement.
Asher world began to collapse into nothingirss, Aurora was consumed by a whirlwind of regret and rage. She hunted the Crawfords‘ heartlessness, her non taivety, and all those who had mocked, used, and hurt hier. Her eyes remained wide open, fixed on the sky as if carving an unspoken vow into the heavein. ‘If there’s a test life. I will make them all pay,’ she thought.
At that moment, outside the hotel, the subtle dick of a car door opening signated the arrival of a strikingly tall and impeccably dressed man, who was ushered out of the vehicle as if he were the most clierisland guest.
5:53 PM ·
Chapter 1
He wore a perfectly tailored suit, has presence so powerful that it seemed to make the world bend to his will. It was as if a spotlight had landed on him, freezing everything else in place.
The previously buzzing crowd fell into a summed silence, as though a forceful hush had swept over them. The whispers that had filled the air evaporated, and the throng parted almost instinctively, creating a clear path for him.
“Is that the legendary head of the Harrison family?” one woman whispered in awe, her voice barely containing the thrill of seeing him in person.
Her friend nodded, wide–eyed. “Yes, the one known for his unpredictable moods and eccentricities. For they say he can turn the tides in Mereida with a snap of his fingers”
Another person nearby chimed in with disbelief, “It’s really him. One of the most powerful men in to come to the engagement party? This is huge”
rawford family actually got him
The man was Dason Harrison, whose name alone commanded respect in the whole city of Mereida. Every rumor about him sent chills down people’s spines. Now, his presence here left everyone stunned, curious as to why he would attend such an event.
Dason halted in his tracks. His gaze swept over the crowd before locking onto Aurora who sprawled on the ground. He strode forward, each step calm yet purposeful, until he stood over Aurora’s broken body.
She looked like a masterpiece shattered into a million pieces–bloodstained, but still eerily beautiful. Daxon’s expression darkened, recognizing Aurora—a woman seemingly so astute though her fate and family had cruelly played her for a fool. Her once–bright eyes now held only despair and an almost palpable hatred
“Mr. Harrison? |
his assistant,
Harry Gray, called out softly, confused by his boss’s behavior.
But Daxon didn’t respond. He knelt down beside Aurora, swiftly removing his suit jacket and wrapping it gently but firmly around her. His movements were decisive, as though protecting her was second nature. Scooping her into his arms, he gave a cool order. “Bring the car around”
Though Harry’s shock was written all over his face, he wasted no time in doing as he was told.
Aurora, floating on the edge of oblivion, barely registered what was happening. The pain, the anger–everything was slowly numbing. But in the hate, she was stunned as she caught a glimpse of Dixon, the njan now covering her body with his jacket and cradling her as if she were something precious.
She had never expected that of all the p
people, it was him who tried to take her to the hospital in the end.
Before she could process the thought, a violent gust of wind swept through the sky. The world around her faded to black, and Aurora slipped into the cold embrace of unconsciousness
The affluent district of Mereida sat perched atop a mountain, serene and secluded, with its winding road snaking up to the peak. Along the road, a sleek black sedan was speeding up the incline when a dark figure darted across its path. The driver, Leopold Barone, slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching in protestas sparks flew from the friction.
Inside, Aurora, seated in the back, was thrown forward with a sickening
sing thud, her head colliding with the seatback before everything went black.
“Miss Aurora, are you okay!” Hearing the collision in the backseat, Leopold twisted around to check on her, his voice tinged with panic as he got no response for a long time.
He hurriedly jumped out of the car, yanked open the rear door, and there she was–her body limp, her face pale, her consciousness falling
Aurora’s mind drified into a foggy haze, her past memories still clinging like shadows in her muddled thoughts, It felt like she was drowning. sinking deeper into the abyss, struggling but unable to surface.
Though sheer willpower, she shook her head and forced her eyes open the world around her swimming in and out of focus like a dream slipping through her fingers
“Leopold” the managed to whisper weakly, the name barely escaping her lips.
“Yes, it’s me, Miss Aurora. Should I take you to the hospital?” Leopold’s voice wavered with concern.
Aurora shook her head slowly, her vision clearing just enough to catch the glaring sunlight streaming through the window. It cast an ethereal glow on her face, making the already surreal moment feel even more like a waking dream. She dug her nails into her arm, desperate to confirm if she was truly awake.
“Where are we, Leopold?” she asked, though she already had an idea. She needed to hear it, needed the confirmation.
Leopold looked at her, startled “Miss Aurora, you’re the daughter of Mr. Jason Crawford, head of the Crawford family. Mr. Crawford asked me to bring you home. You you don’t remember
2/3
5:53 PM
Chapter 1
A bitter laugh bubbled up from Aurora’s throat, low and filled with cutting trony and hatred. She could never forget that this was the very first time she crossed the threshold into the Crawford family’s world ten years ago—a journey that had begun with hope and ended in utter ruin. Even her death had been scarred with a scandalous mess.
Now, fate had turned its wheel once more, and here she was, back from the brink, her soul still battered but her heart fueled by a hatred that had taken rom and flourished.
The landscape outside the window hadn’t changed, but Aurora had. This road, once the path she’d walked so many times in silent misery, was lined with memories of humiliation. Back when she had first joined the Crawford family, she used to be told there were no drivers available and because it was hard to hail a cab there, she had been left to fridge down the mountain on foot
Back then, she had believed her presence was a burden to her family. She had tried to be considerate and accommodating, afraid of causing trouble. But now she knew better. It had been deliberate, a cruel little game just to humiliate her.
How stupid was I she thought bitterly, her fingers curling into a fist, nails digging into her palm, mine, to let them walk all over me with a smile.
se me and take away what’s rightfully
A cold shiver ran down her spine as the fury stemmed from the memories of her past life surged inside her, almost unbearable. Her body seemed to radiate that icy anger, her eyes darkening as flashes of crimson flickered in their depths, catching Leopold’s attention. He glanced at herthrough the rearview mirror, unnerved by the sharp, dangerous glint in her eyes.
He thought, a chill creeping up his neck, Is she… possessed or something?
“Miss Aurora?” he asked cautiously, his voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid of disturbing something much darker.
His words snapped her back to the present. She took a deep breath, the edge of a smirk playing on her lips. No rush, she thought. Tve got all the time in the world in this lifetime.
“I’m fine,” she replied, her voice calm yet commanding “Let’s keep going.”
This time, she wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past.
As the car wound its way higher up the mountain, the view grew more vast and spectacular. The sprawling estates of Terranes, where the elite Mereida resided, appeared like jewels nestled into the landscape. Every inch of the place screamed luxury and exclusivity–sculpted gardens, towering mansions, and views that stretched out for miles, too far for the common eye to even dream of
of
The further they ventured inward, the more magnificent the architecture became, with eacht residence showcasing an increasingly lavish grandeur. The families residing here, too, bore more distinguished status, their prestige echoing through the opulent facades and luxurious interiors. “Terranex has the best view in all of Mercida,” Leopold said, trying to lighten the mood. “And now, Miss Aurora, it’s where you’ll be living.”
Aurora nodded, her gaze distant, her expression unreadable. Nothing seemed to stir her anymore, her heart locked away from the grandeur and beauty that once might ve made her breath catch.
Leopold couldn’t hide his surprise. Just a while ago, Aurora had been full of nervous energy on the ride, bombarding him with questions about her family, clearly anxious, her voice tinged with both hope and fear. She had even been careful to please him, her driver, with almost excessive deference
But now, she seemed detached, almost regal in her calm. ‘Like a real lady of the house, he thought.
Leopold fell silent, driving the rest of the way in quiet. As they neared Crawford Manor, the gates slowly swung open, revealing a sprawling estate. The lush gardens stretched out endlessly, a pristine lawn leading to an ornate fountain at its center, where two statues stood in the misty spray, rainbows shimmering in the sunlight.
And there, amid all the opulence, sat an elegant lady, leisurely sipping her afternoon tea in the meticulously manicured garderi
Aurora’s lips curled into a knowing smile as she recognized the woman before her, Stacy Crawford.
