Chapter 9
Newton, Beamna i von had been virk and in desperate need of a bone marrow
But then Ertem head daarmeered that Aumes shared the ume Mood type with Josh, and momediately told the Newton family that Maura was willing Wi when the time had come for the surgery, Aurora innstrad had been
knew thar the defend future daughter–in–law she was in prod of, the one
sought enolid save her son’s life, was nothing but a
soft, meliels buzhen aped from Autor
She raised h
end, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “Firit, you send your minions, and now chully me with your so called umhorityr
The crowd who had been watching k-
The Newton Langly miela
watching with
(branch of a bigers, more influential family from Jydratica, bait in Merrida, they wielded immense
dis Murmatovcall her sibl lady“) Loeryone in die room thought the must have a death wish
wift motion, knocked the tray out of his
As expected. Beams vexpiression darke Tarub An array of cocktads. as, and delicacies tumbled to the floor, spreading in a colorful mess
after people.
Ülerar Miss Aurora Crawford grew up in the countryside,” Beatrix said with a cold, mocking unile. “Surely you’re used to cleaning up af try Therche a dhear; anal clean slim sap for us. She turned to Damon, who was standing nearby. “Fetch the cleaning supplies“
The rooms fell ulen. The thought of Aurora, in her elegant gown, being forced to clean up the mess in front of everyone was humiliating enough bús doing so in the middle of the grand hall, with all eyes on her was even more mortifying Beatrix wasn’t just trying to embarrass her she was
Aurono could feel the weight of everyone’s starri–sume curious, others gleeful. The whispers started and someone said, “So much for her high- and–mighty an. What good is looking all fancy if she’s just going to be mopping floors in front of everyone? They laughed quietly, savoring her impending downfall
Damon, sending that Aunora wouldn’t comply easily, gestured to the servants, who quickly, tossed a mop and bucket in her direction
Aurora moved to sidestep the stuff, but someone discreetly tossed a small marble her way. Her heel slipped on the bead, sending her crashing to the floor. The sharp edge of broken glass cut into her arm, blood dripping from the deep gashes. The bucket of diny water spilled over her iexpensive dress soaking it beyond recoration.
es, once filled.
Moments earlier, people were admiring her elegance, her poise. Now, they recoiled as if her fall from grace was contagious. Their eyes, once with compliments, now brimmed with cold mockery and disdain.
In high society, darkness lurked behind almost every smile, and the higher one chmbed, the more brutal the fight. No one ever got to the top ithout some scars, but openly challenging the powerful was like inviting disaster. Aurora’s defiance only painted a bigger target on her back.
“Aurora, let me give you a lesson. In this world, only power and influence can make people bow to your wall. Did you really think that just because you’re suddenly the Crawford family’s heiress, you can look down on others? How naive.” Beatrix sneered, her voice try and dripping with condescension She showed no remorse for going all the way to bully a mere teenager,
Alison, ever eager to stir the pot, sinirked, “Oh dear, Mrs. Newton only asked Miss Aurora Crawford to clean up, but it seems she decided to mop the floor with her own dress instead How thoughtful”
Damon, feigning shock, added with a dramatic sigh. “Imagine that. Our esteemed Miss Aurora Crawford, using her own dress to wipe the floor. We, the Lloyd family, certainly don’t lune that kind of power. She’s being too kind.”
Samara, never nor to miss a chance to pile on, gave a snide laugh. “Who knows? Maybe she’s trying out some kind of new seduction tactic by getting all wet You know, those country girls, they always know the weirdest tricks”
The commotion had grown louder, drawing the attention of men who had been discussing business across the room. Even they started drifting over, intrigued by the spectacle
From the corner of her eye, Aurora spotted Jason hiding behind the crowd in the distance, his face hard with disgust, not an ounce of concern in his expression. Aurora knew he wasn’t worried about her, he was worried about what kind of trouble she might bring to the Crawford family
Aurora had long since stopped expecting anything from Jaxon, but his cold indifference still stung. Every time he proved his cowardice, it only added to her disappointment. She knew, at this moment, Jason wasn’t going to lift a finger to help her. Not now, not ever
Aurora’s gaze grew colder by the second, like ice forming over deep waters, yet she wore a smile that was anything but warm. With quiet grace, she pulled the hem of her gown from the filthy water and placed her palm firmly against the shattered glass beneath her to stand up
The room held its breath. In our swift, shocking move, she slapped Beatrix across the face, shards of glass embedded in her palm slicing into
1/3
the Heatris shricked, clutching at her cheek, but ion scared to actually touch it. Her face burned with umbling like a henne nt cards
cars screamed, pacing in fury as her once neat hair fell loose, no longer resembling the refined lady she
like the glass
chit away? Damen, dumblranded by Aurora’s audacity, scrambled to get help, his face drained of all color
“Kuenebradi gralaber, Kent is commanded, her voice nembling with fury. Her eyes gleamed with a thirst for vengeance as she made up her mind
a pombul lesson. The Newton family’s quand nished in, surrounding Aurora like wolves closing in on prey.
Jason, watching the chan unfold, save the situation spiraling out of commel. He stormed over, fund raised, ready to strike his daughter. “Aurora,
Ben Aurers, unflinching, caught his wrist in mid–air “Too far! Mrs. Newton singl
and humiliated me in front of everyone. I simply
“Whos do you think you are to do that to Mrs. Newton Jason spat, his shock barely contained.
Aureira’s smile faded as she let go of his hand. “Oh, please. Our family and the Lloyd Lamily are both distinguished i ames in Mereida. Are we supposed to first roll over and let the Newtons walk all over me, the Crawford family’s heiress, at a Lloyd family event? Should we just hand over our family business while wETE MAILE”
Taxon froze, his works watching in his throat. Across the room, Patrick Lloyd, the head of the Lloyd family, finally stepped in. The Newtons, Crawfords, and Lloyds have always been allies. Aurora, you’ve acted recklessly, and Mrs. Newton, as your elder, was merely teaching you a lesson. Yet you’ve responded with cruelty.
“Mr. Crawford: your daughter’s behavior is both ruthless and cunning. If you don’t rein her in, there will be consequences.”
Jason felt like he was sitting on a powder keg, ready to blow at any second. “You little brat, Apologize to Mrs. Newton, now,” he demanded, his face flushed with fury.
While the family doctor was treating her wound, Beatrix, her face still bleeding, chuckled–coldly, “No need for apologies. Assault is a crime. I’ll have hersent to prison”
The mention of prison sent a shiver through Jason’s spine. His anger faltered, but fear of escalating things kept him silent. He shot Aurora a furious glare, knowing full well this wasn’t a battle be could afford to fight.
Aurora, however, stood her ground while being cornered by a bunch of bodyguards, Beatrix, sensing her moment of power, let her cruelty shine. “Well there’s one way I might let this slide.
Jaxon exhaled in relief, but Aurora remained unmoved, knowing exactly where this was going
Just as the expected. Beatrir’s voice dripped with malice as she continued, “She can strip herself naked and crawl out of here.”
The room gasped. Beatris smirked reveling in the horror of it all. ‘Let her crawl out, humiliated, with her nude photos plastered all over the internet. She won’t even be able to show her face in public anymore. That’ll teach her, she thought with satisfaction.
Several men exchanged wicked smiles, already enjoying the prospect of Aurora’s humiliation Jaxon’s expression stiffened. He knew that if Aurora complied and crawled out of here naked, she’d lose all her worth in his eyes. She’d be nothing but a ruined, discarded pawn-
Yet, he also understood that Beatrix, with her face slashed, would never let this go. If he tried to intervene, it would only bring her with down on him
Silence filled the room. Beatrix, smug
ug and self–assured, savored her victory. “Well?” she asked, daring anyone to challenge her.
The whispers started, low but clear. “If she knew it would come to this, she should’ve just changed things
“That’s why you don’t throw your weight around unless you’ve got the power to back it schadenfreude. This isn’t a playground. It’s the real deal.”
changed her dress earlier. Now, she’s really made a mess of
i up, another murmured, their tone dripping with
“And if even her own father won’t defend her, who else will someone said with a cruel chuckle.
Aurora, blood still dripping from her palm, scanned the room. Faces that had once praised her beauty now looked on with disgust, or worse indifference. But instead of fear or shame, something else flickered in her eyes–defiance. Beatrix might’ve thought she’d won, but Aurora wasn’t one to bow down so easily.
