Chapter 11

"Well, what do you think you're doing?" Beatrix's tone carried an unspoken warning—Aurora better not get any wild ideas about exploiting them. Beatrix thought, If Dan hadn't stood up for her for some crazy reason, Aurora would have been thrown on her ass like a stray dog by now. How could she still bargain with someone as if she had some leverage?

"The diamond market's in the gutter, and good pieces are hard to come by," Aurora said, her lips curling into a sly smile. "How about you hand over that bracelet?" She knew perfectly well how much Beatrix treasured it—it was a secret heirloom. It was now clear that Aurora was after her mother's jewelry.

"Aren't you going to push back?" Kamara had been holding her tongue since Dan intervened, but she couldn't take it anymore. The bracelet was worth over fifty million dollars, not to mention its rarity. Unless a family was on the brink of ruin, they would never sell it. Aurora's practically cursing the Newton family to fall into ruin, Somers thought.

Avreen shrugged off Samatos's observation as if it were nothing. "Defamation, slander, and bullying just because I'm from the countryside? Honestly, if you go back a few generations, we're all country folk." She pulled out a voice recorder and waved it airily. "I'll post everything you just said online. The Newton family's stock is sure to plummet by tens of millions of dollars in a day. What do you think? I'm only asking for a bracelet. I'd say I'm being pretty generous."

Dansus watched Aurora with an amused smile. She was ruthless and cutthroat. He had to admit, she reminded him of himself. Beatrix trembled with rage, yet as her eyes flicked to Daxon's approving expression, she knew she had no choice. Slowly and reluctantly, she slid the bracelet off her wrist, running her fingers over it one last time before handing it to Aurora.

"Jewelry is delicate, and so are people," Beatrix said to Aurora, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Let's hope your luck matches your eye for jewelry."

"Mom," Samara called out, clearly unsatisfied that her mother had given in.

"That's enough," Beatrix cut Samara off, ready to leave.

"Hold on," Aurora stopped them.

"What do you still want?" Samara was barely holding it together. Her eyes were red, and she looked on the verge of tears.

"You forgot something," Aurora twirled the bracelet around her fingers, her tone dripping with condescension.

"Didn't we already make amends?" Samara felt like she was about to lose her temper.

"A gift and an apology—those aren't the same thing, are they? Even a child knows to say sorry when they've done something wrong. You two adults still don't get it?" Aurora wasn't about to back down. She'd already burned her bridges with the Newtons, and she had no plans to play nice. Besides, in her past life, the Newton family had constantly bullied her because of their status. And Jason had used them to ruin her; the Newton family had certainly played their part.

Samara let out a shriek, ready to attack Aurora, determined to fight. But Beatrix grabbed Samara just in time, her knuckles white as she took a deep breath. Holding Samara down, Beatrix apologized. "I'm sorry." Her face was as pale as a ghost.

Just before leaving, Beatrix shot Aurora a frosty glance. "Ms. Crawford, sometimes it's wise to show mercy when you can. Being too sharp will only get you cut."

Aurora's smile didn't waver. "Thanks for your advice, but no need to worry about me. I believe in karma. Bad people get what's coming to them eventually."

Beatrix paused but didn't look back as she walked away. This banquet had completely ruined her reputation.

Aurora watched them leave, unfazed. The heavens had given her a second life, and she intended to settle any past debts.

"Aurora, some media outlets just posted your photos online," Maura exclaimed, practically beaming, holding out her phone. "And get this—Thom & Cortes's official account has already claimed the pics and wants you as their ambassador!" As she spoke, her eyes kept darting toward Daxon, who stood beside Aurora. "This is the head of the Harrison family. Even Beatrix has to treat him with respect. If I could somehow get close to him…"

"Not interested," Aurora barely glanced at the news. She didn't need this to boost her status. As for money? She had no shortage of ways to acquire it.

"Funny, didn't Samara just say Aurora has no business wearing Thom & Cortes? Guess she's eating her words now," someone else echoed. With Samara gone, the others felt bolder.

Aurora wasn't interested in entertaining those who only followed the trend. Noticing the women eyeing Daxon, she tucked her handbag away and asked, "Ready to go, Mr. Harrison?"

Daxon glanced at his watch, stretched his long legs, and prepared to stand.

Maura quickly stepped in front of them. "It's rude to ask, but Mr. Harrison, what exactly is your relationship with my sister?"

Aurora leaned in, lifting Maura's chin with a light touch, her gaze locking onto Maura's. "If you know it's rude to ask, then don't. Got it?"

Aurora's perfume filled Maura's senses, giving her the eerie impression that Aurora was a poisonous, alluring flower. A chill ran down Maura's spine, but she quickly masked her nerves.

Maura said with a fake smile, "It's late, and if you just walk off with a stranger, we'll be worried. Knowing your relationship with Mr. Harrison would help put our minds at ease. Just because Mr. Harrison is a big shot doesn't mean we should let him take you away without a reason, right?"

Aurora smiled, knowing exactly what Maura was doing. In front of everyone, if Daxon and she were closely linked, the Crawford family would try to curry favor with Daxon. But if their relationship was nothing special, Aurora would be seen as insignificant.

Most people hoped for the latter. Someone like Daxon was almost impossible to get close to.

"Mr. Harrison lost something. I found it for him, and now he owes me a favor. That's all," Aurora said. Her explanation played right into their assumptions because she never intended to use Daxon's power.

Counting today, Daxon had helped her three times. Aurora had no plans to drag him into her personal vendetta. That would be ungrateful and reckless.

Daxon, however, was a little taken aback by how Aurora distanced herself from him, especially given her precarious position. For her to pull off something like that—she indeed has some guts, he thought.

Hearing Aurora's explanation, the crowd nodded, feeling their suspicions confirmed. Some silently cursed themselves for missing the opportunity to cozy up to Daxon. They started vying for his attention.

"Dad, I'll be right back after helping Mr. Harrison pick up his things," Aurora said, cutting the conversation short. She nodded at Daxon before walking out with him.

As soon as they were in the car, Daxon turned to her. "Where's my sister?"

Aurora hesitated. "I don't actually know."

The car came to a screeching halt. Harry, the driver, was startled. Holy moly… Just don't get me killed over this, my lady, Harry thought.