Grace’s expression darkened even further.

Aurora had already embarrassed the Walton family once by being involved with that man. And now? She still hadn’t learned her lesson?

A heavy sigh of disappointment settled in Grace’s chest. She looked at Tessa and instructed, “Tessa, I know you have a kind heart, but this is something you don’t need to involve yourself in. She’s a grown woman now. She needs to be responsible for her own choices. She can’t always rely on us.”

Tessa hesitated for a moment, as if she had more to say, but in the end, she sighed and nodded.

“I’ll listen to you, Mom. I just hope my sister can be more sensible and not make you worry.” Every word was laced with quiet concern, full of warmth and understanding.

Grace looked at her thoughtful, considerate daughter, and inevitably, her mind drifted to Aurora. The comparison was unavoidable. And though the dissatisfaction passed in a fleeting moment, Tessa caught it clearly. A slow, knowing smile curled at the corners of her lips. “So, what if you made it into Walton Corporation, Aurora? In the end, Mom will always be on my side.”

…

Meanwhile.

Aurora had just gotten into her car when her phone buzzed. It was a message from the project manager, requesting an updated report based on the latest market conditions. She skimmed through the details and immediately remembered that she had already done the research and compiled a report. But… the file was still at the Walton estate.

Great.

Letting out a sigh, she debated whether to go through the trouble of redoing it from scratch. No. That would be a waste of time. Checking the clock, she figured it was still early. Mom’s probably not home yet. Perfect. She’d just get in, grab her file, and leave.

With practiced ease, she navigated through the familiar gated neighborhood, smoothly pulling into the estate’s garage. Sunlight streamed across the pristine lawn, and the entire house was eerily quiet.

That was odd. Tessa wasn’t home either? She frowned slightly. Wasn’t Tessa always at home resting, since she was supposedly too frail to be out often?

Shaking off the thought, Aurora walked up to the front door. She unlocked it and pushed it open, only to be greeted by the sight of Julian sprawled lazily on the sofa, looking completely at ease. The man’s face was flushed, his gaze unfocused, clearly drunk.

Aurora’s brows furrowed. “What are you doing here?”

She had only come back to retrieve a file, but seeing Julian in this state completely killed her motivation. Now, all she wanted was to get out of here as quickly as possible.

At the sound of her voice, Julian’s eyelids fluttered open. The moment he recognized her, he staggered to his feet, swaying slightly. But his steps were unwavering–he was walking straight toward her.

Aurora’s unease spiked. “What do you think you’re doing?”

She had no intention of staying in this house a second longer. She just wanted to grab the file and leave.

But Julian wasn’t listening. His drunken mind was clouded with only one thought–the woman standing in front of him with her face and lips moving as she spoke.

“…Aurora,” he murmured, voice low and slurred.

The space between them shrank. Aurora stiffened. She had nowhere left to back away.

Her patience snapped. “Julian, given our relationship, don’t you think calling me so intimately like that is a little inappropriate?”

His dazed eyes flickered with brief clarity. Good.

Taking the opportunity, Aurora ducked low, twisting her body to slip past him. But Julian, drunk as he was, moved surprisingly fast. Before she could escape, his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. His chin dropped against the curve of her neck.