Aurora walked to the side and slipped her foot back into her high heel. She didn’t even glance at the women writhing on the floor.
With a captivating air, she crossed the threshold toward Yvette. Flashing a charming smile, she said, “Hi there, young lady. Thanks for helping out. What’s your name?”
Yvette pulled back her legs, raised an eyebrow, and nodded casually. “Yvette.”
Aurora found Yvette delightful. “Young lady, let me treat you to coffee. Not here, though. I know a better place you’ll definitely like.”
Yvette lowered her eyes slightly. Her demeanor remained cool and composed. She nodded calmly at the cliché invitation.
Aurora smiled even more cheerfully. She loved girls who were so straightforward, unlike the pretentious and overly cautious elite ladies from Betrico who would politely refuse—such dullness. Even if it was the norm, they certainly wouldn’t be on her wavelength.
“Great. Oh right, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Aurora. I run a company that does a little bit of everything.” Aurora tilted her head slightly.
She looked at Lucy as if noticing her for the first time. Suddenly, an idea struck her. “Are you Lucy, the CEO of Fast Pulse Technologies?”
Lucy was on the verge of tears. Being near Yvette made her feel invisible. They had been standing there for a while, yet Aurora had only just noticed her.
Oh, what a pity! she thought. After all, I’m a stunning girl with smooth skin, long legs, and a gorgeous look. The rumors are true. Aurora is totally obsessed with good looks. Is it just because I’m slightly less beautiful than Yvette that I’m so completely ignored? It’s so annoying. But she admired Yvette; she simply couldn’t accept losing a beauty contest to anyone.
Lucy nodded. “Hello, Aurora, I’m Lucy.”
Aurora, perhaps feeling slightly embarrassed, extended an invitation to Lucy. “Would you like to join us?”
Lucy instantly recognized the insincerity of Aurora’s invitation and politely declined.
Aurora didn’t seem the least bit upset. In fact, she seemed happier.
Lucy, accustomed to heartbreak, assumed the situation was handled; those women wouldn’t dare to mess with Aurora. She said goodbye to Yvette, knowing Yvette was in Seacrity. If Yvette didn’t come to Betrico, she could always go to Seacrity.
After Lucy left, Aurora was about to leave with Yvette when Eleanore, who had fainted earlier, saw them. Remembering what happened, she touched her head, only to grab a handful of her hair. Eleanore screamed wildly, a chilling, miserable sound.
Yvette and Aurora both looked at her.
Eleanore, though shocked, retained some sanity. She wouldn't dare confront Aurora, but she didn’t know Yvette, assuming she wasn't Betrico elite. Determined to vent her anger, Eleanore stood with the aid of other ladies, glaring ominously at Yvette.
Eleanore’s voice trembled. “You silly girl, this isn’t over yet. We won’t let you get away with it.”
Aurora quickly stepped in front of Yvette, her expression cold. “Do you have any shame? Bullying a girl without considering me, Aurora? If you have the nerve, come at me. What kind of bullies target a little girl?”
Seeing Aurora defend Yvette, Eleanore was furious. Today’s humiliation was unbearable. She couldn’t believe Aurora would jeopardize her reputation to protect Yvette.
The other ladies, less affected, shrank back; they couldn’t afford to provoke Aurora.
Eleanore gritted her teeth, enduring the pain in her scalp. “Mrs. Chavez, you’re going too far. You hit us, and we let it slide. But why should we forgive this girl? Step aside. It’s none of your business. We want to deal with her.”
The other wealthy ladies agreed. They were influential figures in Betrico; they needed a scapegoat to preserve their reputations.
Eleanore thought she’d compromised, that Aurora would understand.
But Aurora gave them a cold glance, her temper flaring. Perhaps she hadn’t been forceful enough. She considered using force to subdue them. “Didn’t you understand? I’ll tell you again. I’m protecting this person, so bring your issues to me.”
As the standoff continued, police sirens sounded outside.
Yvette calmly glanced at the women, noticing one in a cheongsam smile slightly at the sirens. The smile was brief, but Yvette saw it.
Eleanore was taken aback. Who called the police? she wondered. If this blows up, what good will it do us? Especially with how protective the Chavez family is?
Aurora wasn’t worried. A trip to the police station was just an excursion. She’d been there once before, for hitting a harassing man with a brick.
Worried Yvette might be scared, Aurora reassured her, “Yvette, don’t be afraid. I will protect you. Let’s just pretend we’re having fun at the police station. Give me a moment. I’ll call my husband to get us out.”
Yvette nodded obediently.
Aurora patted her shoulder, exuding a big-sisterly air. She glanced at the women, snorted coldly, and said, “When we get to the police station, let’s talk it out. Don’t say I bullied you. You better call your husbands over.”
Eleanore and the ladies, seeing the fear on each other’s faces, were scared. Their husbands would be in serious trouble if they offended the Chavez family.
Eleanore, enduring her headache, tried to appease Aurora. “Mrs. Chavez, let’s call it off. We won’t go to the police station. You’ve already let out your anger. Let’s pretend this never happened, alright?”
Aurora disliked Eleanore’s gossiping. She ignored Eleanore’s frightened look, took out her phone, and dialed Clifford’s number.
The call connected, and Aurora’s demeanor changed instantly. The fierce tigress became a harmless kitten. “Honey, I was bullied. I’m so scared. My hand hurts.”