Chapter 100
“Go to Lorraine Summer Resort,” Aurora instructed the driver, settling into the back seat with her luggage. The Mercida summer was oppressively hot. Yesterday, Annie had walked only a short distance before succumbing to the heat. Unwilling to leave Aurora to return to Jydrica, Daxon had taken her to Lorraine Summer Resort.
They planned a four- or five-day stay, so Aurora had packed lightly. An hour and a half later, they arrived. The sun blazed, casting a blinding light.
Annie, sprawled on a shaded lounge chair, was enjoying ice cream. Seeing Aurora, she rushed over, pressing a cone into Aurora's hand. "Aurora, you're finally here! Rose has been here a while, and she's been relentlessly bothering Daxon. It's so annoying!"
Annie had called Aurora immediately after learning Rose was coming the previous night. Rose, she explained, was clinging to Daxon and finding excuses to send Annie away. Annie believed Aurora could counteract Rose's schemes.
Pulling Aurora toward the lake, Annie mused, Aurora will definitely get rid of Rose! Despite having met Aurora only yesterday, she felt a certainty in Aurora's ability to succeed—a confidence Annie herself lacked.
Aurora felt a pang of helplessness. Her phone call yesterday had been unclear, but this was her chance to rectify it. "Annie, wait! I don't think that's a good idea." She thought, Rose is bothering Daxon, and Annie wants me to pretend to be his girlfriend to drive Rose away. Isn't that playing into Rose's hands? That's completely against my principles.
Annie's face fell, anxiety clouding her features. Feeling more comfortable with Aurora now, she spoke more assertively. "But you promised me yesterday!" How can Aurora go back on her word? she thought, That would make me upset for nothing.
Aurora placed her hands on Annie's shoulders, bending down to look at her earnestly. "Annie," she said seriously, "you told me yesterday that Rose was using her job to pursue Daxon. I can pretend once or twice, but I can't pretend to be his girlfriend forever. If I'm discovered, wouldn't that damage Daxon and Rose's collaboration?"
Establishing a cooperative relationship was difficult, and once broken, could foster resentment. Their social circle was small, and they frequently encountered each other at parties. A damaged relationship would be disastrous.
Annie considered this, her head drooping. "But I just don't want her to bother Daxon."
Rose, recently returned from studying abroad, was a reputed high-level pharmaceutical researcher with her own institute. Since meeting Daxon at a party, she had been subtly maneuvering him into investing, staging multiple encounters.
This initially had nothing to do with Annie, but she had once witnessed Rose pinching a baby hard enough to make it cry. Rose noticed Annie's presence, and the look she gave Annie was terrifying, haunting Annie's dreams for two nights.
Following that incident, Annie wanted Rose away from Daxon, suspecting ulterior motives.
Unaware of the specifics, Aurora patted Annie's head. "Don't worry. Daxon will always be your brother. Even if he marries, his love for you won't change."
Aurora knew Daxon had brought Annie from Kellynol; she had been by his side for days. Aurora suspected an attachment issue, fearing Annie worried Daxon would stop loving her if he found someone else.
After a pause, Aurora added, "You could ask Daxon what he thinks of Rose. Maybe he doesn't feel anything for her at all?" In her previous life, Aurora had lived to twenty-six and often heard news about Daxon, but never anything about a romantic partner. He must have remained single. If so, Rose was unlikely to become his wife.
Annie felt slightly better but remained gloomy, mumbling shyly, "I just don't like her. If she becomes Daxon's wife, I definitely won't agree!"
Still unwilling to give up, she tugged at Aurora's sleeve pitifully. "Aurora, can't you pretend to be Daxon's girlfriend and drive Rose away?" Ideally, she wanted Aurora to be Daxon's wife.
Rose looked down on Annie, treating her with a condescending air. Around Daxon, she masked her disdain, expressing it subtly. Though Annie hadn't suffered direct harm, the subtle slights bothered her.
The unease in Annie's eyes startled Aurora; it mirrored her past self. Finally, she conceded, "Alright, I'll consider it."
Annie visibly brightened.
"What are you doing here alone? Where's Daxon?" Aurora asked.
Annie's mood plummeted. "Daxon is talking to Rose. I couldn't understand them, so I came out."
They strolled along a path to a lake, bordered on three sides by tall trees and abundant water lilies. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the fragrance of the blossoming lotuses. Aurora found a unique tranquility, the usual noise fading away. No wonder this is a summer resort, she thought.
"Aurora, Daxon's right there!" Annie pointed.
Aurora saw a modern building. Through the large windows, Daxon sat conversing with a striking woman with fiery red lips and wavy hair—Rose, lounging seductively on a sofa.
"Mr. Harrison," Rose purred, her eyes sparkling. "Didn't you say you were optimistic about my research? Why are you still withholding my investment?"
Daxon remained composed. "The planning department is verifying. Once it's complete, the funds will be transferred."
Rose's research met Daxon's investment criteria, but her institute required further investigation. Daxon's team worked with clear divisions of labor; the investment's success affected everyone's year-end bonuses, demanding caution.
Rose's displeasure was palpable.