Chapter 31

As soon as Stacy emerged from the car, she was startled to see Aurora standing by the roadside, unharmed, schoolbag slung over her shoulder. She thought, "What the hell is Rocco doing? Maura's already been discharged from the hospital, and this still isn't sorted out! Seeing Aurora, Maura will definitely be furious."

Maura forced a smile as the McLeans' car drove away. Approaching Aurora, she said, "Why did you take a ride with the McLeans? That's really too much trouble for them."

With no one else around, Aurora dropped the charade. She tossed her backpack over her shoulder and turned abruptly, ignoring Maura.

Witnessing this, Stacy snapped, "You brat! Can't even say hello? You're so rude!"

Aurora stopped. Without turning, she said coldly, "You're living in my house and spending my dad's money. A parasite like you thinks you can win my respect?"

Aurora's words were true. Stacy's family had started with nothing, but after connecting with Jaxon, they'd opened a small business with his help. Most deals stemmed from Jaxon's connections, making "parasite" an apt description.

Stacy's true colors emerged as she unleashed a torrent of curses. "You little bitch! Don't you dare talk like that! I'm your father's legal wife. This is marital property—I have every right to use it. How dare you, a country bumpkin, throw a tantrum in front of me? You should take a good hard look at yourself!"

That was a typical nouveau riche attitude: insults flying once anger ignited.

Aurora's response was concise and cutting: "Show me a mirror. I can use one right now."

Stacy, livid and flushed, stormed towards Aurora. "Look, I'm going to teach you a lesson your dead mother never did. It's about time you learned some respect!" She raised her hand to strike; the setting sun glinted off her freshly manicured nails.

Maura watched silently, a smirk playing on her lips, anticipating the slap.

But things unfolded differently. Aurora caught Stacy's hand mid-air, twisted it, and Stacy's scream pierced the air. Aurora held Stacy's arm twisted behind her back, her thumb pressing firmly enough to elicit a yelp of pain.

Hearing her mother's scream, Maura intervened, "Aurora, what are you doing? Mom was just looking out for you. You just got back from the countryside, and you don't understand high-society etiquette—you'll make a fool of yourself…"

Maura froze, fear rising as Aurora's icy gaze locked onto her. She dared not move.

Aurora chuckled coldly and released Stacy. Seeing Stacy still fuming, she sneered, "What's the deal? Dead set on getting your ass kicked today, huh?"

Stacy's breath hitched; her chest heaved as she glared at Aurora, her hatred palpable.

"Damn brat," Stacy hissed, venom dripping from her voice. "Don't think you've won. Your day will come." Her face twisted in anger, and she left with a sneer.

Aurora didn't flinch, but a glimmer of defiance flickered in her gaze. "Stacy, I'm ready whenever you are."

After Aurora's "rebirth," she'd hoped for a quiet life. Stacy and Maura had shattered that hope, and Aurora wouldn't be as meek as before. Some people were born enemies; giving an inch invited endless suffering.

Inside, the maids had witnessed the confrontation. Aurora's presence felt like a sharpened blade, everyone instinctively making way.

"Ms. Aurora, you… you really shouldn't have talked to Mrs. Crawford like that…" Emina stammered as Aurora passed. Emma thought, "Stacy is Mr. Crawford's wife; disrespecting her like that was almost like slapping Mr. Crawford. If he finds out, and Stacy adds fuel to the fire, Aurora's relationship with Mr. Crawford will only worsen."

Aurora, on the matte-tiled staircase, gave Emma a faint smile. "I'm Dad's birth daughter. Do you think he'll listen to outsiders?"

Emma sighed, worried. "Ms. Aurora, do you really believe that?" Even as a maid, Emma saw it clearly: Mr. Crawford's heart belonged to Stacy and her children.

Aurora's voice was a whisper. "Does it matter if I believe it or not?"

Back in her room, Aurora collapsed onto her bed. Was I too impulsive? I don't think so. Stacy had teamed up with Rocco, and all she'd done was retaliate. In her past life, she'd tried to please Stacy, but it hadn't stopped the scheming.

"Mom, if only you were here…" Tears welled in her eyes. She'd lacked someone to stand up for her, someone to cry to. After a while, she pulled herself together. Her mother had left her with much; she wouldn't let anyone take it away.

She changed into workout clothes, grabbed her dumbbells and ankle weights, and hopped on the treadmill. This room, at the far end of the second floor, was bathed in afternoon sun; even Maura had stopped bothering her.

Upstairs, Stacy was on the phone with Rocco. "Rocco, what the hell's going on? I told you to handle things, yet that brat is still around?"

She slumped onto her vanity stool, replaying the events. How dare that little bitch run her mouth like that? This time, I'll make sure her reputation is ruined.

Her voice was sweet but venomous. "Didn't you arrange for someone to deal with Aurora? Add something extra this time. Let's give her a little something she's never seen before—a gift from her stepmom."

Rocco hesitated. "That's not easy… All my money's tied up…"

Stacy's voice turned cold. "I've got a jade piece here. You can use that."