Chapter 98

Jaxon tightened his grip on his fork. "Arora, Thomas is our guest. How can you be so rude? Apologize to Thomas!"

Thomas wore a self-composed, gentle smile. He planned to play the good guy, expecting Aurora to apologize and develop feelings for him. This would also reward him handsomely in Jaxon's eyes. Seeing the luxury items in Aurora's room, Thomas felt he'd struck gold—a practical gain alongside the pursuit of a beautiful girl, perfectly satisfying his vanity.

Aurora calmly swallowed her food. "Dad, didn't you teach me to mind my manners at the table and speak less? Why are you contradicting yourself?"

Jaxon, wanting to avoid conversation, used this as an excuse to belittle her, lecturing her on high society etiquette. Countered by Aurora, he felt embarrassed but endured it.

Silence followed. Having already dealt with Griffin, Aurora felt content and quickly finished her meal. "I'm full, take your time," she said, leaving for her room.

Frustrated, Jaxon attempted damage control. "I apologize. Aurora has become rude because I spoiled her." Thomas, noticing the strained relationship, offered a few words to ease the awkwardness.

Back in her room, Aurora received a message:

Annie: [Aurora, are you there?] Aurora: [Yes.]

Annie, waiting anxiously, immediately called. "Aurora, can you do me a favor tomorrow?" she pleaded, her voice tight with nervousness.

After hearing Annie's request, Aurora felt embarrassed. "Actually, my relationship with Jaxon isn't good. I'm afraid I can't help."

Annie, near tears, desperately explained, "Aurora, I have no one else. I saw her pinching a baby's face! The child was crying loudly. She's terrifying!"

Hearing the tremor in Annie's voice, Aurora hesitated. "I'll see. It might not work out."

"Thank you, Aurora."

Hanging up, Aurora looked at her hands, her expression troubled. "I just pinched a child's face, too. Griffin cried terribly. Am I also horrible? Annie had a hard time with the Whitakers, but I never imagined she'd be afraid of an evil woman. Should I also restrain myself?"

A knock sounded. "Who is it?"

"It's me, Aurora." Thomas's voice.

Hearing Thomas, Aurora's expression darkened. In her past life, the night Thomas returned with Griffin, Griffin had secretly brought him to her room while she slept. She'd awakened screaming, terrified, nearly assaulted by Thomas. No one had helped; they acted deaf. A servant eventually unlocked the door. Griffin and Thomas faced no punishment, instead blaming Aurora for seducing Thomas.

This time, she'd dealt with Griffin, but Thomas had found his way to her room.

"What are you doing here?" Aurora opened the door, her expression blank.

Seeing Aurora, who barely reached his shoulder, Thomas drew closer, inhaling deeply. The scent of youth made him feel aroused. He thought, Aurora doesn't hold as much importance in Jaxon's eyes as Maura does, so marrying her wouldn't bring many benefits. Still, Aurora is beautiful, and it wouldn't be bad to have some fun with her.

Disgusted by Thomas's expression, Aurora slammed the door shut without another word.

The door struck Thomas's nose, causing him to yelp in pain. Tears streamed down his face as he realized his nose was bleeding.

"Open the door! You better open the door!" Thomas raged. His nose, the result of expensive cosmetic surgery, was a prized feature. Aurora had ruined it, and he wouldn't let her escape easily. "Aurora, open the door right now!"

The room remained silent.

A flash of malice crossed Thomas's eyes as he produced a key. Do you think I can't get in? How naive!

Jaxon, trusting Thomas, had given him a key to Aurora's room.

Aurora leaned against the wall, listening to the sounds at the keyhole. A mocking smile touched her lips. Jaxon actually gave the key to my room to a stranger he just met today. Jaxon, you've lost your mind.

Just as the door was about to open, Aurora yanked it open, catching Thomas off guard. The key slipped from his grasp.

"Stop shouting!" Aurora said coldly.

Thomas ignored the key. "Look at what my nose has become!" he cried, pointing at it.

Aurora leaned against the doorframe. "So?" She pointed to the key. "How do you have the key to my room?"

Thomas quickly retorted, "How would I know? Maybe you forgot to take it."

"Are you here to steal something?" Aurora ignored him, directly accusing him.

"You're talking nonsense! I'm a university graduate! How could I steal your things? Be careful. I might sue you for defamation!"

Thomas felt anxious. Why is Aurora acting so unpredictably? She's a bit hard to deal with.

Aurora, wasting no more time, punched him squarely on the nose. He stumbled back, crashing into the wall, his nose now crooked.

Chapter 99