A chilling male voice sounded from not far away.

Hearing it, Megan trembled in fear. She grabbed Ian and tried to run; this place was no longer safe to linger.

Aurora couldn’t help but laugh as she looked at Lucas. “Really, what were you doing scaring her like that?”

“Look at how bold she’s become. She even dares to tease us now.”

Aurora thought back to what Megan had just said, and her cheeks flushed. On second thought, Lucas wasn’t wrong. Aurora nodded solemnly, playing along. “You’re right. You should go teach her a lesson.”

Not far away, Megan roared, “Aurora, are we still friends? I treated you like one, and you stabbed me in the back!”

Aurora stayed unmoved. After all, Megan had been peeking around the corner just now, watching with such delight. She considered Lucas’s words carefully and agreed that Megan needed to be disciplined properly. So, Aurora didn’t stop him.

Lucas strode inside with long steps.

In the end, Megan lost her pocket money for a month. When she came out, she was sobbing. “Aurora, you’re so mean. Don’t you see me as your friend anymore?”

Aurora tilted her head to the sky. “Wow, what a fine day.”

Megan was speechless. Sure enough, their bond had faded. Aurora didn’t even bother to speak up for her anymore. Aurora looked at Megan’s helpless face, secretly amused. Leaning close, she whispered, “Alright, just don’t eavesdrop next time. I’ll make it up to you and cover a month’s allowance.”

Megan’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Seeing Aurora nod, Megan hugged her in delight. “Aurora, I knew you were still the best to me. I really misunderstood you before.”

Lucas stood nearby, watching without a word. This had only been about teaching Megan a lesson. Now that the point was made, there was no need to take it further.

Soon, the studio’s renovations were completed. The agreed-upon opening day arrived. On the eve of the ribbon-cutting, Aurora felt uncharacteristically nervous. She tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, and Lucas quickly noticed.

He stretched out his long arm and pulled her into his embrace. “What’s wrong? Can’t fall asleep?”

Aurora suddenly felt guilty. “Did I wake you?”

“No. I couldn’t sleep either.”

Hearing this, Aurora finally relaxed a little. Nestled in his arms, she whispered, “I really am a little worried about tomorrow. It’s my first time facing such a big occasion or rather, my first time owning a company of my own. I’m nervous, but at the same time, I’m so excited.”

Lucas listened to her rambling and nodded. “Mm, I understand.”

Aurora kept talking. “But honestly, what I feel most is happiness. After all, I’m finally free of other people’s control. I have my own company now, and just the thought of it feels wonderful.”

Lucas didn’t argue with her words. He simply responded now and then, his calm answers flowing like water, and that steady rhythm gave Aurora a deep sense of peace.