With his bruised and swollen face, Joseph looked even more ridiculous standing next to them, like a clown who had stumbled into the wrong show. And he knew it.

The realization hit him hard as he clenched his fists, eyes fixed on how perfectly Aurora and Lucas stood together.

Out of nowhere, jealousy surged through him.

“Aurora, you dumped me for some pretty-faced nobody? He doesn’t have a shred of background!”

He jabbed a finger at him. “Don’t forget, I have Hunt Enterprises behind me. What does he have? One day, you’re going to regret this!”

He looked almost manic, flailing and shouting as if threats could undo everything.

But Aurora didn’t flinch.

Her eyes locked on his raised hand, her voice sharp and cold. “Who are you pointing at? This was my choice. Show some respect. And stop waving Hunt Enterprises around like it makes you someone. Without it, you are nothing.”

“Even without Hunt Enterprises, I’m still better than that nobody next to you! He’s nothing!”

Joseph’s voice was full of self-assured arrogance, his gaze dripping with mockery, like she’d thrown away some priceless treasure.

Aurora found it laughable.

She leaned against Lucas, wrapping her arm around his, and said, loud and clear, “Let me say it again–the one thing I regret most in life is ever being with you.”

She felt Lucas stiffen beside her at those words.

But she didn’t stop. She kept her gaze fixed on Joseph.

“Being with you was the most humiliating period of my life.”

“What are you talking about?” Joseph refused to believe what he was hearing. “You don’t mean that. You’re just angry, right? Aurora, you used to love me. You made me soup. You packed my bags when I traveled. When I was sick, you stayed by my side. You…”

“Enough!” Lucas’ voice cut through the air like a blade.

His eyes were icy cold, like he was looking at a corpse.

“If you were even half a man, you wouldn’t be airing everything she did for you in front of a crowd just to win pity.”

The crowd, once entertained and eager for drama, quieted down, their expressions sobering.

“Wow… never expected Miss Aurora to have been such a romantic,” someone whispered.

“This Joseph really has no luck–imagine having such a stunning woman by your side and still managing to mess it up.”

“Right? If a beauty like that was making soup for me, I’d be grinning in my sleep.”

“No one’s gonna mention how desperate Aurora must’ve been, throwing herself at him like that?”

With so many people present, the comments flew in every direction.

But after what Joseph said, it was clear to everyone that Aurora had been the one who gave more in that relationship.

And now she stood there claiming regret?

To some, it felt a little too performative.

Joseph met Lucas’ eyes and couldn’t help but flinch.

Then he silently cursed himself for being so spineless.

What’s there to be afraid of?

He was just a pretty face–how dangerous could he be? It was all just for show anyway.

“What are you looking at?” Joseph sneered, defiant.

“I’ll say whatever I damn well please. These are memories Aurora and I shared–what, you jealous?”

He gave Lucas a taunting look, like he was saying, “You might have her now, but her heart still belongs to me.”

It made Aurora laugh out loud.

She’d always known Joseph could be shameless, but she hadn’t realized he could sink this low.

Lucas was just about to step forward when Aurora raised a hand to stop him.

“Let me handle trash like him.”