"I think you’re right," Lucas said with a faint smile. "And as it happens, I’ve got something you might find interesting."

He handed her a folder.

Aurora took it, puzzled, and opened it. Inside were photos of Tessa with a man—pictures of them dining together, talking intimately, and even entering and leaving a hotel.

"Where did you get all this?" she asked, stunned.

She hadn’t expected Lucas to dig up something this private.

He tilted his chin slightly, proud. "It’s just two people. You really think I can’t find out what’s going on? If I couldn’t, I wouldn’t deserve my position at Vanguard."

Aurora couldn’t help smiling.

She leaned in and kissed him lightly. "This is incredible. These photos, and the audio recordings too, they’re exactly what I needed. You have no idea how much this helps me."

"And here I thought you didn’t need my help," Lucas said, feigning annoyance.

Aurora scratched her head sheepishly. "I just didn’t want to trouble you. Besides, I already had a good idea who it was, but now you’ve confirmed everything for me."

"So what’s your plan? Want me to step in?" Lucas offered again, his tone serious.

Watching her fight these battles alone always left him uneasy.

But as always, Aurora shook her head. "No, you’ve already done enough. With this evidence, I can handle the rest myself."

"I’m going to take this evidence straight to my mother," Aurora said, her voice calm but firm.

"After all, that’s her precious daughter—the one she’s always defended. I doubt she knows how far Tessa’s gone this time."

"These photos and the online posts are proof enough that she’s been involved with that man. The recordings even capture them plotting to manipulate posts on social media."

She continued, her tone steady, "With the recordings and these screenshots together, it’s clear as day that Tessa was behind the whole thing."

Lucas listened quietly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He couldn’t help feeling proud of how composed and sharp Aurora was.

"You really do know how to put things together," he said, wrapping an arm around her waist and brushing a soft kiss against her lips.

Aurora’s cheeks warmed. "It’s just experience. Besides, no one else has a reason to target me, only they do."

Lucas nodded. "Makes sense. Do you want me to come with you when you see your mother?"

Aurora shook her head. "No need. I haven’t forgotten what happened last time you came with me. It’s still fresh in my mind."

That night had been enough to prove her mother’s true intentions.

Aurora had seen right through it—Grace hadn’t been trying to reconcile; she’d been trying to use Lucas to secure more contracts for the Walton Corporation.

This time, Aurora didn’t intend to give her the chance.