Chapter 16
That evening, Megan invited Aurora out for some shopping, helping her pick a gown for Vanguard Group’s event the next day.
By chance, they ran into Judy and Joseph.
Judy glanced at Aurora with a soft smile. “You’re in quite the good mood, Miss Walton. Even after getting fired, you still have the energy for a shopping spree.”
Beside her, Megan’s face turned pale.
What the hell?
The Walton matriarch’s younger daughter fired from Walton Corporation?
Aurora narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze shifting to Joseph as she spoke in a calm tone.
“This was your doing?”
“You should know your place,” Joseph said with disgust. “Aurora, I never wanted to make things difficult for you, but you just couldn’t stop clinging to me.”
As Aurora’s best friend, Megan knew all too well the absurdity of Joseph's claim. She rolled her eyes. “Are you out of your mind? You think Aurora is desperate for you? Get over yourself. You are a spoiled piece of leftovers no one wants, yet you think Aurora is…”
“Oh really?” Joseph let out a cold laugh. “Running into me at the restaurant wasn’t a coincidence. Then you just had to cause a scene in front of everyone, and if that wasn’t enough, you insisted on working at Walton Corporation just to get my attention. Aurora, you’re pathetic. Desperate and pathetic…”
Before he could finish, Aurora kicked him to the ground without hesitation.
She crouched down and landed a punch, then another, until Joseph finally let out a pained scream.
Aurora grabbed his collar, smirking. “I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time.”
Megan grinned. “Looks like you haven’t slacked off on your training.”
Aurora had spent so much time pretending to be a good girl that she almost forgot she was trained in kickboxing and taekwondo. If someone pissed her off, she’d fight back. That was who she was.
Joseph staggered to his feet, his face battered and bruised, his eyes burning with rage.
“Aurora Walton–”
Just as he raised his hand to strike her, a firm grip locked around his wrist.
Lucas appeared out of nowhere, effortlessly restraining him. But his gaze wasn’t on Joseph–it was on Aurora.
“Just now…”
Aurora met his eyes and suddenly felt a bit self-conscious about her combat skills.
However, Lucas chuckled softly, raising a brow. “Did you hurt your hand?”
Heat crept up her face.
Beside her, Megan shot her a teasing wink, looking as if she just witnessed the ultimate romance.
Joseph’s expression shifted instantly, twisting with mockery. “No wonder you can still afford a gown after getting fired from Walton Corporation. So, you found yourself another man to rely on.”
Lucas lazily glanced at him, absently tracing the diamond ring on his finger.
“Joseph Hunt, heir to Hunt Enterprises…” he murmured, his tone slow and indifferent. “So, this is the kind of man you are?”
There was an unmistakable air of dismissal in his voice, as if he were assessing someone utterly insignificant.
Joseph bristled at the slight, anger flashing in his eyes. But Lucas‘ presence was overwhelming, making it impossible to gauge his standing.
Unable to suppress his irritation, Joseph let out a cold laugh. “Aurora, don’t think I can’t see through you. You did everything just to get my attention. Now that you’ve been kicked out of Walton Corporation, do you really think this man will take care of you forever?”
With that, he turned and left with Judy.
Aurora was in a much better mood. Getting the chance to beat up Joseph had vented most of her frustration.
Suddenly, Lucas, who had been watching her closely, spoke.
“I will.”
Aurora paused, momentarily caught off guard. Then, she saw the faint glimmer of amusement in his deep-set eyes.
“Mrs. Carter, if you’re willing, I can take care of you for a lifetime."
Beside them, Megan waggled her brows mischievously.
Aurora arched a brow, a hint of a smirk playing at her lips. The ever-distant, unattainable Lucas Carter turned out to be the boldest of them all.
Their shopping trip ended with Aurora finally settling on a gown. That night, the two of them returned home together.
While Lucas was in the shower, Aurora was on the phone with Megan.
“So, babe, have you and my cousin done it yet? Length, depth, stamina–how is he in bed?” Megan asked, her voice full of mischief.
Aurora choked on her drink, nearly spitting it out. “Excuse me, single girls are not allowed to pry into adult matters.”
Even with her thick skin, she wasn’t about to discuss the details of sleeping with her best friend’s cousin.
Just then, Megan sent over a video.
“This is my best-kept secret, the ultimate treasure. Babe, a gem like my cousin is one of a kind. Don’t let this slip–lock him down!”
Aurora raised a brow, unsure of what Megan was up to. The moment she tapped on the video, a sultry moan filled the air.
And, of course, that was the exact moment the bathroom door swung open.
Lucas stood at the doorway, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. His toned body was on full display–broad shoulders, sculpted abs, and water droplets still clinging to his skin, sliding down his waist.
He looked dangerously tempting.
And, as if fate was out to get her, the video was still playing loudly.
Aurora clenched her teeth, silently cursing Megan for her lack of common sense. She frantically fumbled to shut it off.
But Lucas was already closing in.
“You sound better than she does.”
He trapped her against the sofa, his lips curving into a slow, lazy smile.
“And for the record, my apologies–I had no idea that you, Mrs. Carter, had such… specific needs.”