Chapter 177

Leonard spoke up at just the right moment. “That’s how she shows affection – by staring at someone she likes without blinking.”

Aurora’s smile widened.

With a casual wave, she ordered a few more desserts that kids usually loved.

Watching the two of them together, Leonard felt a warmth bloom in his chest, so full it nearly overflowed.

That afternoon, the three of them arrived at the biggest mall in the city – Grand Zen Mall.

They had a clear goal and headed straight for the clothing section on the third floor.

Faced with rows of colorful children’s clothes, Aurora felt a bit overwhelmed by all the choices.

Leonard, carrying little Nora in his arms, followed closely beside her.

“Aurora, should we head straight to the kids' section?”

“Yeah, just through the women’s section. The children’s clothes are right past it.”

The moment Leonard heard the words “women’s section,” his eyes lit up, and he quickly suggested, “Well, since we’re here this afternoon, do you want to take a look at some clothes for yourself?"

“I don’t think that’s necessary. I have more than enough clothes,” Aurora replied, feeling it wasn’t quite appropriate – today was about Nora, after all.

But Leonard didn’t agree. “I heard there’s a saying, you know there’s always one piece missing from a woman’s wardrobe.”

Aurora glanced at him and saw his smiling eyes focused intently on her as he spoke, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to say no.

“Aren’t we shopping for Nora today?”

Leonard gently bounced Nora in his arms. “It’s alright. Nora’s not in a hurry, right?”

Nora blinked once but said nothing.

Neither of them expected a reply from her anyway.

As long as she was healthy and happy, that was enough.

Unable to resist Leonard’s enthusiastic suggestion, Aurora eventually gave in, and the group detoured to browse women’s clothing first.

Still, she didn’t seem particularly excited – most of her clothes were sent directly by designers her mother had arranged.

She agreed to browse only to see if anything caught her eye design-wise.

“Let’s go.”

“Didn’t find anything you liked?” Leonard asked, puzzled when she didn’t pick out anything.

Aurora was about to nod when a surprised voice came from the side. “Oh? Aurora, what are you doing here?”

Both Aurora and Leonard turned toward the voice.

Leonard looked confused – he didn’t recognize either of the two girls.

But Aurora raised a brow slightly when she saw Wendy arm-in-arm with an unfamiliar woman, both staring at her in surprise.

She immediately sensed something was off.

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The way Wendy chose this moment to call out to her… didn’t feel right.

And what was this? Dropping the act and calling her so sweetly in public?

“Is there something you need?”

The woman beside Wendy, Rachel Watson, had on flawless makeup.

But the moment she saw Aurora’s understated look, so effortlessly elegant, she clenched her fists without realizing it.

“Wendy, is this the woman you were talking about?”

Wendy didn’t hesitate. “That’s her.”

Rachel circled around Aurora, giving her a once-over before speaking with a sneer, “She’s nothing special. I thought she’d be some stunning beauty."

Her tone said one thing, but the flicker of jealousy in her eyes didn’t escape Leonard’s notice.

Nora clung to Leonard’s neck the entire time, refusing to let go, especially once these two appeared; her grip only tightened.

Aurora let out a cold scoff, her gaze fixed on Wendy.

“Wendy, so you’ve been talking about me behind my back, haven’t you?”

She didn’t need to ask to know what kind of things Wendy had been saying behind her back.

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Wendy avoided her gaze, pretending not to understand what Aurora was saying.

“What are you talking about, Aurora? I don’t get what you mean.”

Aurora let out a cold scoff, saying nothing, just watching Wendy put on her little act.

Her performance was so clumsy that anyone with half a brain wouldn’t fall for it.

But of course, someone actually did.

Rachel jumped in without a second thought, standing protectively in front of Wendy.

She snapped at Aurora, “Don’t make things hard for Wendy. She can say whatever she wants. It’s none of your business.”

“You’re nothing more than Wendy’s shadow anyway.”

That line struck a nerve. Aurora’s fingers curled into a tight fist.

Even Leonard couldn’t help but glance at her.

Her face turned grim, eyes locked coldly on Wendy.

So, this was what Wendy had been spreading behind her back.

And now, with Lucas nowhere around, she didn’t even bother keeping up the act.

This was the good little childhood friend Lucas always talked about?

Wendy tugged at Rachel’s sleeve, trying to stop her. “That’s enough, Rachel. Don’t say any more.”

“This is a family matter. I don’t want to upset you. It’s not my place to talk about it.”

Rachel, however, clearly didn’t agree.

She jabbed a red-painted fingernail right at Aurora. “If it weren’t for this woman, how would she have gotten to the top? She’s just a tagalong, a stand-in for you."

“Rachel!” Wendy finally raised her voice.

But still, Wendy didn’t actually stop Rachel.

At the end of the day, it was all just empty words. No real action.

And the more Wendy let it slide, the more emboldened Rachel became, saying whatever she wanted without thinking.

“Did I say anything wrong?” Rachel declared self-righteously.

“If you want to put it nicely, she’s a latecomer. But to put it bluntly, she’s a thief – a homewrecker."

“And that man beside her – don’t you already have a family? Standing here with her now, what’s that supposed to mean? You’re nothing but a shameless woman!”

Even Leonard found it hard to listen any longer.

He was about to step forward and stop her, but Aurora reached out and stopped him.

Confused, he looked at her, trying to understand why.

This woman was clearly out of line – why hold back now?

This didn’t seem like Aurora at all.

Chapter 178