Chapter 224

She remembered Lucas once mentioning that his company mainly dealt with advertising. Now, watching Aurora press for answers, Lucas found himself at a loss for words. He could only press his lips into a thin line, his expression turning distant.

“I’m just here for business. If you don’t want to believe that, there’s nothing I can do.”

His words left Aurora momentarily stunned. He wasn’t like this before. Since when did he become so cold? What she didn’t know was that Lucas simply didn’t know what to say. Running into Aurora at his own company while still trying to keep up the lie left him feeling uneasy. The guilt crept in fast, especially under her sharp, questioning gaze; he grew even more unsure of himself. The more he said, the more he risked exposing something, and he couldn’t afford that.

Aurora frowned, suppressing her growing frustration. “But I remember you saying your company doesn’t work much with Vanguard. So, showing up here today…” She didn’t finish the sentence. She simply looked at him, her eyes bright and piercing.

Lucas gave a short reply. “Just business, that’s all. That’s why I’m here.”

Faced with this version of Lucas, Aurora didn’t know what else to say. Just days ago, he was nothing like this—teasing her, holding her close. Clearly, a man’s words weren’t to be trusted. She lowered her gaze, her voice softening slightly. “Alright. Got it.”

Then she returned to Kelvin’s side, no longer pressing Lucas for answers. With the way he was acting, she had no desire to continue the conversation. All she wanted now was to finish the meeting and get out of Vanguard as quickly as possible.

Desmond could already tell something was off with Aurora, but Lucas remained expressionless, as if nothing concerned him. What no one knew was that he had his own reasons—things he couldn’t say.

In the end, Lucas swallowed the storm rising in his chest. He had no intention of staying any longer. He walked over to Aurora. “Weren’t you here for business?”

“Yeah. That’s my business,” she replied, mirroring the same cold tone he’d used on her moments ago. If he could be like that, why couldn’t she?

Lucas, seeing her reaction, didn’t press further. After all, they were in Vanguard’s headquarters. Too many eyes were watching, and he was worried about her safety.

“Alright. Go handle your meeting.”

Chapter 224

With that, Lucas turned and walked away without hesitation. Aurora watched his retreating back, a wave of bitterness washing over her. She couldn’t help but wonder—was he regretting it now? Regretting their marriage? Regretting that it kept him from being with his so-called true love?

Her mind drifted back to that day not long ago, the two of them alone in a room, the quiet understanding between them. In that moment, they’d been so in sync. But from the outside looking in, she had seemed like the intruder, an outsider disrupting something that never truly included her. Of course, none of that was something Aurora could ever bring herself to say aloud. She could only blame herself—for believing in a man over and over again. If she lost the gamble, then so be it. She still had her career. She still had the courage to start over.

When Aurora lifted her head again, the redness at the corners of her eyes had completely vanished.

Kelvin looked at her with concern. “Miss Walton, are you alright? You seem a little off. Is everything okay?”

Hearing that, Aurora’s heart gave a slight jolt. Since when had Lucas become someone who could affect her mood? She had warned herself from the very beginning it was all just an act. She must never take a man’s words at face value.