Chapter 61

Chuck immediately laughed. “You mean…”

Joseph lifted his chin, narrowing his eyes like a cold, venomous snake. “You don’t need me to teach you what to do, do you?”

“Got it,” Chuck nodded.

After finalizing their plan, Joseph sent Chuck away. Right now, his top priority was securing the Vanguard Group project. Even if he didn’t want to admit it, he had to face reality. His biggest competitor now was Walton Corporation. He needed to find out what proposal Walton Corporation had prepared.

Ring, ring, ring!

Joseph picked up his phone. A friend was calling, offering to introduce him to the second daughter of the Walton family’s matriarch.

“Aren’t you trying to win the Vanguard Group project? I heard she’s involved. She’s a hopeless romantic, and you’re a master at the game. Getting her to fall for you should be easy, right?”

“Alright, I won’t forget your share once it’s done.”

“But you better prepare a gift women like, Joseph.”

“Heh, of course.”

Joseph glanced at the diamond bracelet he had just bought. Originally, it was meant for Judy, but now he changed his mind. He’d use it to charm the Walton family matriarch’s younger heiress first. Once he secured the Vanguard Group project, he could finally tell his family he wanted to marry Judy.

At Lucas‘ insistence, Aurora stayed home to rest for a day. After all, she didn’t have much to do at the moment, just waiting for the results from Vanguard Group. She believed that with her hard work and Lucas‘ guidance, the chances of success were at least eighty percent.

Later in the evening, Megan called, inviting her to a party. Aurora wasn’t keen on going, but Megan kept pestering her, saying that ever since she returned to Ravenshore, she had barely made an appearance. She said many people in their circle had already forgotten about her, and the new faces didn’t even know who she was. In business, connections were everything. Aurora finally agreed.

Remembering that she had almost caught a cold, she opted for a warmer outfit: a dark brown turtleneck sweater paired with deep blue jeans. Her long, jet-black curls cascaded down her shoulders naturally. Even without makeup, her delicate features remained strikingly bold and radiant. Still, she applied a bit of lip balm.

Upon arriving at the venue, Aurora waited for Megan at the entrance. Unfortunately, she ran into Joseph first.

Joseph recognized her at a glance—her outfit tonight was similar to her usual style, but her face no longer carried the obedient charm it once had. Instead, she exuded confidence and brilliance, especially her gaze—sharp as a blade.

“Heh, ever since I came to Ravenshore, I keep running into you. Is this really just a coincidence? I don’t buy it.”

Aurora figured she must have forgotten to check her horoscope before stepping out; otherwise, how else would she end up running into this self-important jerk again?

She scoffed. “Simple. You can leave Ravenshore. After all, I belong here, and you’re just a guest.”

Joseph let out a derisive laugh, sizing her up from head to toe. Even without makeup, she was effortlessly alluring. His smirk deepened. “Who do you think you are? Some bumpkin from the countryside? Just because you latched onto a rich guy, you think you can play the part? You can dress up a crow in silk, but it’ll never be a swan! Since when did someone like you get to call the shots in Ravenshore?”

“Joseph Hunt, watch your mouth.” Aurora’s gaze turned icy.

Joseph scrutinized her, his stare as cold and menacing as something that had crawled out of the mud. “Watch my mouth? And who exactly do you think you are? Only the second daughter of the Walton family’s matriarch might barely have the right to say that.”

He chuckled, noticing her expression shift slightly before continuing, “Oh, by the way, one of my friends in the circle introduced me to her. I’ll be her man soon enough. A true socialite like her is the only one worthy of me. As for you, you’re just a country nobody. Even if you begged me to take you back, it would never happen!”