Besides, they were all adults—was their ability to handle setbacks really that weak?

Lucas shared the test results from earlier with Aurora.

“The hospital confirmed that Tessa’s neck was indeed injured, and her vocal cords were also partially damaged. It’ll take some time for a full recovery.”

Aurora felt a wave of emotion stir in her chest.

It seemed Julian had truly gone for the kill when he strangled Tessa.

He hadn’t held back at all, which meant things between them had completely broken down.

“It got that ugly?”

Lucas nodded. “Yes. So, I’d say their engagement is pretty much over.”

For some reason, Aurora couldn’t quite describe how she felt at that moment.

After all, she had always known the Hayes family was a wolf’s den.

Tessa marrying into it was like jumping into a fire pit.

That outcome wasn’t surprising at all.

But at the beginning, Tessa had seemed to know what kind of place it was, but she’d acted like she didn’t care, as if she was completely confident she could control the Hayes family.

So, what changed?

What made her give up and choose mutual destruction?

A flash of insight crossed Aurora’s mind, and she and Lucas spoke in unison: “The vial.”

In the darkness, the two of them looked at each other under the moonlight.

Aurora could clearly see the look in Lucas’ eyes.

And Lucas could easily sense the excitement in hers.

At that moment, their thoughts aligned perfectly, like they were moving at the exact same frequency.

Aurora sat up straight, her tone a little agitated as she added, “So Tessa and Julian were working together.

“But for her to give up the Hayes family like that and go all in, it must mean Julian had some kind of evidence in his hands. That’s why Tessa snapped, right?”

Lucas sat up too, meeting Aurora’s expectant gaze, then nodded.

“You’re absolutely right.”

A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he said steadily, “In that case, we need to start with Tessa.”

“When two people work together, it’s impossible to erase all traces perfectly.”

“Exactly!”

Aurora threw her arms around him excitedly.

Lucas froze for a second, then quickly returned the hug.

Her voice trembled with emotion. “Lucas, this time, we can’t lose. I spent a whole month lying here. There has to be justice.

They need to pay for what they’ve done.”

Lucas didn’t say a word. He just silently held her close.

His arms gradually tightened around her.

He knew that these past few weeks, they had suffered far too much.

And those two who started it all—there was no way he’d let them get away with it.

If it weren’t for needing to give Grace an explanation, he could’ve made them vanish in Millford without a trace.

But that would’ve been too easy for them.

He wanted them ruined, utterly disgraced.

If they cared so much about their pride, then he’d tear apart everything they valued, piece by piece.

And Aurora was thinking exactly the same.