Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

"Ding-" The elevator doors opened. The receptionist led Mira to Aurora's office door and knocked politely. "Miss Montgomery, Miss Mira is here." "Cin," Aurora's voice cfrom inside.

"Miss Mira, please go ahead." Mira entered Aurora's office to find someone seated behind a computer, seemingly engrossed in painting. "Miss Montgomery, how refined. Even at work, you find tto cultivate your artistic interests," Mira remarked with a hint of sarcasm.

Aurora ignored the jab. She had never been one to let others dictate her actions. Finishing the last touch of color on her canvas, she put down her brush.

"Miss Mira, forgivefor not welcoming you sooner," Aurora said, standing up and picking up a damp cloth to wipe the red paint that had accidentally smudged her hand.

Mira walked towards Aurora. "What are you painting, Miss Montgomery? I studied art back in the day. Why not lettake a look and offer my critique?" Mira was genuinely curious. Having already regarded Aurora as a rival, she sought to compare herself to Aurora in every way. Even Aurora's painting skills were something she wanted to evaluate.

However, Aurora had no intention of showing her work. This particular piece was a special one-created exclusively for Candy, a one-of-a-kind design that would not be part of any commercial project.

For a designer, sketches were precious. Many had encountered problems when their designs leaked before official release, causing unnecessary trouble.

As Mira approached, Aurora calmly took a blank sheet of paper and covered her sketch. "It's a trade secret, I'm afraid I can't share it." Mira felt a twinge of irritation at being refused. "Miss Montgomery, I heard you're also involved in fashion design. Is this a draft for a new collection? I heard Julian brought in the best design team from New York just for you.

Does this mean even top-tier designers can't meet your standards, and you have to draw your own designs? You truly are a designer misplaced in the business world, Miss Montgomery." Mira's words were laced with insinuation. Aurora felt her patience wearing thin. She had not sought trouble with Mira, yet this woman had shown up at her office seemingly just to mock her.

Julian? How familiar was Mira with him? If Aurora didn't trust Julian implicitly, Mira's words might have made her suspicious.

This woman had already tried testing her boundaries in Paris. Now she was at it again. Although Aurora knew Julian had no relationship with Mira, she couldn't help but feel annoyed at how casually Mira addressed him.

"Miss Mira, traveling all the way from Paris, surely you didn't chere just to hurl insults at me? If you're in the mood, I can have someone make you a cup of coffee to soothe your throat." Mira studied Aurora carefully. She had assumed someone so young would be immature, but Aurora remained unbothered, her expression calm in the face of insult.

"Of course not," Mira finally said. "I chere for something important. I was about to say so earlier, but when I saw you painting, it slipped my mind." "If you're here for business, have a seat, Miss Mira." Aurora had a feeling this woman wasn't here with good intentions. She decided to hear her out first.

Aurora called her secretary to prepare coffee, then returned to her seat. "Please, go ahead, Miss Mira." "Very well. I'm not one for beating around the bush, so I'll get straight to the point. Earlier, Julian and I traveled to Paris for a major collaboration." "I'm aware." Aurora typically didn't involve herself in Julian's work. During their ttogether, they rarely discussed business matters.

That was why Julian's abrupt departure had surprised her back then. He had left without warning.

"Just a few days ago, he abandoned everything to return to you, even declaring that I should find a new partner," Mira said, her irritation evident.

That man was insane. They had been so close to success, yet he had given it all up.

"I know," Aurora replied, already having heard bits and pieces about the situation from Julian. His explanation, however, had been far from complete.

"Do you even realize how big this project was? Hundreds of millions! This was a critical step for him to break into Europe's heavy industry market. It was just the beginning, yet he ruined it all because of you." Aurora had known it was a significant project but had never imagined such a staggering figure. And to think it was only the starting point.

If Julian had been able to secure a foothold, the future potential was beyond imagination. Aurora already knew he had given up a lot for her, but this was far more than she had ever envisioned.

"I'm sorry. There were reasons for what happened," Aurora said, unwilling to explain herself further to a stranger. "Aurora, do you know how jealous I am of you? Other than being a bit more capable than the average woman, what else do you have? What makes you worth his unwavering devotion? What could possibly make him sacrifice so much for you?" "You'd have to ask him that. I'd like to know the answer myself," Aurora replied honestly. She had asked herself that question countless times. What was so special about her? Why did Julian treat her so well? Did she even deserve his kindness? At times, his meticulous care made Aurora feel undeserving. She had seen plenty of unfaithful men but had never encountered anyone like Julian.

A man like him, she thought, was one in a million. It was as though fate had smiled on her, granting her the fortune of meeting him.

What had she done in her past life to deserve someone like Julian in this one? Aurora's candid response only sounded like deliberate flaunting to Mira, whose expression darkened further.

"Let him deal with the mess he left behind. I will never change partners," Mira said coldly.

"Then you'll have to take it up with him. This is my company, not his,' Aurora said with a skrug. Although her words were dismissive, she knew Mira hadn't mistakenly cto the wrong place.

"If I could find him, do you think I'd be here? These past two days, I went to his house, but he refused to see me. I Ne went to his office this morning, and he wasn't there either. He's even blocked my calls," Mira said through gritted teeth. I

No matter where she went, Mira was always the center ofattention-admired for her beauty, wealth, and background. Men of high status relentlessly pursued her. Yet the one man she had set her sights on wouldn't even spare her a glance. Worse, he treated her like the plague.

She had cto offer him money, yet this so-called profit-driven businessman had shown no interest.

If Julian wasn't ambitious or opportunistic, how had he reached his current position? If he had been born in ancient times, Mira thought bitterly, he would undoubtedly have been a foolish king, one who loved beauty more than his kingdom.

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