"I just can't bear to part with you."
Avery tenderly clung to Connor's arm, the butterfly-shaped red birthmark on her snow-white skin becoming more pronounced.
A nameless irritation welled up inside Connor. He glanced at Avery, "You don't seem well. Perhaps you should rest."
"But…" Avery's eyes widened in surprise, "Didn't we agree to announce our engagement?"
Connor thought of Sir King's stubborn stance and felt a headache coming on. He didn't know what Aurora had said to his grandfather to make him so determined to accept only this granddaughter-in-law.
He said firmly, "I'll talk to Grandpa. You can rest."
Knowing he wouldn't change his mind, Avery reluctantly followed the waiter out. Before leaving, she shot Aurora a venomous glance.
She couldn't just sit back and do nothing.
She found a secluded corner and made a discreet phone call.
Due to John's high-profile appearance, everyone assumed
Aurora was his companion. Her previous entrance with Mason was dismissed as a misunderstanding.
Other than some sour comments about the Baker family's daughter, who could still catch the attention of the John's family after leaving the Kings, no one questioned Aurora's identity.
Aurora discreetly messaged Mason to replace her in presenting the gift from the Stellar Group and then played along as John's partner.
John was delighted with the arrangement.
People were astonished to see Mr. John, who had always disdained socializing, enthusiastically moving through the crowd with his companion, even "accidentally" letting slip news of his engagement.
Aurora, unable to bear it any longer, pinched him hard at his waist, quenching his enthusiasm.
Connor's anger grew, and Adam mentally elevated Aurora's status even higher.
Only when the banquet was over did Connor confront John, who was preparing to leave with Aurora.
"What does Mr. King want with my fiancée?" John asked and his smile was not quite reaching his eyes.
As John had always been a little rogue and Connor was very disciplined, the two were at opposite extremes and rarely interacted.
Considering their equal status, John was not at all intimidated by Connor, and a sense of rivalry was evident.
Connor ignored John's hostility and simply said to Aurora, "We need to talk."
Aurora pushed John aside and replied calmly, "There's nothing to discuss between us, Mr. King. The person you're waiting for is over there."
She looked pointedly at Avery.
Avery stood nearby, red-eyed, clutching her stomach, looking like a forsaken wife.
This sight seemed both ironic and amusing to Aurora.
Connor said indifferently, "Come here, Aurora."
His imposing manner and oppressive gaze might have forced a lesser person to comply.
But not Aurora or John.
"What do you think you're doing?" John stepped between them, his eyes blazing with anger.
How could Connor appear so arrogantly before Aurora and issue orders
after the way he had hurt her?
Just as a fight seemed imminent, Aurora pulled John back.
After shooting him an angry glance, she said softly to John, "Today is Sir King's birthday. Let's not make a scene."
As the tension between them grew, many eyes turned their way. Aurora didn't want her first appearance back home to be marred by a spectacle.
"We indeed have nothing to talk about." She lifted a glass of champagne and toasted Connor. "Mr. King, congratulations on your expectant wife and the joy of a new child."
"I don't like the way you talk to me," Connor said coldly, disliking this new, spiky version of Aurora, who used to put him first in everything.
Aurora smiled, "But I like it. If you can't adapt, Mr. King, you can leave."
"Aurora Baker," Connor suddenly grabbed her wrist, his dark eyes turbulent, "Don't challenge my limits."
Aurora struggled a moment, realizing she couldn't break free, she gave up, "So this is where you draw the line, Mr. King? Your threshold must be really low."
With a strong tug, Connor pulled her directly into his arms and started heading toward the garage.
"Connor King! What are you doing?"
John hadn't expected Connor to pull something like this, he angrily yelled and started to pursue them. But King's bodyguards seemed to come out of nowhere, blocking his way.
"Let go of me!"
The sudden turn of events shocked Aurora. She lashed out at Connor, fists, and feet flying, demanding that he release her.
But no matter how she protested, Connor's face remained calm, leading her to his car and pushing her inside.
The door locked behind her, and Aurora couldn't get out.
She looked at him, her eyes cold and sarcastic, "It's been a few years, and I never thought I'd see Mr. King become a robber."
Connor ignored her, simply starting the car and leaving the mansion.
Seeing that he was unaffected by her words, Aurora, frustrated, turned to look out the window, not wanting to waste her breath on him any longer.
It was then that Connor glanced over at Aurora.
Perhaps his actions had been a bit too rough, her skirt was a little disheveled, revealing smooth, delicate skin.
Comparing the present Aurora to the one from four years ago, always with a hint of worry and melancholy, he couldn't deny that she was now as vibrant as a rose, her features even more refined.
Even though Connor was reluctant to admit it, he had to say, Aurora had done very well since leaving him.
He pressed his lips together, refocusing on the road.
Once they arrived at the villa where they had once lived together, Connor opened the car door and reached out to help Aurora.
Without hesitation, she slapped his hand away, "Mr. King, spare me your pretense. I dare not hold the hand of a kidnapper."
Maybe she didn't even notice herself, but in front of Connor, she always seemed a bit sharper than usual.
She stepped out of the car and looked at the familiar villa, her eyes devoid of emotion.
Even though she had lived here for three years, Aurora had to admit that the place had never brought her a day of joy, only endless pain.
"Go in."
Connor said in a deep voice.
Aurora glanced back at the Aston Martin parked behind her, contemplating the possibility of seizing the keys from Connor and escaping. In the end, she gave up.
Even after four years, the villa's decor hadn't changed much as if time had never passed here.
A hint of sarcasm flashed in Aurora's eyes, "Mr. King, did you ruin your reputation to bring me here just for a tour of the villa?"
Seeing her so defiant, Connor's expression cooled.
"Where have you been in the past four years?"
Aurora had vanished without a trace back then, a fact that remained a mystery.
"Abroad, You didn't find out, Mr. King?" Aurora sat on the sofa; her tone relaxed.
Actually, she had planned to go Abroad but met people from the Grim family who were looking for someone. They took her to the Grim Family Headquarters in helping her hide her tracks.
Having spent a few years with the Grims, Aurora had changed completely and even inherited substantial wealth.
As she had said earlier, Connor wouldn't find it so easy to get to hervanymore.
Connor looked at Aurora for a moment, then suddenly said, "John's family is not suitable for you. Leave John."
As he spoke, he took out his checkbook and began to write, "How much money do you need? I'll give it to you."