Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Aurora spotted Julian as well. Beside him stood Mira and two others, one of whom looked like an assistant. Before Julian could greet them, the two strangers noticed Gore and approached him warmly.

"Hello," they said.

"Hi," Gore replied.

"Your girlfriend is so beautiful," one of the foreigners complimented.

The moment Julian heard the word "girlfriend," his expression darkened further. "Sorry, she is my girl!" he said coldly.

Everyone was a bit confused. Both sides seemed to know each other, and the woman standing next to Gore turned out to be Julian's girlfriend? The world truly was full of surprises.

The atmosphere grew awkward for a moment, but Aurora remained calm and collected. She stepped forward to greet them without the slightest sign of discomfort. "Since we're all friends, why don't we have lunch together?" Mira suggested.

The group agreed, except for Gore, who was visibly displeased. He had taken an early flight to get there, not to watch Aurora and Julian flaunt their affection.

Julian and Gore had crossed paths before, but neither had expected to meet again under these circumstances.

Julian immediately placed his arm around Aurora's waist, positioning himself between her and Gore. He had thought keeping her close in Clothville would ensure her safety, but now, the woman who had been nestled in his embrace that morning was suddenly standing beside another man.

Julian wasn't sure if he had underestimated Aurora's charm or overestimated his own capabilities. Either way, it tired him. Aurora's knack for attracting attention left him helpless.

Though he reminded himself that Aurora and Gore were likely just work associates- given her position as a DO-he couldn't suppress his displeasure.

When they sat down for lunch, Julian instinctively chose the seat to Aurora's left, while Gore, unbothered, seated himself on her right.

"Mr. Barnet, I hope you don't mindsitting here?" Gore said after already taking his seat.

Julian couldn't very well ask him to move with others around, so he replied icily, "It's fine." "I take back what I said earlier-your man isn't generous at all," Gore murmured teasingly into Aurora's ear. Aurora could feel Julian's temper rising. Gore enjoyed stirring the pot-he had done it with Asher in the past, and now Julian was his new target.

Before Julian could explode, Aurora reached out to gently tug on his hand, soothing her jealous man. Since they had company, the conversation stayed light, with everyone chatting about various topics.

Gore, ever the talkative one, carried the conversation easily. Julian, though equally knowledgeable, was naturally reserved and rarely wasted words. When he did speak, his words were precise and impactful.

But with Aurora beside him, he had no interest in engaging the group. Instead, he focused entirely on her, serving her food.

When the soup arrived, Julian ladled a bowl for Aurora and set it aside to cool before offering it to her. He also picked out her favorite dishes, meticulously peeling shrimp for her with his own hands.

It was no exaggeration to say he was serving her. At home, he took it even further-if he could chew the food for her, he probably would. His devotion to Aurora was complete and unwavering.

At first, Aurora had found it overwhelming, but over time, she grew accustomed to his care. Now, it felt natural to her, as this was simply how they interacted. It wasn't an act, but their genuine dynamic.

Mira, who knew how much Aurora meant to Julian, couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. This iron-fisted CEO, feared by his rivals, was now so gentle and attentive to a single woman.

Gore, who fancied himself a ladies' man, prided himself on being charming and gentlemanly. He had always believed that his attentions made women fall head over heels for him.

But watching Julian's behavior toward Aurora, Gore finally understood why she had chosen Julian and rejected him in the past.

Julian's warmth was reserved exclusively for Aurora. In contrast, Gore's affections were fleeting-he enjoyed the chase but often lost interest once the woman was his.

Aurora was different. She had been one of the few women Gore couldn't win over, and now he understood why. She was fiercely independent, and even after accepting Julian's love, she hadn't lost her individuality.

Aurora loved Julian, but she didn't depend on him. She remained true to herself, and it was precisely this quality that made her more precious and cherished.

Julian, for his part, gave her the freedom to spread her wings, a lesson Gore only understood now, at thirty years old.

Despite the lively conversation, everyone could sense an unspoken connection between Aurora and Julian, one that set them apart from the rest. They seemed to inhabit a world of their own, leaving others reluctant to interrupt.

Aurora quietly ate her meal, occasionally offering a dish to Julian.

If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Lunch ended in a swirl of unspoken thoughts and subtle tensions. In the afternoon, Julian had other plans, but his gaze never left Gore, as if warning him to stay away from Aurora. Gore sighed. "I'm her boss and her friend, Mr. Barnet. Surely you won't interfere with her meeting her friends?"

"Of course not," Julian replied coolly.

"I'm just concerned about your reputation.

tion.

om Too much gossip might drag my Little Bunny into the headlines, and that wouldn't be pleasant."

"Julian, don't worry," Aurora interjected, tugging on his hand as if to pacify him, "CorelandI haven't seen each other in a while, and we need to discuss the new product launch for the next quarter." "Fine," Julian relented, his stern demeanor softening under her gentle touch. "Just make sure you chtonight." "I will," Aurora promised. "Now go, they're waiting for you." She gestured toward the car parked nearby. Julian didn't move. "Aren't you forgetting something?" Aurora looked at him, exasperated, but relented. Rising on her tiptoes, she kissed him lightly on the cheek.

But Julian wasn't satisfied. He pulled her into his arms, pressing his lips firmly against hers, ignoring Gore's presence entirely.

When he finally let her go, her cheeks were flushed. "Callif anything comes up," he said.

"I will," she replied softly.

Only when he saw her shy face did Julian finally leave, satisfied.

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