ut down his teacup and shook his head with feigned regret. "He has the destiny

into the shadows behind her. Her slender fingers unconsciously stroked the hem

man? She couldn't figure it out. She decided she wo

terrupted, "Dad, are you talking about Mr. Winston from Nochen Group? Nochen was the biggest sponsor of the

close connection with Michael Winston, making her rel

milies would be more secure. Perhaps, if she played her cards right, she could even

surprise, "Oh? Ruby, you know Mr. Winston? That's great! Yo

, "That's right. Ruby is really young and promising, unlike so

y at Aurora, his words

since grown numb to these hypocritical praises and sharp ins

-she has the aura of a proper young lady. Now, look at *some* peopl

felt no

e faces of these people and was far too

, a noble

eh

saw was a woman brimming

h emotionally, "Ever since Ruby came, our family has been getting better and be

ly at Aurora. "I think you're the same

rled slightly, her

lucky

lonely star than assoc

live off the family! Look at Ruby. She's successful in her career at such a young age and c

hiding the pain that fl

words, but Ethan's cutting remarks pier

as that they had never cared enough to a

s, calligraphy, painting, medicine, and martial arts. Yet, in the eyes of

f people. Look at yourself-you don't carry the grace of a noble lady at all. On the other hand, Ruby

s heart

n't und

ways been the gentler one-bec

that worthless

ze drifted toward Viv

ys step in with a few soft words of comfort. But today, s

other going to

eart turne

vian had little influence in the family a

n s

she couldn't suppress the ach

ually wrapped an arm around Ruby's shoulder

ng." His voice was filled with admiration before he suddenly pau

the contempt in his gaze maki

n invisible hand had clenched around

*her* in that same affectionate tone,

ined unchanged-only the

tion in his eyes were n

had c

tion belonged t

By the way, Dad, I plan to take Ruby to meet Mr. Winst

out a bitte

lly unde

, Ryder had never lov

s her identity as the daug

the family, Ruby held mo

ls closed

was comple

n-only an endless numbness, as if all e

t, the long, insufferable conve

"Dad, Mom, Ethan, Lucas-it's rare that everyone is free

ou young people can go out and enjoy yourselves. Your

eement. "That's right. You and Ruby can go ha

at Ryder, his tone full

his usual calm and indifferent manner. "I ha

ide. "Alright then. Mom, Dad, Ethan,

ve embrace. She giggled softly, leaning into him as if they were the most affect

fingers curled tightly arou

eve that this was the same man who

l been an

eally tha

p, her face completely devoid of expression, and wit

ck turned, Robert

voice echoed through the room li

-step, but she di

thundered, his voice laced with disappointment and rage.

the fire. "That's right, Aurora! What was that d

s and said disapprovingly, "You have no sense of propriet

, her hands tightening

have expe

gs. They only wanted obedience. They wanted a puppet who wo

nsion, Vivian Wells

t firm. "Aurora isn't feeling well. Let

derstanding. Without saying another word, she placed a sof

room and rest,"

did not

he stepped inside, clos

ut she knew the conversation was still ongoing-accusat

since grown

t the door, Aurora ex

n't hea

o many times that she h

he tried to fight ba

a battlefield where the

ad no strength

d to the dresser in th

ingle, inconspi

der's name had been unfamiliar, and at

at whatever was written in that letter mi

ay

t long

truth she had

led slightly as s

d her nail under the seal,

ded on the first line,

s something you

ted your whole life... h