Chapter 21
“Tunderstand,” Elias replied quickly.
“If tomorrow weren’t my wedding day with Aurora, Naomi, you’d be in jail already. Next time, no one will be able to save you, Maverick said, his voice steady but dangerous, a dark fire in his gaze that promised no mercy.
A vision of his past life flashed in his mind, and he silently vowed that Naomi’s troubles were only beginning.
Naomi clenched her fists, her face flushed with anger and humiliation. She could feel the weight of Maverick’s threat, but she couldn’t understand why she was being put through this.
Maverick turned to Aurora, his voice low and wann. “Get a good night’s rest. I’ll see you at the wedding tomorrow”
“Alright.” Aurora replied with a small smile.
The
Sage family watched as Maverick left. Afterward, Aurora gave Naomi a dismissive glance before heading upstairs,
Elias glared at Naomi, pointing at her furiously. “Why, Naomi! Why go after Aurora like this? Where did I go wrong with your
“It’s not like that, Uncle Elias Aurora and Scott had feelings for years; they didn’t just vanish. I only wanted her to have no regrets. I didn’t mean any harm. Naomi insisted. “If she really marries Maverick, what about the rest of her life! What’s really best for her future?”
“But it was Maverick who saved her tonight,” Elias said, realizing Maverick might not be as cold–hearted as he’d feared,
If the Parker family wanted revenge, they wouldn’t have held back. Maybe Aurora marrying into the Parker family wasn’t a risk bus a real chance for her happiness.
so much to prepare for
“Naomi was just misguided, Elias. She meant well but went about it the wrong way. Let’s not dwell on it. Go rest. There’s so tomorrow.” Evelyn said, trying to calm him.
Elias’s anger softened a bit. “Fine. But if you ever hurt Aurora again, you’re out of this family” With that, he headed upstairs..
Meanwhile, back at Maverick’s villa on Cloud Island, he lounged on the sofa, eyes closed, shirt slightly open to reveal his toned chest. The soft light above highlighted the sharp line of his nose and his tense expression.
Benji Frid, his personal physician, finished his tests and let out a sigh of relief. “You’re still not fully recovered. Take it easy.”
“I’ll live,” Maverick said lazily, buttoning his stint as the pain in his chest subsided.
The moment Aurora wasn’t around, a strange emptiness took over. But whenshe was close, he felt an ache that ran deeper.
“That bullet is a constant threat. Howard, keep a close eye on him–make sure he doesn’t overdo it” Benji instructed
“Yes, Howard replied.
”
y calm, Mr. Parker, you should hold out
it until we can attempt surgery. Benji added.
“If things stay
Maverick’s survival was already a miracle. The bullet near his heart posed a massive risk. No one in the global medical community could perform such a surgery, there was no precedent.
Yet Maverick didn’t seem concerned. It was impossible to control him.
at the Sage family home, Elias, restless, decided to check on Aurora
Hack at
Aurora opened the door and smiled. “Come in, Dad, if you need to talk.”
Elias sat down on her bed. “Aurora, you’re getting married tomorrow, Let’s put tonight’s mess behind us. I know I haven’t always been there for you. so I’m giving you one of my subsidiary companies as a wedding gift.
to take over.”
p to you to
“Your grandfather will remain group chairman, but I’ll manage things for two more years. After that, it’ll be up to
“Dad, what are you talking about!” Aurora asked, nearly dropping her hairdryer as she came out of the shower with damp hair. Since her return, she ludn’t dared to imagine anything like this
Elias patted her hand warmly. “Don’t worry. I’m still in good health. I just want you to feel secure. The future of the family is yours, and your grandfather will tell you the same when he returns.
“If things don’t work out with Maverick, the Sage family assets will still be here to take care of y
Recent events had made him worry he might not be able to protect Aurora as much as he wanted,
Her future after marrying into the Parker family was uncertain, and Elias knew she had already given up so much for their family. She deserved
this security.
“Dad, I don’t need all that. I just want you and Grandpa to be safe, Aurora said, anxiously clutching his hand.
“This is your birthright.” Elias said gently.
The more he spoke, the more uneasy Aurora felt. In her past life, she’d been so selfish, piling pressure onto Elias. Even her grandfather had suffered a tragic end, leading to their family’s downfall.
This time, she was determined to protect her father, her grandfather, and the Sage family. She wouldn’t let them face any harm.
At that moment, neither of th
them noticed Evelyn listening at the door. A cold gleam flashed in her eyes as she turned and headed for Naomi’s room.
Naomi was still fuming over the day’s events, especially the humiliating slaps she’d endured.
Evelyn stormed in, yanking the blanket off Naomi. “That old fool and Elias are handing the company over to that bitch Aurora, and here you are, sleeping, huh?”
“Mom!” Naomi felt hurt.
“They’ve willed everything to that bitch and even gave her an extravagant wedding gift. Evelyn snapped. “Nothing for us. Once Aurora marries into the Parker family tomorrow, you’ll always be a step below her.
“All those years of effort–all of it was for you. I didn’t want you to be outshined by her. I was always second to her mother, and now, it’s your turn. Can’t you do something to make me proud!”
Naomi’s eyes finally sharpened as she grasped her mother’s fury. “Mom, what should we do! We can’t let her marry Maverick. If she does, we’ll be left with nothing”
“We have to stop her from going through with the wedding,” said Evelyn.
Naomi hesitated. “But what if the Parker family and Maverick get furious! What if they take it out on us!”
“Don’t worry, I have a plan. Just follow my lead tomorrow,” Evelyn said, her smile turning wicked.
