Aurora watched everything from a distance, an amused smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

’This Alana... she’s really trying her best to look pitiful in front of me,’ she mused inwardly, her eyes glinting with quiet mockery.

’And yet, she’s the one drowning in her own act... how miserable.’

Meanwhile, Alana’s fingers had long since curled into a tight fist, the faint sting grounding her rising impatience.

She had already dropped so many obvious hints, yet Aurora hadn’t come to console her, hadn’t even asked about the bruises she had so carefully displayed.

It felt wrong, too wrong.

’Did she notice something?’

The thought flickered through her mind before she abruptly forced herself to stop thinking further.

The next day, when Aurora arrived at the university, she had expected Alana to continue her pitiful performance, but instead, she saw her acting completely normal.

A soft smile rested on Alana’s face, so natural that anyone else would have believed it without question.

It was flawless... too flawless. No one would suspect that she was being abused.

Aurora, however, saw straight through it in an instant.

’So she realized I might have noticed something... and changed tactics,’ she thought, her amusement deepening.

’Since you’ve invested so much effort... how can I not play along?’

With that, Aurora walked up to her, her expression turning slightly grim. "I need to talk to you... in private."

Alana’s heart leapt in secret delight, but she quickly suppressed it, forcing her face into calm neutrality.

"Alright," she replied softly, as if nothing unusual had happened.

They moved to an isolated corner.

Alana looked at Aurora with a gentle smile. "What happened? What do you want to talk about?"

"Do you want notes or something?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"I don’t want to talk about that," Aurora cut in flatly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I want to talk about something I noticed yesterday... something I hadn’t seen before."

The moment those words landed, Alana’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

She immediately put on a defensive expression.

"What did you see? You must have misunderstood something..." Her eyes darted around nervously, as if afraid someone might overhear.

Aurora nearly laughed right then and there. ’Look at her... putting on a "don’t ask" face when she’s practically begging me to ask.’

Instead, Aurora simply nodded lightly and turned away. "If you’re not comfortable, then forget it. I won’t ask."

She began to walk away without hesitation.

Alana froze, completely stunned.

’She’s... leaving? Just like that?’

Aurora was supposed to be a warm-hearted, kind someone who would insist, who would dig deeper.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

Her eyes quickly welled up as she forced herself to sniffle, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Aurora paused, though only just enough to watch the performance unfold.

Right on cue, Alana’s voice trembled. "I... I really didn’t want to tell you... but things have gone too far now ..."

She looked up at Aurora, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Even though we’ve only known each other for two days... I feel like we have a deep connection."

Wiping at her tears, she lowered her voice. "I’m... being abused at home."

Aurora tilted her head slightly, her expression turning faintly puzzled.

"That’s strange. Didn’t you say your mother’s family is involved in the mafia?"

A faint smirk almost appeared on her lips.

"And now you’re saying you’re being abused... what kind of adventurous life are you living?"

Alana’s breath hitched for a moment, but she quickly steadied herself, maintaining her fragile facade.

"If... if someone showed me this kind of concern earlier... maybe I wouldn’t have suffered so much ..."

She took a shaky breath before continuing, her voice weak.

"It’s because my mother comes from a mafia family... she has violent tendencies... she takes it out on me."

A forced, pale smile appeared on her lips. "Even the money I transferred to you... that was my last savings."

Aurora almost burst out laughing. ’So this is the plan... act pitiful and take the money back.’

Outwardly, however, her face hardened. "If that’s the case, we should report this to the cops."

She added calmly, "And since that was your last bit of money, I’ll return it to you."

Alana’s eyes lit up instantly, excitement flashing through them before she could hide it.

But when Aurora mentioned the cop, her expression stiffened. She was about to object

"As for repaying me for helping you," Aurora continued smoothly, "you can work at one of my companies."

Alana blinked in confusion.

"It has forty-eight floors," Aurora went on casually. "You just need to clean it every day. I’ll deduct thirty thousand dollars per month from your debt."

She paused briefly, her gaze sharp. "At that rate... it’ll only take you a few years to repay everything."

Alana went completely speechless. For a moment, she felt as if blood rushed up her throat, the urge to vomit overwhelming her.

Aurora noticed everything yet continued as if nothing was wrong.

"I understand your situation. Of course, I’ll help you... like any good colleague would."

She pulled out her phone.

Alana’s eyes widened in alarm as she hurriedly reached out. "Don’t call!"

Aurora chuckled softly, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What’s wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Alana shook her head quickly.

"No, I mean... if you involve the cops, they might detain me too. After all... I’m technically related to a mafia family ..."

Aurora nodded slowly, as if that explanation made perfect sense. "I see. Then we won’t go to the cops."

Relief washed over Alana instantly, her shoulders relaxing as she nodded.

Then, as if seizing the opportunity, she leaned forward slightly.

"Earlier... when you used your martial arts... I could tell you’re very powerful," she said, her tone filled with admiration. "So... how about this?"

She looked at Aurora earnestly.

"If you help me get through this... come to my mansion and protect me... I’ll become your slave."

Aurora fell silent, utterly speechless.

’This girl... she’s not even trying to hide her intentions anymore.’

Taking a slow breath, she shook her head.

"That won’t be possible. I have a very weak body... I get sick often."

Alana’s eyes immediately brightened.

"That’s not a problem!" she said quickly. "I have medicine... something that can suppress all your sickness."

Hearing those words, Aurora slowly turned her head and looked at Alana with a faintly suspicious gaze.

"If you really have such a miracle medicine," she spoke calmly, her tone laced with quiet scrutiny, "then why not sell it for money and hire a bodyguard instead?"

Her lips curved faintly, though there was no warmth in her expression.

"Why go through all this trouble... and all this nonsense?"

The moment those words landed, Alana’s face flushed red, embarrassment and frustration mixing together as her fingers curled tighter at her sides.

Aurora didn’t stop.

"In that case," she continued evenly, "since you have a proper means of defense, I’ll just transfer the one million dollars back to you."

She tilted her head slightly. "And I’ll send you the address of my company."

Alana pressed her lips together, her thoughts racing.

’As long as I get the money back... I can just ignore everything else. I won’t go anywhere near that company.’

But Aurora, as if reading her mind, added lightly, "We’ll also sign an official contract."

Alana’s heart skipped.

"If you fail to clean the company regularly and properly," Aurora went on, her voice calm yet sharp as a blade, "you’ll have to pay a penalty. And if you don’t show up..." she paused, her gaze locking onto Alana’s, "...I can sue you."

The last trace of color drained from Alana’s face.

Finally, she broke. Her shoulders slumped as she lowered her head, trying to sort everything out on her own, her thoughts spiraling into chaos.

Aurora simply stood there, watching her without the slightest intention of helping.

’I told her everything...’ Alana thought bitterly.

’I even acted like that... just so she would help me. But now... she’s acting like none of it matters.’

Aurora let out a soft sigh and shook her head.

"I really don’t understand what kind of person you are," she said flatly.

Her voice carried no anger, only a quiet disappointment that cut deeper than any accusation.

"I helped you... yet instead of being grateful, you gave me money and then you pretended to act distant."

She took a slow step forward. "The next day, you came again... playing tricks, showing off your injuries."

Her gaze sharpened.

"And when I finally confronted you and tried to help, you started talking about how that money was your last savings."

Aurora’s lips pressed into a thin line. "Do you think that’s appropriate?"

The silence stretched.

"I was trying to help you," she added softly, "and you turned it into something about money... as if I were forcing you."

Alana fell completely silent, her throat tightening as she found herself unable to respond.

For the first time, a faint unease crept into her heart. ’Why... do I feel like I’m the one being exposed?’