On the surface, she remained calm. She simply gestured for him to continue.

So... he’s testing me.

Lucas leaned forward slightly as if about to continue.

But then his eyes moved downward.

For a brief second, his expression changed.

He noticed her nails.

The artificial extensions, delicate and polished, were the same style she had only started wearing two days ago.

And suddenly, everything clicked.

Aurora had worn this exact style recently.

Back then, he had not paid attention.

But now every detail stood out clearly.

Miss Dawn never existed in my previous life.

But now she does. And Aurora suddenly has the money, the timing, and the influence...

His thoughts connected instantly. So it was never two people. It was always her.

The realization hit him hard, but he kept his face calm.

After a long moment, he looked back at her, his expression respectful.

Inside, however, pride rose in his chest.

’My little sister... is truly incredible.’

She had built a whole new identity, manipulated the situation, and created the perfect cover... all to protect their family.

For a brief moment, he wanted to hug her and tell her he understood everything.

But he held back. Instead, he played along as if nothing had changed.

Casually, Lucas began discussing investment opportunities, listing several properties whose values were about to skyrocket.

Aurora listened carefully.

The original dream she had received mostly focused on the family’s tragic fates and relationships. Economic changes had barely been mentioned.

But now Lucas was filling in those missing pieces.

Quietly, she memorized everything he said and immediately contacted Emily, telling her to buy several of the properties at once.

’My instincts and his knowledge fit too perfectly to ignore.’

Lucas noticed how quickly she acted and chuckled softly.

"Of course," he added, almost casually, "these are only the main options. I’ve already prepared backup plans."

Aurora blinked. Backup plans?

As he continued explaining strategies involving shares, market changes, and long-term positioning, her expression slowly changed.

Shock. Then realization.

’Have I... been underestimating him this whole time?’

Compared to Alex, who was clearly a business genius, Lucas had something different.

A natural instinct. A sharpness especially suited for the stock market.

’He’s... better than Alex in this field.’

After a moment, Aurora made her decision.

Looking directly at him, she said firmly, "If you’re willing, I want you to handle all real estate and share investments."

Lucas stared at her for a second. Then nearly laughed.

’Just like that... she’s handing everything to me?’

The trust was overwhelming.

But at the same time, it made perfect sense.

’I’m not just anyone to her.’

Without hesitation, he nodded. "I accept."

Aurora, still in her Miss Dawn identity, continued smoothly, "In that case, I’m willing to offer you forty percent of the shares."

Lucas gave a small chuckle.

"That won’t be necessary," he said lightly. "We already agreed on eighty-twenty."

Aurora tilted her head. "Eighty percent for you?" she asked.

Lucas shook his head. "No. Twenty percent for me."

For the first time, Aurora was genuinely stunned. Her eyes widened slightly.

’What is he doing...?’

A faint crease appeared between her brows.

"This isn’t acceptable," she said seriously. "I’m offering forty percent because I recognize your talent."

Her gaze sharpened. "If you keep undervaluing yourself like this, others won’t value you either."

Lucas nodded as if he understood. But inwardly, he was amused. She’s worried about me.

Suppressing the urge to tease her further, he lowered his gaze and let his expression dim.

Aurora noticed at once. "What’s wrong?" she asked, concern slipping into her voice.

Lucas waved his hand lightly. "It’s nothing."

After a short pause, he added quietly,

"I was in a car accident recently... and since then, I feel like I’ve forgotten a lot of things."

Aurora froze.

"What...?" she asked softly, shock clear in her voice.

Her thoughts raced. ’So that’s why he feels different.’

A heavy feeling settled in her chest.

’He’s been carrying this alone...?’

Before she could say anything, Lucas sighed.

"Honestly... instead of focusing on work like a proper CEO, I’ve been wasting time lately."

Aurora frowned. "Wasting time?"

Lucas nodded, keeping his tone vague. "I’ve been browsing certain websites."

Aurora’s expression immediately stiffened. But before she could think too much, Lucas added casually,

"Dating sites."

She blinked. "...What?"

"I realized," he continued calmly, "that I don’t feel anything for my current fiancée... "

Each word made Aurora stare harder.

"So I’ve been thinking... maybe it’s better to end things."

Aurora’s heart lurched violently in her chest, panic surging through her veins like a sudden storm.

"W-What...?" her voice trembled despite her attempt to remain composed.

Lucas, however, continued as if he hadn’t noticed the shift in her expression.

"I think I’ve started to like someone else," he said calmly, almost absentmindedly. "Her name is Lilith."

The moment those words reached her ears... it felt as though the ground beneath her feet had shattered.

A suffocating emptiness swallowed her whole, as if the ceiling above her had collapsed and buried everything she had painstakingly built.

"All my efforts... everything I did... was it all for nothing?"

Her fingers curled tightly under the table, her nails digging into her palm as a wave of anxiety crashed over her.

Yet, despite the turmoil, she forced herself to think rationally.

"No... I need to understand him first."

Taking a shaky breath, she steadied herself.

"What are you planning to do?" she asked, her voice softer now, though laced with urgency.

Lucas leaned back slightly, his gaze drifting away.

"I’ve already started consulting another therapist," he replied. "They’re helping me figure things out... my thoughts, my identity... everything."

Aurora’s chest tightened.

"And?" she pressed, unable to hide the tension in her tone.

"I’m planning to distance myself from my family," he continued. "Maybe move somewhere secluded... clear my head."

That was it. Aurora abruptly stood up, the chair scraping harshly against the floor with a sharp screech. "No!"

The word escaped her before she could stop it.

Lucas looked at her, his brows slightly raised, a hint of curiosity flickering in his eyes.

"What’s wrong?" he asked slowly. "Why are you reacting like this?"

His gaze sharpened, as if trying to see through her.

"If I didn’t know better..." he added with a faint, teasing smile, "I’d think you were my family."

A soft laugh followed, light and careless. But Aurora didn’t laugh.

For a split second, she almost broke. "I am your family..."

The words nearly slipped out of her lips. She swallowed them forcefully.

Taking a deep breath, she steadied her voice.

"You’re not thinking clearly," she said, her tone firm but controlled. "If you’re struggling, you should seek proper medical help, not run away from everything."

Lucas watched her quietly.

Sensing that she might reveal too much if she continued, Aurora quickly shifted the topic.

"Your company’s revenue has doubled recently," she said, forcing a more neutral tone. "You’re planning a celebration, right?"

He nodded slightly.

"Then... make it a proper one," she continued. "Invite everyone. Surround yourself with people who care about you."

Her eyes softened just a fraction. "Maybe... seeing them happy will help you reconsider."

’Please... don’t leave us.’

She didn’t realize how deeply that thought reflected her own desperation.

If she had known earlier that Lucas harbored such thoughts, she would have intervened long ago.

Silence lingered between them as she waited. Lucas hesitated. Then finally, he nodded.

"...Alright."

Relief flickered in her eyes. But before she could fully relax, Lucas looked at her again.

"If possible," he added, "I want everyone in the family to attend."

Aurora paused. For a brief moment, conflict flashed across her face.

"That means... I’ll have to be there too."

Maintaining her dual identity suddenly became far more complicated.

Still, she nodded. "That can be arranged."

Just then, Lucas pulled out his phone.

"Oh, right," he murmured. "I should tell my little sister about the celebration. She loves these things."

Aurora’s heart skipped a beat. "No!"

For a second, she almost reached out to stop him. But then...

’My phone is on silent...’

A quiet sigh of relief escaped her.

"That was close."

However, when Lucas attempted to call again, her composure cracked slightly.

"You don’t need to insist so much," she said quickly. "She’ll find out eventually."

Lucas frowned faintly but nodded. "Alright."

He put his phone away.

The tension eased slightly after that, and they proceeded with a quiet dinner

The moment it ended, Aurora left almost immediately.

Her steps were quick, almost hurried, as if something were chasing her from behind.

"This is getting out of control..."

Meanwhile, Lucas’s behavior began to change subtly. Earlier, he barely interacted with Miss Dawn.

But now, it was different. Almost as if guilt had taken root within him.

He started sending her random messages.

"I feel like leaving everything behind."

"Sometimes... I just want to slap some sense into myself."

"I don’t know what I’m doing anymore."

Each message was more chaotic than the last.

When Aurora read them, her chest tightened painfully. "He’s... breaking down."