Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Marcos was already up early. Susan, dressed impeccably, radiated charm as she joined him for the drive.

Though Marcos had experienced his share of attention in the past, the buzz across the street was on another level. The two shopping malls stood directly opposite one another, making it impossible to ignore the swelling crowd on the rival side.

"Marcos, don't worry. Sophie will be here soon. She's already started her makeup," Susan said, her voice light but tinged with nervousness.

"Hmm." Marcos responded curtly, though inwardly, he couldn't deny the truth. Julian's aggressive advertising campaign for Aurora had made an undeniable impact.

And then there was Candy. Aurora's decision to bring her in was a masterstroke. A significant portion of the crowd held banners and signs with Candy's nscrawled across them.

"Did you hear? Candy is coming!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.

"Which Candy?" "The Hollywood Candy! We just saw her movie last week." "Really? Let's go check it out. She's way more interesting than Sophie." "Quick, let's move!" People surged toward the other side, a wave of excitement sweeping through the street.

"I heard there are lots of handsguys over there," another voice chimed in.

"Let's go!" The crowd around Marcos began to thin rapidly, drawn to the livelier spectacle across the street. The pull of excitement was irresistible, even to those who didn't fully understand what they were chasing.

Susan caught the subtle shift in Marcos' expression. Anxiety coiled in her chest. Aurora's event hadn't even officially begun, yet their crowd was already dwarfed.

"Let's go take a look," Marcos said abruptly, his tone steady but his curiosity piqued. Susan hesitated, wanting to dissuade him, but the determination in his voice stopped her. "Alright." She had learned to tread carefully with Marcos. Men didn't like being opposed-at least, that's what her experience had taught her. Compliance was her strategy now, staying in the background, supporting him, sharing his triumphs and frustrations. What she had lost with Hayden, she was determined to reclaim with Marcos.

Clinging to his arm, Susan followed as they crossed the street. But neither of them was prepared for what awaited them on the other side.

For Susan, it was the sight of Hayden. She never imagined he'd publicly support Aurora. Yet there he was, seated beside Joaquin, who radiated pride and delight. The two of them, chatting intermittently, painted a picture of familial harmony. It was as though Aurora perfectly belonged in their world.

If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Susan's chest tightened. Even though she was Hayden's wife, she could never claim the place Aurora held in Joaquin's heart. The bitterness was faint but undeniable. She had sworn to move on, to let go of the past, but the unfairness still stung.

Marcos, meanwhile, had his eyes locked on someone else entirely: Denis Vukic. Seeing Denis here was the last thing he expected. Denis rarely returned to Clothville. Was he here for Aurora? What was their connection? The two men exchanged a glance across the crowd. Marcos hesitated, but then decided to approach.

Denis, tall and composed, walked toward him with deliberate, measured steps. Among Lockman's protégés, Marcos had been one of the more promising ones. But even at his best, he'd never matched Denis' natural brilliance.

"Denis," Marcos greeted, keeping his tone neutral. They had attended the sschool, and Lockman had been Denis' stepfather. But Denis' aloofness meant they had never been close.

Denis gave a faint nod, his expression unreadable. "Marcos." "You don't usually do business in Clothville," Marcos said cautiously. "What brings you here?" Denis' tone was as cool as ever. "This is my student's event. As her mentor, of course I'm here to support her." "Your student?" Marcos blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Aurora is your student? But you stopped working with perfumes years ago..." If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Denis didn't flinch. "Aurora is exceptionally gifted. That's why I made an exception." Marcos' stomach churned. Denis rarely referred to himself as anyone's mentor, and Aurora had always treated him more like a friend. For Denis to emphasize this relationship now-especially in front of Marcos-was a deliberate move. A quiet declaration of allegiance.

Marcos tried to mask his unease, but Denis wasn't finished. "She's talented," Denis added, his words sharp and pointed. "It would've been a waste not to teach her."

For years, Denis had kept his distance from the perfworld after Daria's death. His other om ventures had flourished, but he hadn't touched perfumery again. And yet, he had taught Aurora. That fact alone carried weight. For Denis to personally mentor her meant she wasn't someone Marcos could dismiss lightly.

Susan watched the interaction closely, sensing Denis' significance from Marcos' reaction. She didn't know much about him, but the tension in Marcos' posture told her enough. A pang of jealousy flickered in her chest. Why did Aurora always seem to attract such powerful allies?

Across the way, Aurora stood chatting with Asher. His easygoing charm had coaxed a laugh from her, her smile unguarded and genuine. v.e Asher and Denis both stood out in a crowd, their presence magnetic. How had Aurora managed to surround herself with such remarkable people? Julian alone was overwhelming enough. Now, more influential figures seemed to be gathering around her.

Susan's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of another luxury car. The event was turning into a display of opulence.

A tall man stepped out, his long black coat billowing slightly in the wind. His pale complexion and strikingly handsfeatures gave him an almost otherworldly presence. He stood by the car, silent and composed, extending a hand in invitation.

A moment later, a woman emerged. Her fiery red wool coat hugged her figure, her makeup flawless. Her fox-like eyes curved upward, glinting with seductive allure. The crowd's hum grew louder.

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