Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Unlike Julian, who always dressed in a black suit and overcoat, Gore, in Aurora's eyes, was like a flamboyant peacock, as flashy as he could possibly be.

"Does a normal person drive a convertible in the middle of winter? Aren't you afraid of freezing to death?" Gore muttered to himself, "No wonder I felt like the heater wasn't working today." Aurora was speechless. This man was the epitof a high-IQ, low-EQ playboy. She had sensed it the first tthey met.

It had been nearly six months since Gore and Aurora last saw each other. The only times she'd seen him were on the news or in magazines. Compared to the Aurora from six months ago, she had changed significantly. At least now, she understood the ways of the world and no longer kept everyone at arm's length with her icy demeanor. "Insultingthe moment we meet-you're such a troublemaker," Gore said, clearly unbothered. After all, no other woman dared to speak to him like this, and strangely enough, he enjoyed it.

It was a dynamic where one teased, and the other willingly played along.

"It's late-are we having breakfast or lunch?" Gore glanced at his watch. It was almost 11 a. m. He remembered how this woman never used to sleep in, yet when he called earlier, it was clear she'd just woken up.

"Lunch, I suppose. Honestly, I'm starving," Aurora replied.

"Your man hasn't been feeding you well? Why don't you cwithinstead? Three meals a day, guaranteed." Gore's tone was teasing, but beneath the surface, there was always a hint of flirtation.

Though Gore and Asher seemed similar on the surface, they were vastly different. Both were cheerful in Aurora's presence, but Asher was like the warming sun, while Gore was a scoundrel.

From the moment Aurora met Gore, he had never been serious. He spent every day finding ways to lure her into his bed. Aurora had always believed he saw her as prey- something he couldn't have, which made him all the more determined.

"Do you think I can't survive without a man to feed me?" Aurora was long used to his nonsense and didn't take offense. It was just who he was.

"Just joking. I know a great restaurant-sgood old hometown flavors." Gore smoothly changed the subject, his wit always keeping him just shy of stepping over the line.

For most women, falling into his trap would have been inevitable. But Aurora kept her mind clear from beginning to end. Before she met Julian, she'd never been the type to indulge in casual flings. If something wasn't her type, she wouldn't touch it.

"You must be tired of all the food in Rby now," Gore said with a chuckle. As much of a playboy as he was, he did put effort into knowing what women liked. Aurora had learned this about him long ago.

"Did Candy tell you where I was?" Aurora asked. She had spoken to Candy before leaving, and Candy had recently run into Gore.

"Of course. If I didn't reach out first, were you planning to never contactagain?" "Not exactly. I'm just treating this as a vacation." "A vacation where you don't even visit old friends? Princess, that hurts. I've been thinking about you all this time." "Big boss, weren't you just thinking about the actress you were with last night? I saw stabloid news about you and a Victoria's Secret angel not too long ago." "So you do care about me?" Gore's face lit up with mock delight.

Aurora sighed. "It was a push notification on my phone. I didn't want to see it, but it popped up anyway." "So dismissive. Not only do you avoid contacting me, but you don't even pay attention to my news?" "You know I've never been interested in gossip. By the way, that model has a great figure. I imagine your future baby would be tall and strong." "Ugh, your sharp tongue," Gore said, laughing. Bantering with Aurora was one of his favorite things-they both enjoyed it.

Aurora smiled faintly. "Big boss, speaking of which, since you're already here, I do have a favor to ask." "You? Askingfor a favor? Let's hear it then." "I'm planning to expand into the European market. You know this area well. Are you considering any investments lately?" Aurora wasn't just here for a vacation.

She had silently vowed to one day surpass Mira's position and ambition. One market like Clothville wasn't enough for her.

"Oh? You're about to get married, and instead of staying hto play the perfect wife, you're planning to dive into business?" Gore teased.

"Listen to yourself-you sound like you're from the 19th century. It's the 21st century now, big boss. Women have voting rights, you know." "If I married you, I'd have to keep you at hevery day. A treasure like you, constantly surrounded by men? I'd die of jealousy. Your man must be very open-minded." Aurora thought of Julian and laughed inwardly. That man wished he could keep her in his pocket every day. Open- minded? Not in the slightest.

"He's not open-minded. His heart is just small-so small that it only has room for me. He knows I'm not the kind of woman who hides under a man's wing. That's why he gavethe freedom to fly, to pursue everything I want. That's love, isn't it?" Aurora's face softened into an expression of pure happiness as she spoke about Julian.

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complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "No wonder you chose him," En Gore said with a wry smile. "Of course. Now stop changing the subject. Are you going to answer my question?" "Fine. We'll talk details later-we're at the restaurant." Gore parked the car.

Though he was sharp-tongued, Gore was undeniably capable If they m worked together, Aurora knew she would be one step closer to success.

Keeping up his gentlemanly demeanor, Gore started to step out of the car to open her door, but Aurora had already gotten out herself.

"We've known each other long enough-no need to be so formal," she said, standing gracefully beside him with her bag.

Gore shrugged helplessly. He had known this woman would never give any man the chance to play the gentleman.

It made sense why she agreed to meet him so easily. For Gore, it was just a casual meetup. For Aurora, it was a negotiation. She hadn't changed a bit-always sharp and efficient. If she didn't need something, she wouldn't have bothered to come. The two walked into the restaurant together. In a foreign land, seeing something familiar always brought a sense of warmth.

But coincidences were a funny thing. Julian had just finished his business nearby and arrived at the srestaurant.

As Aurora and Gore entered, Julian's expression shifted the moment he saw the man beside her.

Mira noticed as well. A sly smile played on her lips. Was the show about to begin? mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1