Chapter 3The Desperate Woman

A few minutes later, a video call came through from my new boyfriend, Julian. “Aurora, I’ve just wrapped things up at the office. I’m on my way back now. Want me to pick up some late-night snacks?”

I thought for a moment. “No, that’s okay. I don’t have much of an appetite.”

His expression immediately turned serious. “What’s wrong? Did that man from this afternoon bother you? He… he didn’t do anything to you, did he?” He tried to sound casual, turning his head away, but the way he bit his lip betrayed his concern.

I shook my head, a small smile touching my lips. “Don’t be silly. It’s just the heat. And from now on, don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. It’s always spam.”

When Julian got home, he found the living room empty and rushed into the bedroom, looking panicked. He visibly relaxed when he saw me packing a suitcase.

“I thought we weren’t leaving for another month. Why are you packing already?”

I smiled and gave him a quick hug before returning to my task. “I changed the flight. We leave in three days. We can get there early and do some sightseeing.”

There was nothing left for me here. Just one last piece of business to take care of, and I could leave this all behind.

The next morning, I arrived at the auction hall. My parents had gone missing during a round-the-world trip years ago. An island up for bid today held the only clue I’d managed to find about their disappearance.

I hadn’t even reached my seat when a stiletto shot out, tripping me. I stumbled and fell to the floor.

Katie let out a snort of laughter. “Seriously, Aurora? I know your daughter calls me ‘Mom’ now, but you don’t have to bow to me.” She tutted. “You’re so much older than me. I’m worried this will shorten my lifespan.”

Despite her words, she didn’t walk away. Instead, she had one of her friends help me up.

“You’re so good at playing the victim,” Katie cooed. “If I were a man, I’d probably fall for it. Too bad for you, Karl is completely devoted to me.”

I brushed her friend’s hand away. “Does it feel good being a homewrecker? You must be enjoying it, judging by that smile.”

Her smile vanished. “You’ve got a sharp tongue. Let’s see if you’re still smiling in a few minutes.”

I assumed she was talking about Karl and shrugged it off. Why would I care about a man who had already cheated on me?

But when the bidding for the island began, one of Karl’s employees took the stage and began presenting my proposal.

My bid, my research, my entire plan—it had been stolen.

I stared at Karl in disbelief. He flinched and looked away, unable to meet my eyes. I had poured my heart and soul into that proposal, working sleepless nights for a month, all for the chance to get access to that island and investigate my parents’ last known location.

I never thought he would do this to me, not even for Katie.

Katie tilted her head, pointing to the presentation on the screen. “Isn’t it a great presentation, Aurora? This island is mine.”

To get the answers I needed, I had no choice. I clenched my jaw and signaled my assistant. “Add another ten percent to our budget. I don’t care what it takes. We are winning that island.”

Karl’s mouth opened as if he wanted to say something, to explain, but Katie tugged on his arm. “Karl, you promised you would give this island to me. How can you let Aurora use your money to steal it?”

A bitter laugh escaped me. So, after all the years we’d spent building our company from nothing, in everyone else’s eyes, I was just a freeloader living off his success.

I was about to tell Karl that I would fight him to the end for this, but he suddenly stopped Katie. “Why are we fighting over a deserted island? I have a much better gift for you, my love.”