Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Chapter 518: You Can't Escape My Grasp Rocky finally understood. Ever since Julian started dating Aurora, the once-workaholic CEO hadn't stayed late at the office even once. Every day, he clocked in and out on time.

Today, Julian voluntarily asked to work overtime, and as expected, it had something to do with Aurora. Rocky looked at his boss, utterly speechless. The CEO sitting at his desk looked anything but cheerful-his face was drawn with frustration.

Julian had grown accustomed to spending every evening glued to his Little Bunny after work. Tonight, as the sky outside grew darker, the hours began to drag unbearably. Time, which had once passed unnoticed, now felt like an eternity.

Five minutes. That's all it had been. Julian stared blankly at the computer screen for a full five minutes.

"Mr. Barnet, if you really don't want to stay at the office, you could just head hearly," Rocky suggested, noting his boss's distracted state.

"Do you think I don't want to go home?" Julian snapped. But a hwithout Aurora? He couldn't stand it. It would be even more torturous than staying at the office.

"Ah..." Rocky sighed, giving up. As a perpetually single man, he had no way of understanding this kind of sweet torment.

After barely making it through another half hour, Julian finally called Aurora. "Little Bunny, are you done yet? I'm heading over to pick you up." Even through the phone, Aurora could feel Julian's eagerness. She glanced at the test tube in her hand. "Julian, I'm afraid I'll be late tonight. You should go hfirst. Don't wait for me-I'll ask Mona to driveback later." "Oh..." Julian's disappointment was palpable as he hung up. He regretted encouraging Aurora to pursue perfumery in the first place.

"That's it. I'm heading home." Julian shut his laptop and left without hesitation.

Rocky watched him go, shaking his head. "Men and women really are the same-changing their minds faster than flipping a page in a book." On the way home, Julian made a phone call to a hrenovation company's CEO, instructing him to meet at his villa.

Rocky was puzzled. What's he planning now? When they arrived at the villa, the renovation company's CEO, Mr. Zeke, was already there. Seeing Julian, he quickly rose to greet him.

"Good evening, Mr. Barnet." Julian merely glanced at him, his expression cold and distant, as he removed his coat and sat on the sofa like a king. Toward outsiders, Julian's demeanor was always icy. Although Mr. Zeke was technically a guest, he stood to the side like a servant, not daring to sit without permission. Everyone in the room understood that Julian wouldn't summon someone just for tea. He clearly had instructions to give. And for Mr. Zeke, working with Julian was a golden opportunity-one that could bring unimaginable wealth.

"I asked you here because I have a task for you," Julian said. Though his words were polite, his tone was commanding, like an emperor issuing an order.

Mr. Zeke quickly nodded and smiled obsequiously. "Of course, Mr. Barnet. Just tellwhat you need, and I'll do my best to make it happen." "Good. I want this villa completely renovated," Julian said, his tone calm.

"Renovated? But it was just finished last year..." Mr. Zeke wiped the sweat from his brow. Everything in the villa was top-notch, yet Julian was already planning a complete overhaul. Truly, the man's wealth was staggering.

"Turn it into a laboratory," Julian added matter-of-factly. He was worried that Aurora would spend too much tworking late at the company.

The two villas were adjacent, and they only ever used one. The other was practically idle. So why not transform it into a private lab for Aurora? That way, she could chearlier, and he could ensure she ate dinner properly.

Julian's dedication to Aurora was evident. Rocky finally understood why his boss had rushed home-it was all for Miss Montgomery.

"All right, Mr. Barnet. Could you providewith more details about your requirements?" "Cover here." Julian pulled a blueprint from his briefcase. On the way home, he had sketched out the design for the laboratory himself.

Rocky was impressed. His boss's efficiency was unmatched. Julian handed the blueprint to Mr. Zeke, and the two discussed the details.

"When would you like us to start, Mr. Barnet?" "As soon as possible." "Tomorrow, then." "Good. Rocky will handle the contract with you tomorrow." "Understood, Mr. Barnet. I won't take up any more of your time." With that, Mr. Zeke hurriedly left.

Julian, now in high spirits, returned to Aurora's villa next door. His Little Bunny wouldn't be able to escape his grasp anymore.

Julian's heart ached for Aurora's hard work. He wanted her to live under his care and protection. But he alsom understood that Aurora wasn't an ordinary woman. She wasn't the type to spend her days sipping tea, shopping, or playing cards with society's wealthy wives. She had ambitions, a career, and goals of her own.

If they had children, perhaps she would be willing to settle into a quieter life. But that wasn't an option. Aurora's body couldn't bear children-it was an unchangeable fact.

Julian sighed deeply. Aurora had expressed her longing for a child more than once. How much longer could he keep the truth from her? He shuddered at the thought of her reaction when she found out. Her hopeful gaze, her yearning for a child-how would she cope when she learned the truth? He sighed again, helpless against the situation. It was all because of that strange curse.

Tina had drugged Aurora when she was a child, stripping her of the ability to beca mother. Though cruel, it had been for Aurora's safety. If it Aurora's safety. If im meant Aurora could live past thirty and grow old by his side, Julian was willing to forgo having children forever. The R family's curse was shrouded in mystery, but if this was the price for Aurora's survival, Julian would gladly pay it. When Aurora finally finished her work and returned to the villa, the clock had already struck ten. Julian should have been getting ready for bed by now.

The living room lights were still on. She pushed the door open and saw Julian lounging on the sofa, watching TV-a rare sight.

"Julian, I'm back," she called, stepping out of her shoes.

Julian rose to greet her. "Tired?" "I was so busy, I didn't notice," she said, removing her coat. The warmth of the villa's heating made her feel cozy and relaxed.

Julian's lips curved into a smile. "I made you a late-night snack. Sit down and rest while I heat it up." "Okay." Aurora realized how hungry she was. She had only eaten a small takeout meal at the office. Julian returned with a beautifully plated dish. "It's from your favorite restaurant. I had it packed just for you. Eat up." mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1