Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 129

Chapter 129: Stephanie Visits

Aurora stared at her phone, her fingers trembling as she processed the shocking conversation with her Aunt. Slowly, she turned to Nene, her voice unsteady. “Nene, my Aunt knows… she knows I’m married to Xander.”

Nene froze mid-step, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Huh? H-How did she find out?”

“I don’t know,” Aurora admitted, her voice carrying a hint of panic. “She didn’t say, but she figured it out somehow.”

Nene began pacing the kitchen, her mind racing. “Could there have been a slip-up somewhere? Did someone say something?”

Aurora shook her head, though uncertainty clouded her expression. “I don’t think so. But there’s no use guessing now.” Straightening in her seat, she took a calming breath and issued instructions. “Send our house address to my Aunt. Then call Xander—I need to let him know about this immediately.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Nene swiftly picked up Aurora’s phone, sending the address to Stephanie before dialling Xander’s number. As the phone rang, she asked hesitantly, “Ma’am, can we trust your Aunt with this?”

Aurora’s answer came without hesitation. “I do. My dad may have hurt me in ways I can never forget, but I trust his judgment. He handed Vintage Cellar to Stephanie because he believed in her leadership, and she has lived up to it.”

Though Nene nodded, her worry lingered. Aurora continued as if sensing her doubt. “Stephanie isn’t like my stepmother. If it were Stella who discovered this, we would have a real problem on our hands.”

The call finally connected, but it was Liam’s voice that came through. “Good afternoon, Ma’am. This is Liam speaking.”

Nene covered the phone’s receiver and whispered to Aurora, “It’s Liam.”

Aurora quickly took the phone, her tone steady. “Liam, is my husband free to take the call?”

“Apologies, Ma’am,” Liam replied, his professionalism unwavering. “Mr. Scott is currently in a meeting with DANTE Group’s board of directors. Should I inform him of your call once the meeting concludes?”

Aurora glanced at the clock, frustration flashing in her eyes. She didn’t think she would be able to wait until the time Xander called back. “There’s no need to interrupt. Just pass on this message—tell him my Aunt knows we are married, and she’s coming here after work.”

“Understood, Ma’am. I will inform him as soon as possible,” Liam assured her.

As the call ended, Aurora set the phone down on the counter, her hands trembling slightly.

“Ma’am, you’re shaking,” Nene observed, concern lining her face.

“Am I?” Aurora muttered absentmindedly, staring at her trembling fingers.

Nene immediately stepped forward, helping her off the stool. “You need to rest. This is too much stress for you.” She signalled the chefs to pack away the ingredients, then gently guided Aurora out of the kitchen.

—

A few hours later, the sound of a sleek car pulling up outside the house announced Stephanie’s arrival. Nene greeted her at the door with a polite bow.

Stephanie was dressed impeccably in an off-white suit paired with gold accessories that caught the light. Her sharp gaze swept over the house as Nene introduced herself. “I’m Nene, Mrs. Scott’s secretary. Please, come in.”

Stephanie followed her into the spacious living room, where Nene offered her a warm towel and a cup of tea. Stephanie accepted gracefully, her movements elegant as she settled onto the couch.

“Where is my niece?” Stephanie asked after taking a sip of tea.

The sound of soft footsteps answered her question. Nene turned with a smile. “Mrs. Scott is here.”

Stephanie looked up just as Aurora entered the room, her voice soft but warm. “Aunty.”

Stephanie’s eyes narrowed with concern as she took in Aurora’s pale complexion. She immediately stood, her arms outstretched. “Aurora, come here.”

For the first time in years, Aurora stepped into her Aunt’s embrace, her nervousness melting away under the warmth of Stephanie’s hold.

“I’m relieved to see you recovering,” Stephanie said, patting Aurora’s back before releasing her.

As they sat on the couch, Stephanie’s sharp gaze swept over her. “How are you feeling? Did the surgery go well?”

Aurora hesitated, her brows furrowing. “I’m better, but… I don’t remember much about the hospital or the procedure itself.”

Stephanie’s brows drew together in concern. She turned to Nene. “Did the surgery affect her memory?”

“A little,” Nene admitted, before excusing herself to give them privacy.

Stephanie redirected her attention to Aurora, her expression softening. “I’m glad to see you’re being cared for,” she said sincerely.

After a pause, Aurora gathered her courage and asked, “Aunty, how did you know I was married to Xander? We worked so hard to keep it private.”

Stephanie’s lips curled into a faint smile, her gaze shrewd. “I wouldn’t have known if you both hadn’t confirmed my suspicions. I’ve known you long enough to recognize that you would never entertain gossip linking you to a married man, even if he were a friend. And Xander Scott doesn’t strike me as a man who would casually flaunt a relationship unless there was something deeper.”

Aurora’s eyes widened as realization dawned. Her Aunt’s perceptiveness had caught her and Xander off guard.

Stephanie smiled, “Normally, I wouldn’t have let Xander comfort you so openly at your father’s funeral without confronting you about it. But I knew you were married, so I stayed silent.”

Aurora nodded slowly, recalling how Stephanie had scolded her over the articles suggesting she was Xander’s mistress. If Stephanie hadn’t already known the truth, she would have caused a scene even when Xander escorted her out of the Swift’s residence before the funeral.

“Once I had my suspicions,” Stephanie continued, “I went to the marriage registry. They wouldn’t release your husband’s name, but I pieced together the rest myself.”

Aurora’s surprise was evident. “Why didn’t you hint at this earlier?”

“I did,” Stephanie replied calmly. “Recently.”

“Huh?” Aurora’s brows furrowed in confusion. “When?”

“When you came to my office to tell me about your surgery. If I hadn’t known about Xander, I would’ve demanded the details and checked on you personally. But I trusted you were in good hands and stepped back.”

Aurora bit her lip, feeling foolish for missing these signs. She praised her Aunt’s sharp instincts before hesitantly asking about Stella, worried she might have guessed the truth too.

“Stella has no idea,” Stephanie reassured firmly. “She’s too preoccupied with trying to hand Vintage Cellar to Olivia. That truth won’t cross her mind.”

Their conversation shifted to Stella, and Aurora couldn’t help but issue a warning. “Aunty, be careful around her. She doesn’t make empty threats.” She remembered how Stella attempted to kill her but ended up killing her father instead, so she thought to warn her Aunt since the latter didn’t know about it yet.

Stephanie’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “I am well aware, but she will never succeed as long as I’m here.

After a moment, Stephanie leaned forward, her tone growing serious. “Your father and I discussed something important before he passed that I thought you might want to know.”

Aurora’s heart skipped a beat, her voice urgent. “What did you both talk about?”