Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 166

Chapter 166: A Fatal Blow

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of Aurora’s private study as Nene entered with a neatly wrapped copy of Vogue magazine. Her steps were light, a proud smile gracing her face as she handed the glossy publication to her boss.

Aurora’s gaze landed on the front cover, and the instant she saw her face staring back, her lips stretched into a radiant smile. “This turned out beautifully,” she said, running her fingers over the embossed lettering of her name and title beneath the elegant photograph.

Nene leaned in slightly, her eyes sparkling with shared excitement. “You look stunning, Mrs. Scott. This cover is iconic.”

Aurora beamed, flipping through the pages until she found her feature. Every photograph, every carefully written word, spoke volumes of her journey, and she couldn’t help the sense of pride swelling in her chest. “Nene, make sure we send a copy to Abigail. She will love this.”

“Already done,” Nene replied with a wink, leaving Aurora to bask in the glow of her latest achievement.

—

The Swift Family Residence

Stella sat in the morning sunlit sit-out, a steaming cup of tea resting on the side table. Her usual air of authority softened in the tranquil moment, though it would not last. A servant approached, balancing three neatly stacked magazines.

“The monthly issues have arrived, ma’am,” the servant announced, placing the magazines beside her.

Stella nodded, picking up her teacup to take a sip before casually reaching for the topmost magazine. However, as she lifted it, the Vogue issue underneath caught her eye. Aurora’s face, radiant and confident, graced the cover.

Her hand froze mid-motion, and her gaze locked onto the cover. “Aurora?” she murmured. The shock caused her to sputter, spilling tea onto her lap. “Impossible!”

The servant rushed to assist, but Stella waved her off impatiently. She grabbed the magazine, her fingers trembling as she stared at the bold lettering: Aurora Swift, Director & COO of Vintage Cellar.

“How… how did this happen?” Stella whispered hoarsely, flipping through the pages until she found Aurora’s exclusive interview. The photographs stopped her cold—Aurora in elegant designer dresses, poised with the confidence Stella had never associated with her.

The servant hovered uncertainly nearby, unsure whether to help or retreat as Stella began mumbling to herself, “When did this happen? How could she rise so high without my knowledge?”

Stella believed that she had a tight watch on Aurora, especially since Adam died. Every day, reports of Aurora’s car leaving and driving into the apartment complex she rented were given to her, so obviously, she had her doubts.

Her eyes fell on one particular question in the interview. “Are you considering settling down in the near future?” Aurora’s response struck like a thunderbolt: “Actually, I’m already married.”

Stella shot upright in her seat, her pulse pounding in her ears. “Married? Aurora? When?” Her voice rose in pitch, her face pale with disbelief. Unable to bear the suspense on Aurora’s husband’s identity as a dark cloud circled around her mind, hinting at a bad premonition, her gaze dropped to the next line.

Without wasting a moment, she devoured them, reading about Aurora’s wedding in Venice, Italy, and then… the name.

‘Alexandar Scott.’

“Xander Scott?!” Stella exclaimed, her voice cracking as she slammed the magazine down. She turned to the servant. “Look at this name! Is this correct?”

The servant, startled, leaned over to confirm. “Yes, ma’am. That’s what it says.”

Stella’s breaths came in shallow gasps as her hand flew to her chest. The room spun around her. “No… no, this can’t be. Aurora married into the Scott family? Xander? The same Xander?”

Before the servant could react, Stella stumbled back into her chair, clutching her chest. “Ah!’ she screamed in pain and slowly sat back down, totally forgetting about everything relating to Aurora which she had just read.

“Ma’am, are you okay?” The servant quickly rushed to her side, trying to help her. “W-what happened? Does your chest hurt?”

A sharp pain shot through Stella, and she cried out, “Call the doctor! Take me to the hospital!”

The servant sprang into action, shouting for help as Stella collapsed into the chair, her face contorted in pain.

—

The Emergency Room

The hospital buzzed with urgency as Stella was rushed in on a stretcher, unconscious and pale. Nurses moved swiftly, hooking her up to monitors and administering oxygen. A doctor emerged moments later to speak to the servant who had accompanied her.

“She’s suffered a mild heart attack,” the doctor explained. “She’s stable now, but keep her away from stress and follow a strict diet regimen. We will prescribe medication to help her recovery.”

The servant nodded, relief washing over her face as she stepped aside to make a call to the Swift residence, informing them of Stella’s condition.

“The doctor said Mrs. Scott can be discharged tomorrow morning if she has made a full recovery. I will keep you updated on her condition.”

—

Back at the Swift Family Residence

Stephanie had just returned from a morning meeting when the butler greeted her at the door. “Ma’am, Mrs. Swift suffered a heart attack this morning and was taken to the hospital.”

Stephanie’s brows knitted together in surprise. “A heart attack? What caused it?”

“I believe she was reading some magazines when it happened,” the butler replied, handing her the stack Stella had been looking through.

Stephanie’s eyes narrowed as she took the magazines and flipped through them. Her gaze halted on the Vogue issue, the image of Aurora staring back at her. With a knowing smirk, she separated the issue from the pile and settled into a chair to read.

It didn’t take her long to discover the reason for Stella’s distress. As she read Aurora’s revelations—her marriage to Xander Scott, her rise to power—Stephanie burst into laughter. “Oh, Stella, I see why you couldn’t handle this.”

Her amusement lingered as she placed the magazine back on the table, shaking her head at the unfolding drama. “Aurora has shocked you to the core this time around. Let’s see what happens after you recover.”