Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 322

Chapter 322: Aurora Slaps Juliet
The late morning sun poured through the tall windows of the grand dining hall, casting a warm glow over the long mahogany table where the Scott family gathered for breakfast. Unlike the tension-filled meals of previous days, this one was surprisingly peaceful.

The atmosphere was calm, the only sounds being the soft clinking of cutlery against fine China and the occasional murmur of conversation. Perhaps it was the exhaustion from yesterday’s festivities, or perhaps it was the lingering joy of Christmas, but whatever it was, everyone seemed content to simply eat without quarrel.

As the meal neared its end, the older members of the family, including Old Mr. and Mrs. Scott, moved into the sitting area to sip on coffee and tea while chatting in low voices.

Xander and his brothers remained at the table for a while longer, finishing up their food.

Seated beside Xander, Aurora leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a whisper. “I’m going to sit on the balcony for a bit. The sun is warm, and I could use some fresh air.”

Xander immediately turned his head toward her, his dark gaze sweeping over her face as though checking for any signs of discomfort. “Alright,” he agreed, but not before adding a firm warning. “If the weather gets colder, come back inside immediately.”

Aurora smiled. “I will.”

With that, she pushed back her chair, excused herself politely, and walked toward the balcony doors.

The balcony was right outside the living area, spacious and adorned with elegant lounge chairs and a beautiful view of the snow-covered mountains.

Aurora made herself comfortable on one of the reclining chairs, pulling her coat tighter around her as she tilted her face toward the sun. Closing her eyes, she let the warm rays soothe her skin, the crisp air filling her lungs.

Everything was peaceful.

That is, until a distinct floral perfume wafted into the air.

Aurora’s brows twitched slightly. She didn’t need to open her eyes to know who had just taken the seat beside her.

Juliet.

For a brief moment, Aurora considered ignoring her, but then she remembered the past few days—Juliet’s subtle provocations, her smug attitude, and her constant need to test boundaries.

Without turning her head, Aurora spoke, her voice calm but laced with warning. “Juliet, if you’re here to start another round of disrespect, I suggest you leave now because I won’t take it.”

Juliet let out a soft chuckle. “Oh, Aurora, you’re thinking too much.”

A beat of silence passed, and then Juliet started talking.

“I just wanted to offer my condolences,” she said, her tone laced with artificial sympathy. “Your stepmother finally got what she deserved, huh? Life in prison after murdering your father… such a tragic end to a tragic story.”

Aurora remained silent, her expression blank.

Juliet took her silence as an invitation to continue. “It’s really quite a pity, don’t you think? The way he died… such a cruel fate. A lesson, really. A warning to men everywhere to be mindful of the kind of women they marry. Otherwise…” She paused, letting her words sink in. “They might just end up like your father.”

Aurora’s eyes snapped open.

A frigid silence stretched between them.

Then, in a single, fluid motion, Aurora rose to her feet.

Juliet smirked. “Leaving already?”

But before she could blink—SLAP!

The sound of Aurora’s palm striking Juliet’s cheek rang through the air like a whip.

Juliet let out a startled gasp, clutching the left side of her face as she scrambled to her feet. Her eyes blazed with shock and indignation.

“How dare you hit me?!” she shrieked, her voice shrill with outrage.

Aurora’s expression was ice-cold, her chest rising and falling with steady breaths. “I warned you,” she said, her voice dangerously low. “But you just couldn’t help yourself, could you?”

Juliet’s fingers trembled against her burning cheek, her breathing heavy with fury.

A beat later, her anger exploded. She raised her hand, ready to strike back.

But she never got the chance.

Aurora’s hand shot up, catching her wrist in mid-air.

At that exact moment, the balcony doors swung open with force.

Xander walked in. His eyes darkened as he took in the scene—the way Aurora firmly gripped Juliet’s wrist, the furious expression on his wife’s face, and the bright red imprint on Juliet’s cheek. His jaw clenched.

His voice came out low and dangerous. “Were you just trying to hit my wife?”

Juliet froze.

But before she could answer, Richard and Patricia stepped onto the balcony as well, their expressions a mixture of shock and disapproval. Their eyes immediately landed on Juliet’s flushed cheek and Aurora’s deadly calm demeanor.

Richard’s gaze hardened.

Patricia’s tone was sharp. “Juliet,” she said coldly. “Were you about to raise your hand against your elder?”

“S-she… h-hit me first!” Juliet stammered.

The balcony door opened again, and Owen stepped out. His eyes widened as he immediately took in the situation. Seeing Juliet’s reddened cheek, his brows furrowed in disbelief.

“What happened?” Owen demanded.

No one spoke.

His mother, Patricia, turned to him, her voice clipped. “Your wife thought she could raise her hand against Aurora.”

Owen’s entire body stiffened.

He turned to Juliet sharply. “Who do you think you are?” His voice was laced with barely concealed fury. He didn’t care what had transpired before his appearance, he was furious.

Juliet lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers nervously.

Xander exhaled deeply, his patience running thin. He placed a protective hand on the small of Aurora’s back and gently took her right hand, examining the slight redness from the slap she delivered. His touch was firm yet tender. “Are you okay?” he asked her, his voice soft.

Aurora nodded, still staring at Juliet with barely concealed disdain.

Satisfied, Xander turned his attention back to Owen. His gaze was sharp as a blade. “An insult to my wife is a slap to my face,” he said smoothly. “And I won’t tolerate that kind of disrespect—especially from a small-town social climber.”

Juliet flinched. She knew exactly who he was referring to.

Owen’s lips parted, as if to say something, but Xander wasn’t done.

“Forget about returning to Dante Group anytime soon,” he said coldly. “Consider this your punishment for not teaching your wife properly.”

Owen stiffened. “Uncle—”

Xander cut him off with a single look.

Patricia, sensing that her son had just lost yet another opportunity, wanted to intervene. But before she could speak, Xander was already leading Aurora back inside, closing the balcony doors behind them.

The cold wind swirled around Juliet as she stood there, humiliated, her face still burning from Aurora’s slap.

Owen’s voice was sharp when he finally spoke. “You just had to open your mouth, didn’t you?”

Juliet bit her lip, not daring to say a word.