Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 48

Chapter 48: No One Was Spared

“Are you trying to shush me? Did I lie?” Stephanie asked, batting her lashes at Stella, who shot her a sharp look, hinting at Adam’s presence.

Stephanie caught the silent warning, but instead of backing down, she leaned into it, a sly smile curling on her lips. “Oh, please. We’re all family here. We all know each other’s secrets. My brother knows exactly when and how his second daughter decided to get her body altered, so why act like it’s a shock now?”

Aurora sat quietly, watching the scene unfold with an odd mix of fascination and discomfort. She had always known Aunt Stephanie had a sharp tongue, but seeing her go after Adam with such casual cruelty was something else. Her aunt didn’t spare anyone.

Adam’s jaw tightened, and his gaze darkened at the reminder of Olivia’s decision to get plastic surgery. The shame of it still lingered, but he didn’t have the opportunity to speak before Stephanie continued.

“Stella,” Stephanie turned her attention fully on her sister-in-law, her tone dropping to something far more serious, “You can’t really blame me for pointing it out. Your daughter is only following in your footsteps. If you hadn’t done the same, how would Olivia have thought of putting foreign implants in her body?”

Stella’s eyes flared with indignation as she shot to her feet, her voice tight with forced politeness. “Sister-in-law, breakfast is served. Let’s not waste any more time.” Without looking back, she hurried out of the room, practically fleeing from the firestorm Stephanie had unleashed.

At the breakfast table, Aurora selected a light meal—a big red apple, three bacon strips, two sausages, and an omelette. She wasn’t hungry, but she knew she needed something in front of her to avoid drawing attention.

She took small bites, chewing slowly, pretending to eat while lost in her thoughts. Each chew felt like a countdown to the inevitable confrontation with her father.

Across the table, Stephanie turned her sharp eyes on Aurora, breaking the brief moment of calm. “Aurora,” she said between bites, “I know someone who would be a perfect match for you. Matteo, the son of one of my best friends, just finished his PhD in Business Administration. He’s about your age and looking to settle down. I’ll arrange for the two of you to meet next weekend.”

Aurora raised her head slowly, meeting her aunt’s gaze with a steady calm. “Aunty, don’t bother. I’m not interested.”

The room went still as Stephanie leaned forward, her brows furrowing in displeasure. “What? You’re rejecting my kind gesture?”

Aurora didn’t flinch, her gaze steady as she picked up her cutlery, pretending to focus on her food. She knew better than to engage with Stephanie when she was in this mood.

Stephanie’s voice hardened, the tension growing. “Now you’re ignoring me?”

Before Aurora could respond, Adam let out a long, tired sigh. “She said she wasn’t interested, Stephanie. Why are you still pushing?”

Stephanie shot him a glare, clearly offended by her older brother’s intervention. She had always been protective of the family’s reputation, and seeing it crumble around her because of Aurora’s scandal was too much to bear. “Why wouldn’t I bother?” she snapped. “Who knows if she’s still hung up on Owen?”

The accusation cut through the room like a blade. Stella and Olivia exchanged quiet glances as a smirk subtly appeared on their faces, happy that the attention had finally been shifted away from them. Thankfully, there was someone else to receive the heat.

“Aurora, you better listen to me,” Stephanie continued, pointing a finger at Aurora. “It’s all your fault that you couldn’t even keep a man and let other vixens steal him away from you.”

Olivia suddenly choked on her food, her face reddening as she reached for her water. She gulped it down, trying to regain her composure while her mother stared in horror at Stephanie.

Why does this woman have to drag us into this drama again? Stella thought, grinding her teeth in frustration.

Stephanie wasn’t done. She turned her attention fully to Olivia, her eyes gleaming with sharp judgment. “Are you choking already? Let me tell you, you haven’t even started. You saw all the men out there, and yet you decided to keep your eyes on your sister’s boyfriend? Did your mother teach you that?”

“Stephanie!” Adam’s voice cut through the tension like a whip, silencing his younger sister instantly. His gaze was steely, his patience clearly worn thin. “Will you let us have breakfast in peace?”

Stephanie recoiled slightly at the force of Adam’s tone, but before she could regain her footing, he added, “And by the way, who invited you over so early? Why are you even here?”

For the first time, Stephanie faltered. She stole a quick glance at Stella, who pretended to be entirely focused on her plate. “I heard about Olivia’s wedding happening soon and was concerned. I also wanted to address the ‘mistress’ rumour surrounding your eldest daughter.”

Aurora’s heart skipped a beat at the word “eldest.” It was a term that held new weight now, ever since her visions and her session with the neuropsychologist. The ground beneath her seemed to shift slightly, reminding her of the confrontation she needed to have with her father.

Adam, however, wasn’t willing to indulge Stephanie any further. He looked at her with a calm, but firm expression. “Let us have our meal in peace, Stephanie. And if Aurora says she’s not interested in the blind date, her ‘no’ stands. Don’t force her.”

Stephanie’s lips thinned into a tight line, clearly wanting to argue, but with one more glance from Adam, she huffed in frustration and turned back to her food, silently fuming.

The rest of breakfast passed in tense silence. After another five minutes, Stephanie stood up, throwing a parting shot over her shoulder at Stella. “It’s not too late to teach your daughter to stop snatching other people’s things. She’s not a thief, after all.”

Stella’s hand flew to her chest, her heart racing from the stress of the morning. Watching her sister-in-law walk away, her eyes darkened with barely concealed rage.

“Thank you for the food.” Adam’s voice broke through the silence as he stood up from the table. Sensing her chance, Aurora quickly rose to her feet, meeting his gaze.

“Dad, I need to talk to you. It’s important.”

Adam studied her face for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly at the intensity in her eyes. “Come with me to the study,” he said, nodding toward the hallway.

As they left the room, Stella exhaled deeply, realizing she had been holding her breath. “I called your aunt here for one reason, and she couldn’t even get the job done,” she muttered in frustration, glancing at Olivia. “Instead, she managed to raise my blood pressure.”

Olivia, still recovering from Stephanie’s sharp tongue, followed Aurora and Adam’s retreating figures with her eyes. “Do you think Aurora is going to complain about Aunt Stephanie to Dad?”

Stella shook her head, refocusing on the moment. “No, I don’t think that’s why she wants to speak to him. She’s been acting strange ever since she arrived. Whatever it is, it’s serious.”

Olivia’s brows knitted together in confusion. “Do you think it has something to do with Owen and the marriage discussions?”

Stella’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “No. Your sister’s upset with your father. And as for why… I intend to find out.” With determination flashing in her eyes, Stella rose from her seat and followed the path to the study, her mind racing with possibilities.