Alexander Graystone

Aurora remained silent and only focused on the road as the car sped toward the Graystone family's main house.

She lacked the energy to engage in conversation and felt thankful that Alex understood her need for quiet. 

However, just before they arrived, Alex broke the silence. 

"Why are you still mad at me, Rory? I'm ready to go home, just like you always wanted. You should be happy, right?" 

Alex was hesitant to return to his parents' house because he knew the family dinner was part of his mother's plan to arrange another marriage for him. He felt too exhausted to handle yet another proposal.

To end his mother's schemes, he decides to tell them tonight that he has already married his business partner's daughter.

"Unbelievable! Now you're ignoring me too, Rory!?" he chuckled, noticing she remained silent and seemingly ignored his question.

"Alex, if I had the luxury to be angry with you, I would have expressed it the moment you sat next to me!" 

Aurora wanted to say, but the words caught in her throat. She gritted her teeth and gripped the steering wheel tightly, choosing to ignore him.

Although she wanted to scold him, she couldn't express her feelings and frustrations in front of him because her primary duty was to be his assistant.

Her friends often referred to her as "Alex's maid," and she never denied it; that was indeed her role in Alex's life.

She managed all his personal needs at home, serving as his butler. 

She could step in as his secretary in the office if his actual secretary was unavailable.

She is also able to serve as his driver or bodyguard when needed.

Since childhood, she had never been able to choose her destiny. 

Like her father, grandfather, and ancestors, she was born to serve as the assistant to the future head of the Graystone family. 

Everyone in her family, both male and female, had been devoted to the Graystones for many decades. Her fate was sealed as she was an only child. 

With such a long line of history, she felt powerless to escape her fate. 

"I'm not mad, sir," Aurora replied gently, avoiding his gaze. Her eyes remained focused on the road ahead.

Alex frowned as he watched her. After a few more minutes, he shook his head helplessly. 

"Rory, please, you can drop the formalities. This is an order!" he demanded. 

Aurora remained silent but nodded. 

"Now, tell me why you look so upset with me. Usually, you don't mind when my mother scolds you, but today seems different. Did she hurt your feelings?" 

Taking a deep breath, Aurora finally turned to Alex as the car stopped at the last traffic light before heading to Pine Hill, his family's estate.

"This isn't about your mother. It's about you, Alex..." 

Alex raised an eyebrow, surprised by her response. 

"Me? Why me?" he asked, clearly confused. 

"Yes, you..." A wry smile appeared at the corner of her lips before she turned her gaze back to the road ahead. 

"Didn't I apologize to you? And follow your wishes—go home?" he asked, his voice full of confusion as he struggled to understand why this woman was still upset. 

Aurora hesitated before responding. "You did. But do you know what day it is?" 

"Why do you ask? I know it's Friday. Am I right?" 

Aurora found herself at a loss for words. 

'What do I expect from someone like you, Alexander? You don't even remember my birthday after all these years—' She lost the energy to continue the conversation and fell silent the rest of the way. 

As Aurora pressed the brakes, she turned to him. 

"Sir, we've arrived." 

Without waiting for a response, she immediately exited the car. After opening the car door for him, she stood by the vehicle, waiting for him to step out. 

She lowered her gaze to avoid eye contact, worried he might see her emotions. 

"Damn it! Why didn't you answer me, Rory!?" Alex snapped as he got out of the car. 

When he noticed Aurora was avoiding eye contact, he ran his hand through his hair, annoyed. 

Standing before her, he called out her name in a deep, commanding tone. 

"Aurora Moon!" 

He rarely raised his voice when speaking to her, but her attitude pushed him to lose his patience tonight. 

Aurora was stunned. She quickly looked up, surprised to meet his intense gaze. 

At that moment, she realized that the man before her was no longer Alex; he was her Master, Alexander Graystone. 

"Master, I beg you to come inside hurriedly. You're already late, sir. It's unwise to keep your mother waiting for you..." she said politely, lowering her gaze again. 

"YOU—" Alex's anger intensified. 

He hated it when Aurora called him "Master," but hearing her words prompted him to set aside his irritation. 

"Give me your phone!" 

"Master? Why—" 

"Give me your fucking cell phone, Aurora Moon!" 

He raised his hand, waiting for her to hand it over. 

Although Aurora didn't understand his intentions, she still handed her phone to him. 

Alex held her cell phone in front of her face and scanned it. Once it unlocked, he searched her contact list.

When Aurora realized what he was doing, she was shocked. 

"Alex, what are you doing? Why did you block your mother's number?" 

Alex ignored Aurora's question. Instead, he returned the phone to her and warned, "Don't try to unblock her. This is my order!" 

"But, Master, your mother will surely kill—" 

"Aurora Moon, you need to remember! You're working for me, not my mother. And you need to put that in your mind every step of the way." 

Seeing his fierce gaze, she felt all her words had betrayed her. She opened her mouth, wanting to refute him, but no words came out.

Her hand clenched into a tight fist. She felt frustrated and wanted to express her emotions but couldn't because she knew his words were valid—she only worked for him; he was her master.

"Do you understand what I said?" Alex asked again, demanding an answer. 

"Yes, Master. I understand." Her voice was barely audible, but it was clear enough for Alex to hear. It annoyed him that she kept calling him "Master." 

"Oh, for fuck sake! You're still calling me master. Alright, forget it. You wait here. I won't be long," Alex instructed, stomping his feet and taking long strides toward the main door. 

Aurora stood still, holding her breath. 

Once Alex's back disappeared behind the door, she finally exhaled deeply, relieved. She clenched her hand tightly as she got into her car. 

Aurora had never felt this way before, but somehow, tonight, all the emotions she had bottled up began to torment her inside. 

'Damn it, Rory! You are such a fool. How could you lose control in front of him?' She vented her frustration in her mind.

...

Aurora took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to calm her mind. However, her cell phone buzzed and she saw a new text from Renata.

"Rory, we're still waiting for you at the café. You haven't blown out your birthday candles yet." 

She wanted to return to the café immediately, but Alex's furious expression made her hesitate. She closed her eyes again to calm her mind.

However, shortly after, she faintly heard a knock and a familiar voice calling her name.

"Rory—" 

Turning to the side, she noticed a thin man with gray hair standing outside her car.

"Dad—"