PTE

he space was cramped, and money was tight, but they didn't hesitate to welcome Aurora. Jacob, a burly construction worker with kind

rks, her mother's soothing lullabies, and her father's proud, reassuring smiles. The nights were the hardest time for her, she would lie awake in the tiny bedroom she now shared with Harriet's sons, c

air each morning and packed her lunch with loving care. Jacob, in the rare quiet hours after work, built her a small desk out of scrap wood so she could

ra began to

elenting drive to succeed. She excelled in school, her teachers marvelling at her intelligence and work ethi

to scrape by, but she saved every penny. She declined party invitations and ignored the advances of boys who admired her beauty but misunder

rtment, her suitcase in hand. Tears streamed down her fa

pered, her voice breaking. "I promis

tears. "You don't owe us anything, Aurora. Just go

n her shoulder. "You've always

r of her life. Her savings, her mother's locket, and a heart full of det

sities, and earning degrees in business and finance. She pushed her physical limits, training in martial arts until she could disarm

e whispered in elite circles as a rising star in the world of business. Yet, she kept a low profile, crafting a persona that allowed her to mo

rl who had fled her childhood home in tears was now a force to be reckoned with. She

urora shook off the feeli

mured, her voice low and steady. "Jul

cast waving shadows across her face, illuminating the steel in her gaze. She had come full circ

the intensity of the moment. "Is t

e. "Prepare the guest list for the gala. I want e

course. Shall I inc

purpose. "Oh, absolutely. It's time they met Ms. R