Aurora's POV
The night was the worst as usual. Without the help of medicine, I had never been able to sleep for the past four years. The struggles were endless—the pains, the betrayals, the sufferings, the humiliations. Yet, here I am, standing at the top of the real estate industry in Eldoria. Not just as a leader, but as someone respected.
When I came downstairs, Ayla was already dressed for preschool. She looked like a little doll, munching on her favorite muffins. It was a sight that made my day instantly brighter.
She saw me and beamed. "Mommy, good morning!"
"Good morning, my little muffin."
"You know what? This vanilla muffin is the best muffin I ever had!"
"You always say that, naughty girl. What's with you and your vanilla obsession?"
"I love the vanilla flabour, Mommy!"
I chuckled at her mispronunciation.
"So, you don't love me? You only love vanilla?" I teased.
"No, Mommy! I love Mommy and vanilla the most!" she declared, hugging me tightly.
Why can't the world stop as it is? Isn't this happy moment enough to freeze time? I thought.
After dropping her off at preschool, her teacher, Emica, greeted us. "Good morning, Ms. Adkins. Did you enjoy your ice cream date with your mommy?"
Ayla beamed. "Yes! I love spending time wif Mommy!"
She ran inside, waving. "Bye, Mommy! Love you!"
She formed a tiny heart with her fingers above her head. I did the same and smiled as I left for the office.
As I walked in, my employees greeted me with polite bows and warm good mornings. I nodded in acknowledgment.
That's when Susan Jones, my trusted sales director, walked into my office with her usual beaming smile.
"Good morning, Ms. Adkins. I have good news for you."
"With you coming to my office, Susan, it's always good news."
She grinned. "We've secured a billion-dollar project with Drakos Corporation."
I smirked. "That's my Susan."
Drakos Corporation was one of the top businesses in Eldoria, owned by the powerful Drakos family. Their entire lineage was complicated and secretive. Only a few members—Damian Drakos, Samuel Drakos, and their father, Hector Drakos were known to the public. The rest remained hidden from the world.
This project was a major success for us. We owned a prime piece of land in the heart of the city, which I'd heard they planned to use for a luxury mall.
It was a massive deal for them as well. The Drakos heir had taken over the corporation six years ago and had made waves in various cities of Zhephondor and overseas. Yet, no one knew his face or his name. His father, Mathew Drakos, had disappeared from the public eye over twenty-five years ago.
There were rumors that this project would be his grand public debut.
No wonder they reached out to us, I mused, a smirk tugging at my lips.
"Susan, make sure there are no errors in this project. It's crucial not just for us, but for them as well."
"No worries, Ms. Adkins. Our entire team, along with top legal experts, is on it. If needed, we'll consult Mr. Madoc."
"No, Theodore will be on a business trip for a month regarding his restaurant expansion. If anything comes up, reach out to me—I'll be available."
She nodded, thanked me, and briskly left the office.
I leaned back in my chair, fingers tapping lightly on the desk.
A billion-dollar project.
A Drakos heir making his first move in Eldoria.
A high-stakes deal that would put us at the center of attention.
What I didn't expect was that the elusive heir of Drakos Corporation would be someone I had already clashed with.