Trash Husband, I'm the Top novel Chapter 20

Aurora offered a gentle smile. “I wish you all a brilliant future.”

“Ms. Quinn!” Someone called out, their voice tinged with reluctance. “Are you really leaving?”

She nodded softly. “Yes, I am.”

“But your fragrance line isn’t finished yet…”

It was such a promising project—who knew if it would ever be the same under someone else?

As Aurora finished packing her things, she suddenly looked up across the room.

Eleanor and Daniel stood side by side—Eleanor in a white dress, Daniel in his suit—making quite the striking pair.

But Aurora had no interest in admiring them.

She closed the lid on her box.

Eleanor walked over, her eyes rimmed with red. “Aurora, I never meant to take your position.”

Aurora lifted the box in her arms, her gaze cool and steady. “Whether you meant to or not, it’s yours now.”

Just like Daniel—whether anyone fought for him or not, his heart had already chosen.

“Dan, please… try to persuade Aurora to stay,” Eleanor pleaded softly, turning toward Daniel. “If it’s because of me, I can work somewhere else.”

She bit her lip. “Besides, Aurora is more experienced.”

Daniel’s expression remained calm. He’d wanted to check Aurora’s pride for a while now; there was no way he’d ask her to stay.

“Eleanor, you studied under Ms. Catherine for three years. You’re more than qualified to be head of development.”

His gaze shifted to Aurora. “She’s never had any formal training in perfumery. How could she possibly handle the responsibility of that position?”

The words were just sharp enough, stinging Aurora in front of everyone.

All the color drained from her face, her heart aching as though someone had sliced it open.

She’d always known, deep down, that Daniel valued Eleanor more. She just hadn’t realized he thought so little of her—so little that he could trample her dignity in public.

“Dan, don’t say that. Aurora’s incredibly talented,” Eleanor insisted, a frown creasing her delicate features.

Daniel gave a short, cold laugh. “You’re always worrying about her, but she doesn’t appreciate it.”

He glanced around but didn’t see Aurora, so he asked the housekeeper.

“She’s in the study, sir,” the housekeeper replied promptly.

Daniel headed upstairs.

He pushed open the door and found Aurora curled up in a wicker chair by the window.

She was reading, her long hair cascading over her shoulder, the sunset casting a wash of golden orange across her.

The sight filled the room with a gentle, layered warmth.

Aurora was absorbed in a book on perfumery when, without warning, a shadow fell across her. Daniel leaned in, his breath warm against her lips.

She hesitated for the briefest moment, then calmly turned her head, letting his kiss fall away.

Daniel didn’t seem bothered. He slid his arm under her knees, gently lifting her so he could squeeze into the chair beside her.

It was barely big enough for one person. With both of them wedged together, it felt impossibly close.