NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22: Checking Every Corner
Aurora went to the lobby in her nightdress to get her father, stepmother, and half-sister. As soon as she arrived, Olivia frowned at her.
"What took you so long?" she asked.
Immediately, Stella jumped in, "Why didn't you tell us your apartment number so we can find you ourselves instead of keeping us waiting here? Don't you know it's wrong keeping an important figure like your Dad out here?"
Then suddenly remembering what Olivia had told her earlier, she quickly added, "Are you hiding anything or anyone from us?"
"The elevators can only be accessed with the resident's cards, so even if I informed you of my apartment number, you wouldn't have been able to come up," Aurora explained. "That's why I said to wait so I can come down to get you myself after bathing."
Olivia and Stella eyed her. Truly, she looked and smelled like she had just come right out of the bath, but that wasn't enough proof to clear out their intuition.
"Enough already." Adam shot Stella a glare with a tinge of annoyance. "You like making matters out of nothing."
Stella folded her arms, but not without giving Aurora a heated glance.
Aurora took everyone into the elevator and up to her apartment floor, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. She had tried her best to slow their arrival, but with her stepmother making trouble from the side, she couldn't delay them anymore.
She could only hope that the maids had already left.
As soon as Aurora unlocked her door and went in with her family, the domestic secretary and the two maids that had accompanied her appeared from the corner.
"We will wait here until they leave," she instructed, sighing in relief that they had managed to hide in time before anyone caught sight of them.
On the other hand, Aurora locked the door and walked into her living area with Olivia and Stella leading.
"Aurora, your place is comfortable," Adam said, his gaze wandering around the living area as he walked towards the couch to take a seat before putting the bottle of wine down.
"Thank you, Dad," Aurora replied and went to sit next to him just before her gaze landed on the mother and daughter who chose to remain standing.
Olivia put the fancy bag that contained the food they had come with before turning to Aurora with a smile. "Mum and I love your place and will take a look around if you don't mind." Then without waiting for her approval, she grabbed her mother's hand and left.
Aurora scoffed. How could she not know what those two were up to? Of course, they would immediately start their investigation once they were inside her apartment, and there was no way she would let them do the tour on their own.
What if they steal something?
Immediately, she rose to her feet. "Dad, you can take a look around while I transfer the food into serving plates," she said, picking up the bag Olivia left on the centre table. Adam nodded in understanding and followed her.
While Aurora transferred the food from the takeout containers into serving plates, Olivia and Stella went about opening every shelf in the kitchen, including the refrigerator. When they saw the food store inside, they closed it.
"We will check out your bedroom as well," Stella informed. "Who knows, your sister might want to move out too."
"I will lead the way," Aurora said, leading the way without being asked to. The last thing she would do would be to take her watchful eyes off those two people set to ruin her.
Olivia and Stella could care less as they followed her even though Adam was against their attitude.
Stella claimed they were family and there was nothing to hide. In the end, he could only go with them.
The mother and daughter continued their investigation when they walked into the bedroom but to Aurora's shock, they immediately diverted to her bathroom. Instantly, her eyes grew at the back of her head.
What the hell!
Before she could even ask them what they were going into her bathroom for, their back had already disappeared before her.
Aurora felt a rush of adrenalin as she quickly followed them. She was beyond mad with the mother and daughter overstepping their boundaries. Even Adam was very much uncomfortable when he saw their actions.
"Stella, what are you doing checking every nook and cranny of Aurora's apartment? Are you looking for anything?" He questioned, standing at the room door with deeply furrowed brows.
Stella and Olivia stared at the wet shower area and the mist that was left on the transparent glass before moving their gaze to the soap dish, towel and toiletries left on the sink. Seeing that the bathroom had been used, they stepped out.
Before, Aurora didn't know their true intentions until she went in to see for herself what Xander's team had done. A deep sigh of relief escaped her lips, but she was taken aback at how they could think of setting up the stage as if they knew who she was up against.
Who were these people? When and how on earth did they learn how to do that?
"Why are you so mad?" Stella asked Adam, coming out to meet the scowl sitting on his face. "I just wanted to make sure that Aurora wouldn't need any help with the furnishings otherwise, I'm happy to help."
Adam snorted and turned to leave. Stella and Olivia just followed him.
Everyone sat around the dining table while Aurora served the food. And just as she placed the last bowl of food on the table, she caught Stella touching the surface of the table for dust.
That woman was very dedicated to her task.
"I thought you haven't been at home for some time?" Stella interrogated once Aurora sat down and picked up her spoon. She had asked that question with all confidence and a smile that wasn't really a smile.
At this point, Aurora 100% confirmed that her stepmother had people keeping an eye on her. She almost couldn't believe her situation and nearly let the anger slip from her eyes.
Instead of lying and getting Stella to fix a stubborn and persistent eye on her since she was already aware of the truth, Aurora chose to be honest.
"You are right, I haven't been at home."