Chapter 251
“Alaric?”
Stellan called out as she noticed Alaric freeze, his expression caught between surprise and confusion.
Alaric blinked, as though snapping back to the moment. “Rowena Blaire?” he muttered, still puzzled.
Stellan glanced from Rowena’s photo to Alaric, searching for an answer. “Do you know her?”
“Is she a singer?” Alaric asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Stellan, not familiar with many celebrities, quickly pulled up Rowena’s information online. As the page loaded, her eyes widened.
“She’s a singer and songwriter,” Stellan read aloud. “She’s written songs for some famous artists, and her album from last year was a huge hit. She’s currently one of the hottest female singers in the industry.”
So she really was a singer, Stellan thought, surprised.
“Do you know her?” Stellan asked again, this time more insistently.
Alaric hesitated, his brow furrowed. “Cormac’s ex-girlfriend was named Rowena Blaire. He said she loved singing, but I never met her, so I can’t say for sure if it’s the same person.”
Stellan’s eyes widened. “Cormac’s ex, the one he’s still hung up on?” She looked at Rowena’s photo again, as if trying to find something familiar in the image.
Alaric sighed, rubbing his temples. “I’m not sure if it’s her. It could just be a coincidence.” But even as he said it, the thought of Cormac lingered in his mind. He closed the browser window, feeling a wave of guilt wash over him.
“Even if it’s a coincidence, it could be fate,” Stellan suggested, her voice light but sincere. “Why not choose her?”
Alaric considered it for a moment before nodding. “Alright. I’ll go with your choice.” He picked up his phone and dialed Silas. “Tell them the female ambassador will be Rowena Blaire. The male one can be anyone.”
“Got it, Mr. Knight.”
As Alaric hung up, a distant look came over his face. “I wonder how Cormac is doing now…” he murmured. He had always felt a twinge of guilt about his relationship with Cormac, unsure of how to make things right.
Meanwhile, Cormac was lying on a damp sofa, his mind a whirl of thoughts, his eyes glued to his phone. Two headlines caught his attention:
“The Knight Group’s entertainment complex will have its grand opening on the 6th of next month. Free admission on opening day, limited spots, first come first served!” The comments were full of praise for Alaric’s generosity and excitement about the opening.
The second headline read: “Former Nash Group President Griffon, charged with attempted murder, tax evasion, and other crimes, will go to trial next month. Legal experts predict a life sentence.” The comments were celebratory, applauding the justice being served.
The juxtaposition of these two stories felt like a slap in the face to Cormac. The Knight Group’s success contrasted sharply with his own fall from grace. And though Griffon had been arrested, Cormac had distanced himself from him, unable to bear visiting the man or confronting his past.
His phone buzzed with a message from Aurora, snapping him out of his thoughts. “Cormac!” she called, her voice breaking through the silence of the room.
Cormac locked his phone and looked up at her.
Aurora was holding something behind her back, and she smiled brightly as she presented it to him. “Look at this!”
Cormac glanced at the test paper she handed him. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw the scores and the overall ranking. Aurora had gotten first place.
“Aurora, you’re amazing!” Cormac’s voice was filled with pride. Aurora had always been a model child—responsible, academically brilliant, and a constant source of pride for him.
“It’s not bad,” she said, her tone modest. She carefully put the paper away and added, “Cormac, I’m about to start a part-time job.”
CORMAC’S EYES narrowed. “You’re too young to work. We have enough savings. I’ll enroll you in a class during the vacation. Everyone is learning all kinds of things these days—music, painting, dance… What do you like?”
Aurora frowned slightly, looking reluctant. “I can learn those things online. No need to spend money. I can already dance and draw.”
Cormac’s expression softened as he gently ruffled her hair. “You’re great at academics, but I don’t want you to fall behind in other areas. You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself.”
Aurora smiled faintly. “I just want to help out at a restaurant. It’s not tiring.”
Cormac’s heart tightened. He understood how hard it had been for her—how much she had sacrificed for him. But this was a side of her he didn’t want to see.
“If I work at a restaurant, I can secretly learn cooking from the chefs and make food for you,” Aurora said, a playful glint in her eyes.
Cormac chuckled softly, but his heart ached. “I can cook now. I’ll make food for you. You don’t need to work yourself so hard.”
In the past, Cormac had been pampered, too spoiled to do anything for himself. But now, with Aurora’s help, he had been learning to cook. It wasn’t great, but it was edible.
“No need,” Aurora said gently. “I’ll cook. You need to rest after everything.”
Cormac smiled warmly, grateful for her thoughtfulness. She was the best thing to have happened to him. And yet, he couldn’t shake the sorrow that clung to him like a second skin. Matthew’s death had left a permanent hole in his heart, one that was only partially filled by his daughter’s love.
Aurora’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Did you see the news? The biggest entertainment center is opening, and admission is free on the first day. Let’s go together, okay?”
Aurora’s classmates were all talking about it, and many were planning to go. With summer vacation coming up, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.
An entertainment center?
Cormac had been against the idea when Alaric first proposed it. He’d feared it would attract Alaric’s old enemies, but now, looking back, he realized how ridiculous that fear had been. When had Alaric’s business ever been his concern?
“I’m not going,” Cormac said firmly, his voice cold.
Aurora frowned, confused. “Why not? It’s the biggest entertainment complex in the country, with so many fun things, including a science museum. And it’s free on opening day! After that, it’ll be expensive.”
“I said I’m not going,” Cormac repeated, his tone sharp.
The sudden harshness of his voice startled Aurora. She stood there, unsure of what to do or say, staring at him in stunned silence.