CHAPTER 306: CHAPTER 306: PUPPY

Aurora chuckled lightly. "I’m not interested in arguing about who uses whose money. All I know is... at least I’m not a poor Cinderella."

With that, she turned and gently pulled Spencer with her.

Isabella stood there, fists clenched, eyes following Aurora with pure hatred.

Then she turned to her friend and said quietly, "I want everything on her. Her name, her school, her family. I want to know who she is and why she’s rich."

Her friend snorted. "Got it."

Isabella turned and walked out, her heels clicking against the floor. But inside, her thoughts were storming.

’Once I know her weakness, she thought, I’ll crush her. I’ll make her cry tears of blood.’

................

Inside the private room, Spencer and Aurora sat down in silence.

Neither of them spoke.

Aurora looked at the window, her thoughts messy and confused.

Spencer stared at his phone, but he wasn’t typing or scrolling.... just staring blankly.

After a while, Aurora couldn’t take it anymore. She blinked, wiped the small mist in her eyes, and looked at Spencer.

"You okay?" she asked softly.

He didn’t look up.

"Did I... say something wrong?" she asked again.

Spencer nodded slowly.

Aurora’s heart dropped. Her voice grew even quieter. "What did I say that upset you?"

Finally, Spencer put away his phone and turned to her. His voice wasn’t angry, but it wasn’t soft either.

"Were you really planning to introduce me as your puppy?"

Aurora froze.

Spencer looked at her, eyes honest. "I was hoping... you’d introduce me as your boyfriend. But then you called me your puppy. And it felt like I was something you picked up off the street. Something replaceable."

Aurora’s lips parted slightly. She looked guilty. "I didn’t mean it like that," she said, voice full of regret. "I’m sorry."

Spencer shook his head slowly. "I don’t mind being your puppy. I really don’t. I’ll wag my tail for you if that makes you happy."

His words made Aurora chuckle through her guilt.

"But," he continued, "next time... just add that you love me. That I’m your boyfriend too. Not just some accessory you’re keeping for fun."

Aurora finally understood.

It wasn’t the word puppy that hurt him.

It was the fact that she made it sound like he didn’t matter.

Her heart tightened. "You’re not replaceable to me. I mean that. I’m sorry for making it sound otherwise."

Spencer gave her a small nod, but didn’t say anything.

He took a deep breath and said, "Let me explain about Isabella."

Aurora sat up straighter.

"There was a time," Spencer began, "when I needed to form an alliance. I had no better options. Isabella was richer than me and needed support. So I agreed."

Aurora raised her eyebrow. "What about Diana? Wasn’t she a good choice?"

Spencer shook his head. "Diana’s family was a level below mine. They didn’t have the kind of money or power I needed at that time."

He leaned back, looking at the ceiling for a second before continuing.

"I couldn’t form a deal with her. So I looked for someone else. And that’s when I met Isabella. The Hawthorne family is the wealthiest, just above mine. Together, we helped each other. She became number one, and I rose to the top too."

Aurora frowned. "But if her family’s stronger than yours... why would she even need you?"

Spencer nodded. "Good question. The truth is... her family is rich, but they didn’t have any matching allies. My family, thanks to some political connections, suddenly became just as powerful. We balanced each other. It worked."

Aurora crossed her arms, thinking. "Smart plan."

Spencer smiled a little. "Thanks. But I never once took her to my house. I never went on dates with her. I kept my distance the whole time."

Aurora looked at him for a moment longer, then reached over and held his hand.

"I believe you," she said quietly.

Spencer gently squeezed Aurora’s hand back, his expression softening.

"I’m glad you do," he said quietly.

For a while, they just sat there in silence, holding hands.

Then Aurora glanced at him, her eyebrows scrunched. "But... if you two weren’t close, why does Isabella act like she owns you?"

Spencer let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair.

"She’s always been like that," he said. "Isabella doesn’t like losing. She wants to be the best at everything. And if someone else looks like they’re winning... she gets angry."

Aurora frowned. "So she’s not hurt because she liked you. She’s just mad because she didn’t get her way."

"Exactly," Spencer nodded. "To her, I was a trophy. A useful one. Now that I’m with someone else, it messes with her pride."

Aurora shook her head. "She really thinks the world revolves around her."

Spencer chuckled a little. "She does. But you handled her really well out there."

Aurora smiled, though it was a little shy. "You think so?"

"Yeah," he said, looking at her with admiration. "You were calm, cool, and honest. That whole ’I’m not a poor Cinderella’ line? Legendary."

Aurora laughed softly. "I didn’t even plan to say that. It just slipped out."

"Well, I’m glad it did," Spencer said, grinning.

They shared a quiet moment, the air between them warm and full of emotion.

Then Aurora giggled suddenly. "But, just so you know, even if you’re my boyfriend... you’re still my puppy."

Spencer rolled his eyes playfully. "Fine. But only if I’m your favorite puppy."

Aurora leaned her head on his shoulder. "You’re not just my favorite... You’re the only one."

Spencer smiled, and for the first time that evening, his heart felt completely light.

Soon, the door was opened, and a waiter entered asking for their order. Once he finished, he left the room but didn’t forget to close the door.

At least that is what he had shown to others, when in reality, he secretly took out his phone and clicked a picture of Spencer and Aurora.

Once done, he sent it to someone and smiled, "This side hustle is great! I can earn extra cash without working extra hours."