CHAPTER 318: CHAPTER 318: BACKER

A murmur swept through the crowd. The meaning behind his words was impossible to miss.

Isabella did not retreat. She smirked and said, "From your perspective, Aurora must be so innocent she might as well be a Mary Sue."

Behind Alex, Aurora heard the remark and waited for him to respond. She knew he would not let such a jab pass. Sure enough, his voice came a moment later, calm but firm.

"Even if she is not a Mary Sue," he said, "I would never wish my sister to become one like you."

The jab landed cleanly. Isabella’s lips twitched slightly, but she kept her composure. She spoke again, her voice smooth, almost amused.

"Alex," she said calmly, "you are becoming far too arrogant. You should watch yourself. In the next second, you might lose your backer."

At those words, Alex’s face lost a touch of its color. He understood exactly what she was implying.

She was threatening him, warning that she could have his financial support pulled at any moment. Without that backing, his company might not survive.

He clenched the wine glass in his hand, but his stance did not shift.

He stayed in front of Aurora, blocking her from the stares of the crowd. Even if he lost everything tonight, he was not going to let his sister be dragged into this fight.

In the back of his mind, one thought troubled him. Would Ms. Dawn, his investor, really pull out her support under pressure from Victor Hawthorne? The possibility made his heart beat harder, but still he did not move.

For six months, Aurora had brought him the warmth of a family he had never known. If he had to pay for that by losing his business, so be it.

Before he could say anything, Aurora stepped out from behind him. Her smile was calm, her posture steady. She looked directly at Isabella.

"You do not need to worry," Aurora said. "Alex’s backer will definitely not withdraw their investment."

The statement hit the room like a spark. Heads turned, eyes widened. Isabella’s gaze sharpened.

Whispers began almost immediately, though they were more like taunts than quiet comments. Some people laughed under their breath, others openly smirked.

"As long as Victor tells Ms. Dawn to back away, she will," someone said loudly enough for several others to hear.

"Of course," another agreed. "Everyone knows Ms. Dawn is behind Alex. If Victor makes the call, who knows if Alex’s company will even survive the month."

"His latest project will be doomed," another voice added. "It would be smart for him to keep quiet."

More laughter followed.

"She is even more ignorant than her brother," a man said. "Does she really think she understands the undercurrents in this room?"

Aurora did not look away from Isabella. Isabella gave a short laugh and said, "Aurora, you should stay back if you do not understand the business world."

Aurora shook her head slightly, her smile unwavering. "Ms. Dawn will not withdraw the investment," she said again, her tone certain.

Behind her, Alex’s voice came quietly. "Stay behind me, Aurora. Do not say another word."

He knew the risk. If she was wrong, if Ms. Dawn truly did pull out, every person here would turn on her.

Mateo, standing near the side, frowned deeply. "Aurora, this is not your place to speak," he scolded. "Step back and let Alex handle it."

Aurora did not even glance his way. Instead, she took Alex’s hand in hers. Her voice was warm but firm. "I will see who dares to take away my brother’s support."

The crowd erupted into more laughter.

"Arrogant," someone muttered.

"She really has no idea what she is doing," another sneered.

But Alex’s heart gave a small jolt when he heard her call him brother. The word sank deep, chasing away the cold knot of fear in his chest. For a moment, even the looming threat over his company felt less heavy.

So what if he lost it all? At least he had her by his side. That was worth more than any business could give him.

He had never been a man with great ambitions. The only thing he had truly wanted was a warm family.

He had built his company not out of personal desire for power, but to repay Mary and the family who had taken him in, to provide them with security.

If protecting Aurora meant sacrificing the company, then that was a price he would gladly pay.

He tightened his grip on her hand and looked forward, saying nothing.

Isabella’s lips curved into a slow smile, her eyes full of challenge. "Aurora, you are far too arrogant," she said softly, though her voice carried across the room.

"You need to learn that there is always someone more powerful than you."

Aurora’s smile did not fade. Instead, she gave a short laugh that made a few people nearby glance at her in surprise. "If that is the case," she said calmly, "then why not show me?"

Her words hung in the air for a moment. The crowd seemed to grow even more curious, and a few people leaned forward, eager to see what would happen next.

Isabella’s smirk deepened. "Very well," she said, turning her head slightly toward her father. "Father, would you like to show her?"

Victor Hawthorne’s sharp eyes flicked toward Aurora for a moment before returning to his daughter.

He gave a quiet chuckle, the kind of sound that suggested complete confidence in his own power. "Of course I will," he said smoothly.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. The light from the screen glinted faintly in the bright room. Without hesitation, Victor tapped on a contact. The crowd watched in near silence, and many people began whispering to each other.

"Who do you think he is calling?" someone murmured.

"It must be someone important," another replied. "Maybe he is already contacting Ms. Dawn."

The name "Ms. Dawn" spread quickly through the murmurs, and people began to look at Alex with pity or curiosity. It was no secret that Ms. Dawn was Alex’s biggest investor.

If Victor could convince her to withdraw her investment, Alex’s company would be left hanging by a thread.