12

Natalie stood frozen in the middle of the spacious living room. The woman, who was already past fifty, still retained the beauty of her youth, but now her usually elegant face was hardened by pent-up anger. Her teary eyes stared at Amelie with an unreadable expression, hinting at longing. "Aaron, what is the meaning of all this?" Natalie's voice trembled, her tone rising as she pointed at Amelie with a trembling finger. "You brought her here, to this house? You gave her the position of Mrs. Vargas? You really want to insult the memory of my daughter?" Aaron did not release his embrace around Amelie's waist. He stood tall, radiating the cold aura he usually used to silence his business opponents. "What business did you have coming to this mansion without informing me first?" Aaron asked, ignoring Natalie's emotional outburst. His voice was flat, without pretense. Natalie snorted in disbelief. She glanced at the suitcases that had just been brought in by the servants, realizing that t