Viscount Zhou and Mason Nightshade’s gazes clashed, sparks flying where their eyes met, until Aurelia appeared between them.

Almost simultaneously, the hostile sparks in their eyes vanished, replaced by tenderness.

"Aurelia..." Mason Nightshade raised his hand, wanting to touch Aurelia Shaw’s hand, but as his fingers were about to brush her hair, he suddenly froze, his fingers stiffly bending before he cautiously touched her head.

Seeing her not refusing, for some reason, Mason Nightshade felt relieved and mocked himself for overthinking.

"Why are you here?" His tone was relaxed, as if it were a casual question.

Viscount Zhou tensed up completely. Mason Nightshade didn’t know that Aurelia Shaw was already aware of his rebirth. Perhaps now he could still playact in front of Aurelia Shaw, but if she found out...

No one knew what would happen.

It was as if Mason Nightshade hadn’t noticed the instant vigilance in Viscount Zhou’s eyes, tenderly looking at Aurelia, indulgently ruffling her hair as usual, then smoothing it.

Otherwise, if her hair got messed up in public, she’d hold a grudge against him again.

"I’m here with the Viscount to see off a friend." Aurelia’s expression was calm, slipping a ticket into Viscount Zhou’s hand, "You can go by yourself, right?"

"Aurelia!" Viscount Zhou gripped her hand, his attitude clear.

She couldn’t go back.

She had been killed by this man once already, how could she return to his side!

In the past life, he hadn’t been able to help her, regretting not risking everything to protect her upon hearing of her death. He didn’t want to be that foolish regretful self again. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Aurelia lowered her eyes, glanced at the hand holding hers tightly, prying it off finger by finger, then turned around to look at him calmly, her eyes devoid of emotion, "Don’t cling to me like a child all the time, it annoys me."

At this moment, Mason Nightshade held her other hand, "Let’s go back, the engagement party is about to start."

"Okay." Aurelia was about to leave, glimpsing Viscount Zhou still intending to follow, she furrowed her brow and said, "From now on, don’t interfere with my matters."

Viscount Zhou’s steps froze, staring blankly as Mason Nightshade led Aurelia away, a certain part of his heart throbbing with a dull ache!

He had said, "If you still consider me a friend, follow my arrangements."

But she had said, "From now on, don’t interfere with my matters."

Her attitude was clear, her tone devoid of reluctance or hesitation.

Was he ultimately the only one caught up in unrequited affections? Was this childhood friendship only something he cared about?

...

In the bustling airport, Viscount Zhou stood for a long while, drawing surprised glances from passersby.

Because on that wild and handsome face, there were tears, crying sorrowfully, as if losing something truly important.

Viscount Zhou cried.

Aurelia didn’t know.

Just like the past life, when Viscount Zhou heard about her death, he cried for an entire day and night until he had no tears left, and Aurelia also didn’t know.

Just like how he loved her, she would never know.

...

Or perhaps she knew, just pretended not to.

...

The car, driving on the road.

Aurelia propped her chin, looking out the window, the memory of Viscount Zhou’s reaction when she left surfaced.

She recalled the consequences of his help in the past life. She had never expected Mason Nightshade to be reborn, the life she thought was a fresh start turned out to be Mason Nightshade’s momentary whim trap.

She and Mason Nightshade’s entangled fate was something only the two of them should bear the consequences of, she didn’t want her important people to be dragged into it.

In this hunting ground, who knew, who would ultimately become whose prey?