Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

I was dumbfounded when I saw the so-called makeup bag.

Was this suitcase-sized thing really a makeup "bag"?

When Aurora opened it, I almost dropped my jaw.

The inside of the lid had a large mirror, and the box was filled with so many makeup products that it was overwhelming.

Aurora looked at Faye and gave a faint smile. "If you don't want to show your scars, would you be willing to trust me this once?"

Faye was also stunned by the sight.

Aurora glanced at her watch and said gently, "It won't take long, just ten minutes."

Faye, had no other choice but to hold onto a glimmer of hope and trust.

But perhaps realizing her earlier attitude was poor and now needed help. She felt a bit embarrassed.

Aurora didn't seem to mind, motioning for her to come over, pulling her to sit by the bed, and after examining her face, she began to pick up the makeup tools. Aurora's expression was very serious as she applied the makeup, and her movements were quick and professional.

While waiting for Faye's makeup to be done, I couldn't help but curiously examine the enormous makeup bag.

Under normal circumstances, who would carry such a large makeup bag? It was practically a portable vanity.

As I examined the makeup bag, my gaze unintentionally fell on the magazine Aurora had been reading at earlier. It was a fashion magazine.

So, although Aurora didn't look young, she wasn't out of touch.

In the ward, the only sounds were Aurora occasionally picking up and putting down items.

Because of Aurora's serious attitude, applying the makeup felt like she was completing a piece of art. So we were all afraid to disturb her.

When she finished, she immediately checked her watch and smiled. "Exactly ten minutes. You can look in the mirror now."

Faye gently touched the scar on her face, nervously looking at the mirror on the makeup box, and her eyes widened.

The scar had been transformed into three sparkling arcs, each adorned with rhinestones that went from large to small. Not only did the scar disappear, but the sparkling effect made her already beautiful features even more striking. "How is it?" Aurora asked with a smile, seeing Faye's speechless expression.

Faye held her face, looking at herself in the mirror in disbelief. And after a while, she gently nodded. "So this is what you meant. At first, I thought... I'm sorry."

Aurora, being a magnanimous person, smiled faintly.

"A woman's beauty can be achieved through makeup, which can cover some flaws, but inner temperament is also very important. Why do some women who aren't particularly stunning still stand out? It must be because of an inner quality that shines through."

I think I understood what Aurora meant.

Just like her, although she no longer had Faye's youth, she had a charm that made her beauty seem undiminished by time, with a grace and depth that young girls couldn't imitate.

I wasn't sure if Faye truly understood, but she said, "Thank you."

Aurora smiled and nodded. "Hurry up, don't be late. No matter how high you go, even if you become a top star, punctuality is a basic courtesy."

Aurora exuded charm in her demeanor and words. She was definitely not a simple woman.

Faye's face was now filled with excitement that she couldn't hide. Aurora's makeup skills were nothing short of miraculous, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary. "Ethan, I'm afraid I won't make it in time. Can you give me a ride?" Faye asked Ethan.

Ethan, who had been silent, looked at me.

I wasn't sure if Ethan was seeking my opinion, but if I didn't let him take her, would he really not go? He would just think I was unreasonable, right?

I said, "She's almost out of time. Hurry up and take her."

I knew that if he was unwilling to stay, no matter how hard I tried to prevent them from being alone together, it wouldn't work.

After they left, I also prepared to go.

Aurora said to me, "Miss, if it's convenient, could you leave your number? When I get out of the hospital, I want to treat you to a meal."

I quickly waved my hand. "No need. What I did was nothing. Anyone with a conscience would have done the same."

Aurora smiled at me. "But out of all the people passing by, it was you who helped me. Doesn't that mean we have a kind of fate?"

Aurora's words weren't forceful, but they had a compelling power that was hard to refuse.

In the end, we exchanged numbers.

Aurora noticed my hand was bandaged and asked what happened. I told her it was a burn.

She immediately took out an ointment from her large makeup box and handed it to me. "Use this. It's very effective for burns and won't leave a scar."

I accepted the ointment and thanked her.

At that time, I still didn't know Aurora's identity.

After leaving the ward, I called Bella, and we agreed to meet at Sunset Plaza. Less than ten minutes after I arrived, she rushed over, noticed my bandaged hand, and looked shocked. She immediately asked what happened, so I told her everything from last night to this morning.

Bella cursed, "What a bitch. I always knew that girl had ulterior motives. The way she looks at your husband is just like how Andrea, that mistress looked at my dad when she was seducing him. She pretends to be innocent. Emily, you've got more experience than her; don't let her win."

I sighed dejectedly. "It's not about whether I let her win or not. If she's really that skilled and wins, there's nothing I can do about it, right?"

Bella was even more anxious than I was, looking at me with frustration. "The battle's just started, and you're already boosting her morale while undermining your own. Don't be foolish. If Ethan sleeps in the study, you should too. Wherever he is, you should be there. If you don't go, what if she does? Don't push him into her arms. Taking her in was smart, but don't mess it up now."

My intention in taking her in was to keep the situation within my control.

Thinking back, I did lose my cool a bit last night.

I said, "Don't worry. She won't get too far."

Bella suddenly seemed to have a good idea and smiled, putting her hand on my shoulder. "Your hand is injured now, so you can't do anything. Since she wants to show off and act virtuous, let her do it. Cooking, laundry, cleaning-leave it all to her. If she can't handle being treated like a servant, she'll move out on her own. If you're not the one to kick her out, Ethan won't have a leg to stand on."

I shook my head. "I never intended to treat her like a servant. Ethan says she's a poor girl, and he feels sorry for her. Regardless of what kinds of feelings he held to her, if I treat her like a servant, won't that just make Ethan unhappy with me?" Bella thought for a moment and probably felt I had a point. She said, "Emily, just be smart about it. Don't think that sleeping in separate rooms means everything is fine. Never do something as foolish as sleeping apart again. Arthur's situation is a lesson. Making a mistake once is naive, but making the same mistake twice is just foolish."

Yes, under the same roof, separated by just a wall, he still managed to cheat. Because I was foolish.

Bella was right; I couldn't make the same mistake twice.

I had planned to have a meal with Bella, but then I suddenly received a call from my driving instructor Michael Lopez. His voice on the phone almost burst my eardrums.

"Emily, do you think the driving school is your backyard? You come and go as you please?"

I held the phone away from my ear and waited for him to finish venting before bringing it back and apologizing, "I'm sorry. I've had some family issues these past few days. I'll come over right away."

After hanging up, I quickly said goodbye to Bella and took a cab to the driving school.

Given how fierce he was on the phone, I couldn't imagine how much worse it would be in person.

I got out of the cab at the driving school entrance and walked in. Many cars were practicing on the lot. Michael spotted me immediately and strode over.

Seeing his fierce expression, I worried he might eat me alive and quickly raised my hand in surrender. "I'm sorry. My hand was injured, so I couldn't come these past few days."

Shamelessly, I hoped my injured hand would earn me some sympathy and lessen the scolding.

Michael's tall figure loomed over me, hands on his hips, looking like he was about to give me a thorough scolding. But seeing my injury, he just grumbled.

"You're just slacking off."

"I'm sorry."

What else could I say but apologize?

A lot had happened recently. Spending two days in Sunhaven City was just the start. Then Ethan had a stomach bleed and was hospitalized for a few days, and then Bella had an incident. It seemed like there was never a moment of peace, so my driving practice got delayed.

"You should speak gently to women."

A familiar voice suddenly reached my ears.

I looked up and felt a chill down my spine.