Chapter 185
Chapter 185:
Elias’s eyes softened instantly. The ice melted.
“Miss Vance,” he said. He didn’t wait for her to come to him. He walked across the room to her. He extended a hand. “We meet again p>
Aurora took it. His skin was warm, rough with calluses from his recent hobbies. He squeezed her hand—once, firmly. A signal. I’m here.
A spark of electricity, familiar and dangerous, shot up her arm.
Aurora pulled her hand away quickly. “Mr. Thorne. Are you lost p>
“Just expanding my portfolio,” Elias said, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. “I thought we could discuss the property lines in the garden p>
“I’ll come too!” Vivian announced, desperate to be included.
Eleanor pushed her daughter forward. “Yes, Vivian has a head for business. She studied at Wharton p>
Elias looked at Aurora. Aurora shrugged. Let her come.
They walked out into the rose garden. The rain had stopped, but the air was wet and heavy.
Vivian walked between them, chattering incessantly. “So, Elias, what do you think of the market trends? I think crypto is so… volatile, right? But dad says it’s the future p>
Elias stopped by a fountain. He turned to Vivian.
“Tell me, Miss Kensington,” he said. “What is your opinion on the impact of algorithmic high-frequency trading on liquidity pools in emerging markets p>
Vivian froze. Her mouth opened and closed. “I’m… Well… Liquidity is… good? We like liquid assets p>
Elias stared at her. Silence stretched. It was painful.
He turned to Aurora. “Miss Vance p>
“High-frequency trading creates artificial liquidity,” Aurora said without missing a beat, picking a dead leaf off a rose. “It narrows the bid-ask spread but increases systemic risk during flash crashes. It’s a house of cards built on nanoseconds. Useful for scalping, dangerous for stability p>
Full updat3z h3r3:
Elias smiled. A real, genuine smile that reached his eyes. “Precisely p>
Vivian turned beet red. She looked from Elias to Aurora, realizing she was completely outmatched. She was a child sitting at the adults’ table.
“I have to check on dinner,” Vivian muttered, and fled back toward the house.
Alone, the atmosphere shifted.
Elias stepped closer to Aurora. He blocked her path, boxing her in against the fountain.
“You bought the house next door,” Aurora accused him.
“I needed a change of scenery,” Elias said.
“You’re insane p>
“I’m focused.” He reached out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her jaw. “Are you safe here, Aurora? Really? I saw the landlord. I saw the press p>
“I handled them,” she said, her breath hitching.
“I know you did. But Julian… that’s different. That’s inside the walls p>
Aurora stiffened. “How do you know about Julian p>
“I see everything,” Elias said darkly. “If you need help… if you need me to extract him p>