Chapter 46: The Weight of Legacy

Chapter 46: The Weight of Legacy

Before Lydia Moore could even take a half step away, she was suddenly pulled back into a chest that smelled faintly of fresh mint. Almost immediately, she heard the devilish Aaron King make a bold declaration in her ear. "Who says there's no one else? From now on, *she* is my assistant. You can leave now."

Assistant? Her? Lydia Moore was so shocked by this sudden decision that she swallowed hard. She wanted to explain to rino that this wasn't her idea, but when she met his fierce gaze—one that seemed capable of tearing her apart—she quickly shrank back. Turning her head, her nose brushed against Aaron King's firm, well-defined chest, causing her face to flush a deep red as her body temperature steadily rose.

"Aaron King, are you kidding? She's just some clueless little girl. What makes her qualified to replace me?" rino was in disbelief. The ever-picky Aaron King had chosen this plain girl, who was so insignificant she wouldn't even catch anyone's eye, to be his assistant? If Aaron was going to replace him, shouldn't it be with a famous assistant, designer, or supermodel? rino couldn't accept that he had lost to someone so ordinary.

"She may not have the experience or the professionalism you have, but an assistant's job is to manage schedules and handle basic tasks. She's strong and capable—much better suited for this than a scrawny freak like you. And one last warning: if you ever try to bother me again, I promise I'll make sure you're erased from the fashion industry. I always keep my promises," Aaron King said, his voice chillingly cruel, his black eyes filled with a dangerous fire. Though his presence exuded an unmatched aura of dominance, it was enough to make rino shudder with fear.

After one last lingering look at Aaron King, rino bit his lip in frustration and finally conceded, "Fine… If you hate me that much, I'll leave." His voice trembled as he forced himself to turn and walk away, though he stopped after a few steps to glance back at Aaron King with teary eyes, whimpering softly before continuing to walk away slowly. It wasn't until a long time later, after repeatedly looking back, that rino finally disappeared from their sight.

"He looked… really pitiful…" Lydia Moore couldn't help but sigh softly at rino's sorrowful retreat. She looked up at Aaron King, only to find that the harshness he had shown earlier had faded, replaced by a gentler expression.

In the golden sunlight, his long, thick eyelashes fluttered softly, casting delicate shadows beneath his eyes, like the wings of a newborn butterfly. His thin lips were slightly pursed, forming a perfect curve. At that moment, his entire figure seemed to be bathed in a soft, golden glow, his profile impossibly handsome, making it difficult to reconcile him with the cold, ruthless boy from earlier. But this brief moment of peace was quickly interrupted by an unexpected comment.

Aaron King noticed Lydia Moore's dazed expression as she stared at him, and he leaned closer, his voice filled with amusement. "Why are you looking at me like a tomato? Don't tell me you're falling for me. Too bad… I'm really not interested in girls who are both dumb and ugly." He sighed in mock disappointment. Having just rid himself of rino, Aaron King was in a great mood, and his tone took on a teasing edge. "If you keep looking at me like that, I might have to consider replacing my assistant again," he added, his voice playful as he lightly brushed her ear, deliberately teasing her taut nerves.

Knowing that he was deliberately teasing her, Lydia Moore quickly pulled away from his arm and looked up in protest. "I never agreed to be your assistant, and I'm not as strong or capable as you think, so I don't meet your requirements," she huffed, still annoyed by the fact that he had described her as "strong and capable."

But realizing that her reaction might have been a bit over the top, she softened her tone and explained, "I have a part-time job at the bakery, so I don't have time to be your assistant. You should find someone more suitable." After all, she reasoned, this was probably just a passing whim for him. There were plenty of people far more qualified for the job; it wasn't as if he absolutely needed her.

So, she's cute when she's angry too, like a little cat showing its claws. Aaron King raised an eyebrow, amused by the changes in her expression. Once she had finished expressing her thoughts, he leisurely replied, "I seem to recall that you said the 'Snow Elf' could grant me one wish. Now I want it to fulfill that wish. Are you going to go back on your word? And I've heard that you've always wanted to become more accomplished—working in the fashion industry would be a whole new challenge, wouldn't it?" His voice was smooth, almost hypnotic, his gem-like eyes gleaming with an enticing light.

Lydia Moore hadn't expected him to invoke the 'Snow Elf' wish against her, leaving her at a loss for words as she stared at him, still trying to process what he had just said.

But before she could gather her thoughts, Aaron King had already pressed a sleek, silver business card into her hand, giving her concise instructions. "Contact him to arrange the details. He'll tell you what you need to do. I'm leaving." With that, he turned and walked away, his every step exuding the natural pride and elegance that came so easily to him. His figure, retreating into the autumn breeze and fallen leaves, was strikingly handsome, and the fresh, captivating scent of him lingered in the air.

By the time Lydia Moore, slow to react, had finally pieced together what had just happened, Aaron King was already out of sight. She wearily held the business card up to her eyes, her mind a blank. Was she really going to become Aaron King's assistant just like that?

The autumn wind swept up the golden leaves, which danced in the air before gently settling back to the ground.

The fresh, cool morning air carried the scent of wet earth and trees, as clouds drifted across a clear blue sky. Sunlight streamed through the white curtains, falling onto the pale green embroidered bedspread. After a while, the phone on the nightstand began to ring, its cheerful tune echoing in the clean, orderly room. The ringtone persisted for several long moments before the bedspread stirred slightly, and a soft, sleepy groan escaped from underneath it.