Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Chapter 460: Asher vs. Denis Vukic Asher searched for her the entire night. Aurora's phone was on silent, so no one answered despite his countless calls. He was frantic.

The moment Aurora called him, he picked up instantly. Hearing how quickly he answered filled her with guilt. "Sorry, Ashy, I'm at the hospital." "The hospital? Did your stomach act up again?" Asher's voice was filled with concern, recalling the one the'd seen her suffer from a severe stomach issue.

Back then, Aurora had pushed herself to the brink, working tirelessly to grow her company. Sleepless nights and irregular meals had taken their toll, triggering a painful episode that had left Asher terrified. From that day forward, he never let her overwork herself to the point of harm.

Thinking back to her weak voice on the phone last night, he realized she must have been unwell even then. Damn it. He hadn't noticed. Yesterday had been a whirlwind- meetings, business calls, and an urgent conference- so he'd hurriedly ended their call without a second thought.

"Don't worry, Ashy. My condition has stabilized," Aurora quickly reassured him, knowing his tendency to shoulder all blame.

"As long as you're stable. Which hospital? I'm coming over." Aurora hesitated. She worried he hadn't slept all night and wanted to let him rest, but knowing he wouldn't be at peace until he saw her, she obediently gave him the address.

Twenty minutes later, Asher burst into the hospital room. But Aurora wasn't alone. Beside her bed sat a man in a crisp white shirt.

From afar, the man almost resembled Julian. Had Julian flown over overnight? No, that didn't seem possible. Asher stepped closer and realized it wasn't Julian but someone else-a familiar face.

It was Denis Vukic. Though they had never spoken directly, Asher had seen him before.

Denis held a bowl of porridge, carefully blowing on it to cool it down before offering it to Aurora. Asher's brows furrowed. He remembered hearing about how Aurora's suitcase had been mixed up with someone named Denis Vukic. At the time, he'd dismissed it as mere coincidence. But now, seeing Denis in person, things didn't seem so simple.

So this was the man Aurora had encountered. He must have been the one who lived across the hall and noticed her unwell state, bringing her to the hospital.

If Denis had only brought a sick stranger to the hospital out of goodwill, Asher wouldn't have minded. But Denis had stayed all night-and now he was feeding her porridge. That was the real issue.

Denis Vukic wasn't the type to waste time. He was as cold and detached as a block of ice, and with his busy schedule, it seemed unlikely he'd go out of his way for just anyone.

It didn't take Asher long to figure it out. Denis had feelings for Aurora.

Other women might not evoke such thoughts in him, but Aurora was different. Asher knew better than anyone that Aurora had a unique charm-one that drew people in, making it impossible not to fall for her.

At first, it might start as admiration or curiosity. But once that thought took root, it was dangerous. Because it was only a matter of tbefore it grew into love.

She was like a rare flower blooming on a cliff's edge-every man who saw her wanted to pluck her and keep her close, shielding her from the eyes of others.

And once again, Asher hadn't kept a close enough eye on her. When she first returned to Clothville, Julian had swept her off her feet. Now, after just a flight, she had met Denis Vukic. Even someone as icy as Denis was willing to stay by her side without complaint.

"Ashy, you're here." Aurora's voice brought him back to the present. She smiled at him as he walked in, still wearing the ssuit from the previous night. Clearly, he hadn't slept.

"How are you feeling? You've only been here a couple of days, and your stomach's already acting up. If your number one butler finds out, he'll probably fly here to fight me." Asher's tone was teasing, though his sharp gaze flicked toward Denis.

If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Even before facing Denis directly, Asher deliberately mentioned Julian. For someone smart, there was no need to explain; a simple hint was enough.

"Don't worry, I just overate last night. Please don't tell Julian, or I'll be doomed." Aurora, for once, showed genuine fear, quickly trying to appease Asher.

"And this is...?" Asher feigned ignorance, pretending not to recognize Denis.

"Oh, he's..." Aurora began to introduce them, but Denis stood up, extending his hand.

"Denis Vukic," he said, his tone firm and polite, his cold eyes scanning Asher from head to toe.

For Denis, Julian was a clear contender for Aurora's affection. But Asher? The memory of Asher hugging Aurora at the airport still lingered in his mind. What was their relationship? Denis couldn't help but feel an instinctive dislike for Asher. Watching Aurora's playful tone with him-it was obvious their bond wasn't ordinary.

"Asher. I'm this little fox's guardian," Asher replied simply, shaking Denis's hand. He didn't introduce himself as a CEO but rather emphasized his role in Aurora's life.

Aurora's pale face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm not a child! What guardian? Mr. Vukic, don't listen to him." The two men, equally handsand imposing, shook hands. But neither let go, their grips tightening in silent competition.

Even Aurora, usually oblivious to tension, noticed the sparks between them. "Um... how long do you two plan to hold hands?" she asked awkwardly.

Finally, they released their grips, each casually hiding their reddened hands behind their backs. The marks on their palms revealed how much force they'd used.

"What exactly is your relationship?" Denis asked, breaking the silence.

"Ashy? He's my best friend, business partner, and family-my one and only family," Aurora replied with a warm smile.

Her words comforted Asher and yet left him helpless. Family meant, permanence, but it also meant he ence, but it NO could never be her lover. If there was even the slightest chance, he wouldn't want to be her "family." "So, you're just family," Denis said, his tone laced with subtle provocation. If they were merely family and not lovers, Asher had no right to act so close to her.

Asher caught Denis's underlying meaning. This man definitely had designs on Aurora.

"Yes, family. We've built a life together, worked side by side, shared meals, and even slept under the serie and even slext Godede, shar sroof. Closer than family, wouldn't you say?" Asher's emphasis on "slept" wasn't accidental. It was the stactic he'd once used to drive Hayden to the brink of madness. Only Julian had managed to stay composed, deflecting his taunts with ease.

Denis's expression grew colder. Aurora, still unaware of the silent battle between the two men, apologized softly. "Ashy, I'm sorry for worrying you again."

"What's there to apologize for? As long as you're healthy, I'm happy" Asher gently brushed her messy hair behind her ear, the gesture so natural it was clear he'd done it countless times before. Denis's dark eyes deepened as he picked up the bowl of porridge, scooping a small spoonful and lifting it toward Aurora.

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