Chapter 1143
Now, unease rippled through the crowd. The guests didn’t know what to say, especially those senior executives who had followed Grace for years—they all thought her decision was utterly foolish. This had clearly been a winning game, yet she had forced it into a losing move. If she had simply continued to favor her younger daughter, the company’s future projects would have been endless. From below the stage, the major shareholders signaled frantically for her to stop. But in that moment, Grace didn’t want to hear anyone’s advice–nor could she. After so many years of playing along with these old men, she no longer wanted to be their puppet.
That wasn’t who she really was, and she was tired of it. Aurora suddenly spoke up, her voice cutting through the tension. “Madam Grace, are you certain you want to do this?”
Grace turned toward her, a faintly mocking tone in her voice. “What, I’m your mother. Do I need your permission for what I choose to do?”
“Of course not.” Aurora’s lips curved as she let out a soft laugh. “You’re right, Mother. You don’t need to consider my opinion.”
“That’s better,” Grace said, lifting her chin with pride. “Tessa is your elder sister, and her health has always been poor. As her younger sister, you should take extra care of her. Do I really need to repeat that to you in front of everyone here?”
“No,” Aurora replied firmly.
Grace looked at her daughter’s expression and, for a moment, felt a flicker of doubt. Why was she being so obedient today? This wasn’t what she had expected at all.
Aurora walked over, took the microphone from her, and met her gaze with unshakable resolve. “Mother, give me the microphone. I have something I’d like to say to everyone.”
For a moment, Grace and Tessa exchanged confused glances, unsure of what she was planning. After all, Aurora had rarely appeared before the public, and no one truly understood what she was capable of. The guests murmured among themselves. Though they agreed Grace’s actions had been questionable, their curiosity now shifted to Aurora–how would she respond? After all, she had been with the corporation the longest, and she carried real authority. Whatever happened in the future, it should be her perspective that guided decisions, not Grace’s arbitrary arrangements. Everyone present understood this clearly. And so, no matter what Aurora chose to do, most had already decided they would weigh the situation carefully. As long as her decision wasn’t reckless, she would have their support. Aurora didn’t concern herself with their speculation. She simply stepped forward and addressed the room.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Aurora Walton, general manager of Walton Corporation and daughter of the chairwoman. Over this period, you’ve all seen with your own eyes how many projects I’ve secured, how many results I’ve delivered.” She swept her gaze across the hall. “I ask for no reward, no special acknowledgment. I don’t need the chairwoman to look at me differently, nor do I seek anyone’s praise. All I want is to live with a clear conscience–that the work I’ve done is worthy of the effort I’ve poured into it.”
Her words drew a wave of admiration. Applause broke out across the hall, accompanied by murmurs of approval.
“Yes, she’s absolutely right.”
Chapter 1144