With Aurora present, the comparisons from everyone naturally began. How could these people change sides so quickly? Tessa’s hatred burned stronger.
But Grace didn’t seem to care. “What, were you serious about what you said yesterday?” She lifted her eyes to Aurora, still treating yesterday’s words as nothing more than casual.
Aurora straightened slightly, her gaze firm on Grace. “I wasn’t joking with you. Everything I said was true. With so many guests there yesterday, how could I possibly have been joking?”
At that moment, Grace finally realized Aurora was serious. A ripple of unease spread through her heart. So, Aurora hadn’t been joking after all?
Thinking it over, it did make sense. In front of so many guests, if Aurora had been joking, where would her dignity be? After all, Ravenshore was only so big, and everyone in the circle knew each other.
“You do realize you’re giving up more than just the identity of a successor,” Grace’s eyes sharpened as they locked onto Aurora.
Her words didn’t intimidate Aurora, but they did startle the others. One of the major shareholders quickly spoke. “Madam Grace, you really can’t do this. You absolutely must not agree to Aurora’s request. You have to keep her in the company.”
“That’s right. Without her, our company won’t survive. You know very well these past months, it was Aurora who led us to strength and growth.”
“Exactly, and under her leadership the company is completely different now. We’ve landed projects we could never reach before.”
Despite the pressure from so many people, Aurora remained unmoved. After all, it had been her mother who first broke the rules. If fairness couldn’t be maintained, then why should she continue to devote herself to the company?
If she followed her mother’s arrangements, she would already have been reduced to nothing more than Tessa’s subordinate.
Even though holding some shares made it seem like she had real power, in reality she was nothing more than a tool. The one truly reaping the benefits behind it all was Tessa. She held almost the same amount of shares, yet without lifting a finger she gained far more money. Anyone would want such a position, but Aurora refused to play the fool.
Grace crossed her arms. “Of course, I understand what all of you shareholders mean, but the situation now is perfectly clear.” She tilted her chin toward Aurora. “It’s not that I want her to leave–it’s that she herself wants to leave. Since she can’t be stopped, why force it?”
“But you’re her mother. Shouldn’t you at least try to persuade her?” The older shareholders weren’t buying Grace’s excuse at all. It was obvious she was just playing slick. How could she not even control her own daughter? Nobody believed her words.
“That’s right. Why must you two bring family matters into the company? Doesn’t this affect the company’s future?”
“Exactly. Would the old chairman rest easy knowing you’ve done this?”
At the mention of her grandfather, Aurora could no longer remain seated.
“Everyone, saying more won’t change anything. I’ve already made my decision, and I won’t be staying in the company.” She stood up, her tone firm. “My resignation letter is already on my mother’s desk. From here on, my decisions have nothing to do with the company. Please don’t try to keep me any longer. This is about maintaining dignity as adults.”