She turned to Tessa. "Besides, isn’t my sister Tessa still here? She studied the same field as I did. I’m sure her abilities aren’t much different from mine."

At that, everyone followed her gaze toward Tessa.

Seeing that she could no longer pretend to stay silent, Tessa forced an awkward smile before stepping forward. “Sister, are you still upset with me?" She deliberately shifted the focus back onto Aurora.

Aurora couldn’t help but laugh. "Tessa, that’s a funny way to put it."

“How can you speak like that? She’s your sister," Grace scolded sharply.

Aurora turned her eyes on her. "Madam Grace, this is a shareholders‘ meeting. Why drag family into it? What’s next–when negotiating projects, should we throw ourselves on the client’s lap and call him daddy?"

The words were harsh, almost cutting.

Faces around the room darkened. None of them had expected such things to be said between mother and daughters. They had thought the three of them shared a close bond, but now it all looked like a façade. If even feelings could be staged, why should anyone here treat the company with such gravity?

Grace slammed the table and stood. “Aurora, how dare you speak like this? Do you even see me as your mother anymore?"

Aurora gave a cold smile. “And do you see me as your daughter? If you don’t, why should I treat you as an elder? Don’t try to pull rank on me. I’d rather we both walk away with dignity."

Grace pressed a hand to her chest, staring at Aurora in disbelief. Never had she imagined her daughter would confront her like this in front of so many people. In her eyes, Aurora no longer acknowledged her as a mother at all.

Tessa quickly rushed forward, patting her chest in concern. “Mom, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Grace shook her head and smiled at Tessa. “You really are the thoughtful one. With you here, I feel so much more at ease."

Aurora’s gaze lingered on Grace, a flicker of worry hidden beneath her otherwise cool expression.

Hearing Grace say that, Aurora’s sharp gaze returned. So, her earlier worry had been pointless. With Tessa by her side, her mother clearly needed nothing from her. Looking at it now, she really was nothing more than a fool. Everything she’d done had only paved the way for someone else.

Tessa’s face turned awkward. “Mom, don’t say it like that. My sister has done very well too–she just doesn’t always express herself the right way."

“Don’t mention that ungrateful girl again." Grace wouldn’t even look at Aurora. “Since she insists on leaving, then let her go. I won’t stop her."

The shareholders shifted uneasily at those words. But then again, this was family business between the three of them. As outsiders, it wasn’t their place to interfere. Getting too involved would only make them seem meddlesome.

Aurora folded her arms, a careless smile on her lips. “Since the chairwoman has agreed to my resignation, then I’ll trouble you to sign off on my report. As for my shares, divide them up properly and that will be enough."

Even if she left the company, she was still Grace’s daughter.