Chapter 1158

+15 BONUS

For some reason, she felt a hollow emptiness inside, as if a piece of her had gone missing.

One of the senior shareholders, emboldened, jabbed a finger toward Grace and cursed, “How foolish! Trading gold for gravel–I’ll be watching to see just how far this road of yours takes you.”

Grace drew back her gaze, her eyes cutting sharp toward him. “Mr. Cowell, I wasn’t aware the Walton Corporation had ever fallen under your command.”

The man clutched at his chest, his thinning toupee nearly slipping from his head.

Grace rose to her feet. “To conclude this meeting–Aurora Walton will no longer serve as general manager. That seat is now vacant. From here on, the capable will rise. What matters is strength.”

At her words, the board erupted into restless murmurs.

Did this mean they could finally install their own people?

Their thoughts churned quickly, calculations spinning in their minds.

Grace, watching their silence, saw through them as though peering into glass.

She knew exactly what these old foxes were plotting. Did they really think they could outplay her?

Turning to Tessa, Grace said, “Come, it’s finished. There’s no need to stay any longer.”

Tessa nodded, following her mother out, though her heart burned with dissatisfaction.

Since Aurora was no longer part of the company, those shares should never have remained with her.

How shameless, to still have the nerve to keep them–it was laughable.

But now wasn’t the time to say so.

These were Grace’s decisions, after all.

And in the end, she was still her daughter. For the sake of the bigger picture, Tessa could only swallow it down.

Tessa understood all those principles, but she had no interest in thinking that far. The only thing on her mind was what she could gain.

Her naked ambition was almost spilling over.

Yet Grace knew nothing of it.

Chapter 1158

+15 BONUS

Back in her office, she looked at the resignation letter lying on her desk, a faint heaviness tugging at her heart.

She stepped closer, her eyes shadowed with a sorrow she tried to hide.

When she sank into her chair, a quiet weariness settled over her. The usual confidence was gone, leaving her looking ten years older.

Grace picked up the letter and read it carefully.

Line by line, it carried Aurora’s yearning for freedom.

There were no extra explanations–just words meant to be passed on to HR. Even now, Aurora was holding on to the last of her dignity.

Reading it, Grace felt a tide of emotion rise within her.

Had she truly made the wrong choice?

Or had she thought too little about it all?

Pressing the letter against her chest, her heart ached all the more.

Just then, the door opened and Tessa walked in, catching sight of the scene.

At the sound, Grace quickly gathered herself, sliding the letter into her drawer before turning a sharp, displeased gaze on the intruder.

When she saw it was Tessa, her expression softened only slightly.

“Why didn’t you knock?” Her tone carried an edge rarely heard from her.

Tessa froze, startled.

She had never seen her mother like this.

Grace had always showered her with indulgence, never once speaking to her in such a way.

Caught off guard, Tessa stammered, “Mom, I just wanted to check on you. I was… worried about you.”

Grace looked at her daughter’s timid face, and at last her expression eased. “I’m fine. Don’t trouble yourself with my affairs.”