Chapter 1235

"Of course I’m not joking." Daniel’s expression turned serious. "Everyone’s time is valuable. I’ve no reason to joke with you over this."

"But the knowledge I’ve learned is no different from hers. Why won’t you give our company a chance, Mr. Lewis?" Tessa tried to fight for it.

She refused to spend her whole life living under Aurora’s shadow.

"Miss Walton, don’t press the matter. We’re all adults—let’s preserve some dignity." Daniel shifted the topic. "I’ve already told you my reason. I truly cannot work with your company. Miss Walton, you really shouldn’t keep pushing."

With those words, Tessa felt whatever dignity she had left crumble.

She never imagined Daniel would be so blunt, showing her no respect at all.

So, everything she had worked for—all of it—had been for nothing?

In the end, even her efforts couldn’t compare to the weight of Aurora’s name.

Could her name really hold so much power?

Forcing a smile, Tessa said, "All right, Mr. Lewis. I understand. I won’t trouble you again."

After the call ended, Daniel let out a long sigh.

Truth be told, he had wanted to work with Tessa—her terms were very tempting.

But no matter how tempting, a single meal didn’t mean meals for a lifetime. He knew better than that.

That was the nature of business.

The more Tessa thought about it, the angrier she became. No matter where she went, she couldn’t escape Aurora’s name.

From childhood, when elders compared their praise, to their school days, and now in the workplace—she had always lived in Aurora’s shadow.

What meaning did life have if it was always this way?

If that was the case, she might as well come clean to Grace.

Thinking of her mother, Tessa’s eyes lit up.

Yes, she might not be able to salvage this project, but she could explain it to her mother.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t tried. This was clearly Aurora’s fault, deliberately sabotaging things so Walton Corporation couldn’t get the deal.

Even after leaving, Aurora had left behind nothing but a mess.

The more Tessa thought about it, the angrier she grew. She could use this to prove to her mother that Aurora had done it on purpose.

Because she walked away mid-negotiation, Daniel refused to work with Walton Corporation.

With that thought, Tessa grabbed the contract and knocked on Grace’s office door.

Hearing the knock, Grace called out, "Come in."

She straightened her expression and looked up, surprised to see Tessa at this hour.

"Tessa, what is it?"

"Mom, I came today to talk to you about the Southside land project," Tessa said.

At those words, a trace of weariness flashed in Grace’s eyes.

She had nearly forgotten about that deal, but clearly if Tessa was here to bring it up again after three days, it meant there wasn’t much hope.

"So the project fell through? It’s all right." Grace gave her a gentle smile. "If this one didn’t work out, there will be others. Next time, you’ll just try again, you’ll succeed."

At first, Tessa thought her mother’s words meant understanding.

But listening more carefully, she realized Grace had never really placed any hope in her at all.