Chapter 15

She remained calm, but there was an undeniable presence about her – nothing like a fresh graduate just entering the workforce.

Chuck frowned, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind. Was she somehow connected to the Walton family? But Tessa had never mentioned anything about it.

The brief hesitation quickly vanished. He let out a cold laugh. "Walton Corporation has no use for trash like you."

Aurora said nothing. She simply picked up the documents and turned to leave.

Not long after, the termination notice was officially issued. When the project manager heard about it, he was completely stunned. Others might not know Aurora’s true identity, but he certainly did. She was the Walton family’s heiress.

Had Chuck lost his mind?

Grinding his teeth, the manager stormed over to Chuck. "Do you have any idea who Aurora Walton is? You just fired her? Are you trying to get yourself kicked out of Walton Corporation?"

"She’s just another college graduate," Chuck sneered. "What’s got you so worked up? You really think just because she’s got the Walton name, she’s some kind of heiress?"

The manager opened his mouth to argue, but Chuck smirked. "You’re acting way too nervous. Anyone watching might think you and that college girl have something going on."

The manager let out a sharp laugh, more frustrated than amused. He wasn’t going to waste his breath. If Aurora decided to unleash her temper, it wouldn’t be his problem.

After the manager left, Chuck dialed Joseph’s number. "Mr. Hunt, Aurora Walton is officially out of Walton Corporation."

After Aurora was fired, Grace called her back to the family estate. Grace watched the aftermath unfold, her voice cold and sharp. "I sent you to the company to gain experience, and you got yourself fired? Aurora, you’ve truly let me down."

There wasn’t a trace of warmth in her eyes. Aurora wasn’t surprised by her mother’s detached, businesslike attitude, but a faint chill still crept into her heart.

Beside her, Tessa sighed as if helpless. "Sister, you’re still too young. You lack the composure needed to handle things properly."

"Chuck has been with the company for years. He’s always been easygoing, and even he couldn’t tolerate you. Aurora, is this really all you’ve learned?" Grace’s tone remained sharp.

Aurora calmly placed the documents she had compiled onto the table in front of her mother. "This contains evidence of Chuck embezzling company funds and sexually harassing employees," she said evenly. "And this is the report I submitted about him."

Her voice remained steady. "He claimed I was unqualified for the job, so I stepped down to set an example. But he is far from the good man you believe him to be. He has no place in Walton Corporation."

Grace’s brows furrowed deeper as she flipped through the evidence. Tessa, on the other hand, bit her lip, her face going pale. That idiot actually stirred up this much trouble?

Silence stretched between them.

Finally, Grace looked up at Aurora, her tone softening slightly. "Chuck has been with the company for years, and he once saved your sister’s life. I’ll have him removed in a few days, but let’s not make a fuss over this."

Aurora frowned slightly. Her mother was always firm in separating business from personal matters. With everything Chuck had done, being blacklisted from the industry was the least he deserved.

Yet Grace acted as if she hadn’t noticed, speaking calmly. "Your sister’s health has improved a lot. She’ll be joining the company to assist you. From now on, you and Tessa should consult each other on important matters."

"Mom." Aurora lifted her gaze, her voice steady. "Turning a blind eye to an abuser makes you no different from an accomplice. That’s something you taught me."

Tessa coughed lightly, her tone laced with unease. "Sister, Chuck did save my life. Could you let this go for my sake?"

Aurora was about to respond, but Grace cut her off coldly. "Enough. That’s the end of it. Your priority right now is Vanguard Group."

Aurora met her mother’s displeased gaze, pressing her lips together. She didn’t argue further. But inside, she felt a chill. She had never been close to her mother, who was rarely one to make exceptions, except when it came to her sister.

Sometimes, Aurora wondered if, as her biological daughter, she even mattered at all.

A heavy feeling settled in her chest.