Aurora unfastened her seatbelt and pushed open the car door. A wave of heat rushed in, carrying the bustling noise of the city, starkly contrasting with the quiet, air-conditioned space inside the car. She squinted slightly, adjusting to the harsh sunlight before stepping out. The crisp sound of her heels tapping against the pavement echoed as she straightened herself. Turning back, the wind gently lifted strands of her dark hair, revealing the delicate curve of her fair neck. She met Lucas’ gaze, her lips curling into a faint, appreciative smile. “Thank you.” Lucas watched her, his deep eyes following her every movement until she disappeared into the building.
Only then did he restart the engine, his sleek black Maybach merging smoothly into the steady flow of traffic. Inside Walton Corporation, the blast of cool air from the lobby’s air conditioning offered instant relief. Aurora adjusted her outfit slightly before heading straight toward Grace’s office. Stopping in front of the door, she took a deep breath and knocked lightly. “Come in,” her mother’s voice sounded from inside. Aurora pushed open the door, stepping into the subtly fragrant office, where the rich aroma of coffee lingered in the air. Grace sat behind her desk, focused on reviewing documents, her brows slightly furrowed. At the sound of the door opening, she lifted her gaze, her expression complicated, filled with scrutiny and a hint of resignation. Aurora didn’t hesitate. She walked up to the desk, her voice firm. “Mrs. Walton, even if I’m not yet an official employee of Walton Corporation, I still want a position that allows me to participate in Vanguard Group’s hot spring resort project.” Grace set down the document, lacing her fingers together on the desk as she regarded Aurora with a steady gaze. “I can arrange that. But do you really believe you can win this project?” “Yes.” Aurora’s response was immediate, her eyes unwavering with determination. “I know it won’t be easy, but I want to try. Even if I don’t succeed in the end, I’ll gain valuable experience.”
Grace remained silent for a long moment before finally sighing, her nod carrying a trace of reluctant approval. “I’ll have Ben assign you a position, but remember–everything depends on your own efforts.” Aurora nodded, a faint smile appearing on her lips at the confirmation. After thanking Grace, she turned and left the office. Soon, she was placed in a new project team. The moment she walked in, hushed whispers filled the room. Curious eyes darted toward her, sizing her up with interest. “That’s Aurora Walton? I heard she caused quite a stir this morning. And yet, she’s still able to come back to work?” “Who knows? Maybe there’s something going on behind the scenes.”
Chapter 39
Aurora ignored the murmurs. She turned on her computer and began familiarizing herself with the project documents. Half an hour later, Ben entered the conference room, his voice cutting through the air. “We’re officially beginning the research discussion on Vanguard Group’s wellness hot spring resort project. All departments have submitted their proposals–let’s go over them now.” The room quieted as the discussion commenced. Aurora flipped open her notebook, her gaze falling on her initial design proposal. Lucas Carter’s suggestions from earlier lingered in her mind. Taking a pen, she started making adjustments, refining the details with full concentration. Soon, the meeting was underway. The projection screen lit up, casting its glow onto the white wall. Ben cleared his throat, scanning the room. “Let’s go through the proposals. Speak freely–this is an open discussion.” One person volunteered first, presenting a proposal that was solid but lacked any real innovation. Aurora remained silent, fingers lightly tapping against her laptop as she patiently waited for the right moment. Finally, it was her turn. Taking a deep breath, she stood up and projected her modified plan onto the screen. “My proposal centers around one core idea–‘Returning to Nature, Experiencing Renewal.’” Her voice was clear, steady, and filled with confidence.