Chapter 552

She had hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should leave after all. But then she reminded herself – this company still bore the Walton name. So, what if they had objections? It wasn’t like they could actually do anything to her.

“Gentlemen, I know many of you have issues with me, and I understand that beginnings are always the hardest. But my sister is currently ill, and that’s why I’ve stepped in to act on her behalf. Do any of you have a problem with that?”

The room fell silent as everyone exchanged glances. None of them had expected Aurora’s absence to be due to illness.

Had they all been wrong about her this whole time?

Off to the side, Ian clenched his fists. When Tessa first arrived, he’d felt a deep sense of resentment. She had taken over Aurora’s position without warning. Worse, the moment she came in, she handpicked someone else to bring her the contracts. By right, that should’ve been his job – he was the assistant. But Tessa had made it clear she didn’t want to use him at all.

Watching all this unfold, it wasn’t hard to see her intentions. She was clearly trying to edge out everyone who had been close to Aurora. Bit by bit, she was stripping away her sister’s influence. By the time Aurora woke up, would there be anything left for her?

So now, seeing the higher-ups make things difficult for Tessa, Ian couldn’t help but feel a little pleased. But as soon as they heard Tessa mention Aurora’s illness, the executives hesitated.

In the end, this company was still owned by the Waltons – just as Tessa had said. They knew how to weigh their options. And more importantly, they knew the value of staying in their lane.

No one said a word.

“Are you heading out to visit Miss Aurora now?”

The same senior executive who had spoken earlier broke the silence. Tessa nodded. “Of course. She’s my sister. Should I expect you to go instead?"

“And let me remind you all – everyone here knows exactly what my sister accomplished for this company. I expect each of you to keep her condition strictly confidential. No one outside this room should know what’s really going on. If word gets out and it affects the company’s interests, causing the stock to drop, who do you think will suffer the consequences? Won’t it be your own profits on the line?”

Her words hit home, and the room finally snapped to attention. She was right. The company’s major projects had been running smoothly under Aurora’s lead. If news of her illness spread, the market would definitely react, and not in their favor.

Realizing this, the executives exchanged glances, then nodded in unison. “Don’t worry. We won’t say a word. Nothing will leak out.”

Only then did Tessa seem satisfied. “Alright then, I’m heading to the hospital to visit my sister.”

Ian, still hidden among the group, felt his anger boil over. Why hadn’t he realized sooner just how good Tessa was at putting on an act? Every word she said was perfectly rehearsed, tailor-made for the situation. She almost had the flair of a cult leader. Worse, everything she said made just enough sense that no one could argue with her. There was nothing he could do about it.

But just as Tessa was about to leave, the same senior executive suddenly spoke again. “If Aurora’s unwell, then perhaps I should come with you to visit her as well.”