LOGINThinking of that, Tessa could barely keep the smile off her face.But Aurora didn’t spare her a second glance.Dressed in a pale blue strapless gown that traced every elegant line of her figure, paired with seven-centimeter heels, she stood before Tessa with effortless hauteur, looking down at her from above.She knew perfectly well that everything Tessa said was nothing but bravado.Right now, Tessa was barely holding herself together like a performer at the end of her act, all glitter gone, running on fumes.One wrong move, and she would crumble.And girls like Tessa was what Aurora found funniest of all.“I don’t have the time to trade petty words with you here.”Aurora’s calm voice snapped the crowd’s attention back to her.Her remark took everyone by surprise.They had assumed that a woman who’d once severed ties with her mother so decisively must have been wild, uncontrollable.Yet here she was, offering a composed, almost polite response.It wasn’t what anyone expected, especial
The two of them echoing each other like that was practically throwing her onto a fire, leaving her no way to step down.The thought left Tessa unsettled; she hadn’t expected Lucas and Aurora to be this ruthless.“Then tell me, how should I have said it?”Before Tessa could answer, Lucas spoke on his own.“You said it yourself—this is a family meeting. So what issue is there with Aurora and me being here?”“My point is that my sister normally doesn’t attend these meetings. She even fell out with Mom before.”As she spoke, Tessa’s expression was full of troubled concern, as if Aurora had done something unforgivable.To anyone who didn’t know the truth, the scene looked entirely like Aurora was at fault.After all, if her own sister described her this way, Aurora must truly be difficult.Otherwise, who would speak of her like that in public?Aurora, however, knew exactly what Tessa was doing.She was putting on a perfectly polished sweetheart act—sweet on the surface, poisonous within.Sa
“What’s that supposed to mean?”“Exactly what it sounds like.”Aurora didn’t lower her voice or step aside for anyone.Their voices fell in that pointed middle ground, and standing there in their fitted evening gowns, blocking the entrance, they drew attention almost instantly.With looks that striking, arguing at the doorway only made them stand out more.Given how recognizable their faces were, everyone easily guessed who they might be.To be this bold at the entrance meant only one thing—they had enough confidence, and enough status, to do so.No one could think of anyone else who fit that description.Tessa noticed more and more guests turning to look, their eyes settling on her and Aurora.Her pride wavered; after all, she came tonight under Sean’s instructions.She needed to perform well at the meeting and avoid showing any cracks.If Grace or the board suspected anything, what then?Her shares weren’t in hand yet—all of them still rested with Grace.If anything went wrong and Gr
The moment the thought settled in her mind, a dull ache spread through Tessa’s chest.They had prepared for so long—if everything collapsed now, she would look like the biggest fool alive.It was already at the final step, just one push away.She would be able to accept any failure now.Tessa couldn’t even name the feeling in her heart.But she knew one thing clearly: she had to follow the path Sean laid out.Anything else would be disastrous for both him and herself.“I understand.”She couldn’t say what she truly felt.But since she had already agreed to cooperate with Sean, she knew there was no turning back.Given that, she might as well follow his lead.Letting out a long sigh, Tessa slowly walked out of Sean’s office.Her silhouette held a rare trace of loneliness, and when the employees saw her leave, they exchanged glances.Whenever Tessa visited, she was always dazzling, always wearing that prideful smile.This was the first time they had seen her looking so defeated, and no o
“Dad, of course I choose you.”Hearing that, Sean’s lips lifted into a faint smile.He had known things would eventually reach this point.It was within expectations.He should have understood long ago what kind of daughter he had.Besides, Tessa had no path back anymore.She could only choose him, and that realization stirred a strange feeling in his chest.He didn’t truly hate Grace; She had followed him everywhere when they were young.But back then, he had his own great love and didn’t want to be entangled with Grace.He knew meaningless involvement only invited more trouble.If Grace hadn’t raised the daughter he’d had with his first love, the two of them would never have crossed paths again.Later, when his family suffered a major blow, he began considering returning to take over Grace’s company.Since the other man was already gone and Grace had loved him for years, why shouldn’t he take the company for himself?That thought alone filled him with a quiet satisfaction.Because of
Grace had never treated her poorly—if anything, she treated her even better than Aurora.Thinking about it now, Tessa felt she really had been blind to her own good fortune.But once the arrow was released, there was no pulling it back. Since she had already been working with Sean for so long, it meant she had stepped onto the opposite side of Grace.Even if she wanted to return, Grace would never forgive her.Instead of wasting time regretting it, she might as well keep following Sean and push their plan to its peak.Then she wouldn’t have to worry about Grace having any chance to fight back.At last, Tessa let out a breath.“Dad, let me tell you what happened.”The moment Sean saw how tense she looked, he knew the situation wasn’t as simple as he had imagined.Clearly, he had underestimated things.“I just feel like Mom’s attitude toward me has changed.”Her expression was solemn, with not even the faintest trace of humor in her voice.Seeing her like this, Sean’s irritation faded,







