Faced with Genevieve’s questioning, Aurora couldn’t be bothered to explain much. She simply smiled faintly and said, “Believe it or not, that’s the truth. It doesn’t change just because you don’t believe it.”
“Aurora, don’t get too smug. If you can start a company, I’ll chop off this hand of mine,” Zachary mocked as well.
Although Zachary and Ivy were not well-educated, they understood enough about starting businesses to know that if it were that easy, companies would be everywhere, especially public ones, with their stringent requirements. Magnus and the old man might not be fully aware of Aurora’s situation, but they knew it all too clearly.
Genevieve had cut off all of Aurora’s funds. As a penniless high school graduate in a foreign land, how could she be able to start a company? She’d be lucky to survive.
Hearing their snide remarks, Oswaldo grew angry. “You think Aurora is as useless as you? Whether you believe it or not, I do.”
“Grandpa, you shouldn’t believe everything she says just because you favor her. Are we really as useless as you say?” Ivy was hurt by his repeated insults.
“Then show me what you’ve learned from all those years at school,” he challenged.
“We just…” The two mostly skipped classes and hardly paid attention to the teachers in class.
“Dad, whether or not Aurora has started a company, Ivy and Zachary are also your grandchildren. Please acknowledge them for carrying the Montgomery family blood. I know I was wrong back then, for everything I had done, but so many years have passed, and Victoria’s gone too. No matter how guilty I feel, it won’t change anything. Ivy is about to start her internship soon. I don’t need anything. I can live without status for the rest of my life. You can punish me, but the kids are innocent. Please give them a chance, and if they don’t do well, you can kick them out of the company. I won’t have a problem.”
Genevieve strategically retreated to advance, knowing well what she was aiming for getting Oswaldo to acknowledge her children’s status. Once confirmed, they would gain shares in Montgomery Group.
Getting into the company was one thing, but securing the shares was the real deal. How could Genevieve not have planned this? She had already considered getting Ivy and Zachary into the company. The rest could be figured out later.
“Dad, Ivy and Zachary are also the Montgomerys. Please be lenient,” Magnus pleaded, too.
Throughout this, Aurora remained silent, as if it had nothing to do with her. Oswaldo pondered for a moment before saying, “We’ll talk about this later.”
This response was undoubtedly the best they could hope for. He hadn’t refused, so his approval was only a matter of time.
Knowing Oswaldo had made the concession, Genevieve, whose eyes lit in joy, didn’t press any further.
“Please have some more food. You’ve lost weight.” She then tended more diligently to Oswaldo.
Aurora put down her cutlery and said, “I’m done eating.”
“You’re so thin already. Won’t you eat a little more?” Oswaldo quickly urged.
“Grandpa, I’m really full. I’m going to walk in the garden,” Aurora said, her expression neither sad nor joyful. However, Genevieve felt even more triumphant, thinking Aurora was upset by their affairs.
Oswaldo watched Aurora’s retreating figure, feeling a chill in his heart. He tried to eat a few more bites but found the food tasteless. Setting down his cutlery, he sighed. “Dad, we have such a big spread. Eat some more.”
“I’m done,” Oswaldo muttered, unable to eat as he thought of Aurora.
“Alright, if you get hungry later, I’ll make you something you like to eat. We haven’t been back in a long time, so let’s spend a night here,” Genevieve suggested, seizing the moment.
Since Oswaldo enjoyed lively company, Genevieve decided to stay another day by his side, hoping a few more days of smiles might help secure her children’s shares.
Oswaldo wandered into the garden and soon spotted Aurora sitting amidst the flowers, her silhouette seemingly forlorn.
“Aurora, are you upset?” He approached her.
“No, I was just reminiscing about my childhood here, playing during every winter and summer break. Grandpa, you planted all my favorite flowers and plants for me.”
“Yes, you were quite mischievous back then, always rolling in the grass. But you’ve grown quieter.” He recalled past events.
It seemed Aurora changed after her mother’s death. Not long after, Magnus brought Genevieve into their home. No child would be happy about that.
“Sweetheart, do you not want them to join the company?” he asked tentatively, knowing it was natural for Aurora to feel that way.
Aurora, intelligent as she was, knew her grandfather well. Despite his affection for her and his dislike for Genevieve, she could not change the fact that Ivy and Zachary carried the Montgomery family blood. Oswaldo had held on for so long. He wouldn’t let the Montgomery descendants be left out. If Zachary and Ivy were pushed to other companies, wouldn’t it be a slap to the Montgomery family’s face?
For both emotional and rational reasons, he couldn’t just push them out. Aurora had remained silent previously just to confirm this.
Now certain of Oswaldo’s intentions, Aurora looked up with a bright smile. “Grandpa, from my point of view, I don’t want them to. But I understand more that they are my siblings, and it would be selfish of me to exclude them. They’ve been part of the Montgomery family for years. Everyone knows who they are, and not letting them in would only cause gossip. Besides, Grandpa, you’re getting older, and the company needs someone to take over. No matter who it is, I’m fine as long as they can help you.”
Aurora’s response was diplomatically vague, concealing her true feelings while easing Oswaldo’s mind. “Do you really think so?” he asked.
“Yes, it’s been so many years. I’ve come to terms with it. Whether or not they see me as their sister, I’ve always treated them as siblings. I’ve heard some unfavorable rumors at school, but I hope you give them a chance, as long as they work hard in the future.”
“My good granddaughter, don’t worry. Even if they join the company, no one can challenge your position. You are the only heiress I recognize,” he reassured her, likely to comfort her.
“Grandpa, what do you think about officially acknowledging them as one of the Montgomery family?” Aurora asked, suppressing her inner coldness, appearing calm and composed.