Aurora followed Finnian upstairs, speaking only when they were out of earshot: “It’s been a long time, Miss Montgomery.”
“Indeed, it’s been ten years, hasn’t it? I hear you’ve become a trusted confidant of my grandfather,” Aurora said with a quiet smile upon recognizing an old friend.
“All thanks to your grandfather,” Finnian replied respectfully.
“Is it Grandpa who wants to see me this time, or…?” Aurora asked, unworried. After all, she and Magnus were father and daughter; surely her grandfather wouldn’t misunderstand her?
“It’s the other board members. They’ve caught wind of the situation and called an emergency meeting. Your grandfather couldn’t be bothered with their chatter and asked you to come explain directly.”
“That’s fine. I had planned to keep up my disguise a bit longer, but it seems my fun is over too soon,” Aurora said, spreading her hands, resigned to the stodgy old ways of the board.
With such a major issue at hand, they probably thought the sky was falling-which explained why they summoned Aurora so hastily.
“You’re still as playful as ever,” Finnian said with a gentle laugh.
He was the epitome of the boy next door, gentle and polished, unlike the hypocrite Hayden.
“I’ve changed a lot since then,” Aurora sighed.
Finnian noticed a complex expression in her eyes; her gaze no longer held the purity of the past. Indeed, who could maintain the same facade after so many years?
“Don’t worry, Miss. Your grandfather has everything under control.”
“I know. Besides, I’ve done nothing wrong. What do I have to fear?” Aurora’s smile faded, and she quickly resumed her persona as the aloof manager.
Their catch-up ended as the elevator doors opened. She strode out with long legs.
Finnian watched her poised and graceful exit. She was still at an age for frivolity, yet the young woman who stood before him was brave and resolute.
Fear and confusion were absent in her demeanor; she intimidated none.
The rhythmic footsteps echoed in the quiet corridor. Two black-suited bodyguards stood by the door, which they opened upon recognizing her.
This was the executive boardroom, off-limits to most. Aurora had visited once as a child with Magnus, where she had been left to sleep quietly in a chair.
After finishing his work, Magnus had wrapped her in his coat, her tiny head nestled sweetly against him as she slept.
Years had passed in the blink of an eye, and now she returned in a new role, her lips curled in a slight smile as she entered the solemn meeting room.
Grandpa Montgomery presided at the head of the table, devoid of his usual gentleness and instead embodying the stern chairman, his aura as commanding as a sovereign’s chill.
Seated to his right were Sean, Paul, and Magnus, and to his left, men averaging over fifty years old.
The atmosphere was as tense as if one were facing an interview panel; ten pairs of eyes fixed on her as she entered, enough to make any young girl falter.
Aurora, however, maintained a proper smile and continued walking, nodding to her grandfather, “Good afternoon, gentlemen.”
Her formal greeting sounded almost like she was there for an interview, but her grandfather appreciated her demeanor-graceful, with a clear gaze and straight posture.
She truly was a worthy granddaughter of the Montgomery family. Ivy and Zachary were shortsighted, nowhere near her caliber.
“So you’re the new HR manager?” a man with glasses asked first.
“I’m not here for an interview. May I sit down to talk?” she was immediately treated like a suspect upon arrival, which would upset anyone.
She had shown politeness to the others, but it seemed they had no intention of respecting her, so naturally, she wasn’t going to comply quietly.
“Please, take a seat,” Grandpa Montgomery gestured to an empty chair.
“Thank you, Chairman,” Aurora said as she calmly took her seat. Until then, she had been standing alone while everyone else was seated, as if she was either a prisoner or an examinee.
“Are you ready to answer my question now?” the man asked again, somewhat displeased.
“Yes, I am. I’ve just started working at the company a few days ago. Is there anything I can do for you?” she replied with a smile.
“I wouldn’t dare ask you to do anything. Do you know why you were called here today?”
“I’m not a mind reader; how would I know?” Aurora deflected with ease.
“Alright, you don’t know. Now, the internet is full of reports about you and the president. Shouldn’t you explain that?” another person challenged, throwing a stack of documents on the table.
Everyone looked at her as if she were a homewrecker, her youth and appearance making her a prime candidate for such suspicions.
“I have nothing to say about this matter, you tell me,” Magnus remained composed, observing these old men’s actions.
Paul sat uneasily to one side; though he wasn’t involved, he worried about being implicated by Alison’s foolishness.
“I have nothing to say either,” Aurora spread her hands, “Do you all really believe these online rumors as well?”
“What nonsense are you talking about? How do you explain these two photos? You’re just a junior manager. Since when have you been so close to the president, and in such a public way? How heartbroken must your parents be seeing these reports? I heard you haven’t even graduated yet. But you did go to college, how could you behave so shamelessly! How can you young ladies have no self-respect or self-love?” the man grew more indignant as if Aurora were his own child.
Aurora watched him finish before she spoke, “Why would my family be heartbroken? And how can you be so sure that I lack self-respect and self-love?”
“You are shameless, you should be apologizing instead of justifying your mistakes with sophistry!” the man was even more infuriated.
“Uncle Lambert, I didn’t realize that comforting my dad and patting him on the shoulder meant I no longer had any self-respect,” she stated pointedly.
“You know me? Your dad… what are you talking about?” the man finally realized.
At this moment, Grandpa Montgomery spoke up: “Let me introduce her. This is my granddaughter Aurora, who just returned from America. She chose not to reveal her identity to avoid special treatment and to learn some real skills instead of being put on a pedestal. Since she had such intentions, I, as her grandfather, naturally supported her. Who knew these people would make such a big fuss over it! They even spread rumors involving my son and his own daughter, which is truly a huge joke!”