Gemma was clearly a different person compared to their last meeting. Her face was glowing with pride, and her every gesture exuded an air of smugness.
Had she won the lottery? Aurora couldn’t imagine what else could make Gemma so unbearably pleased with herself.
“Hmm, we meet again,” Aurora replied coolly. Although she didn’t particularly like Gemma’s personality, she had treated her fairly during the Montgomery Group interview.
Aurora had maintained the same rigorous standards with all candidates, but to Gemma, it had felt like Aurora was deliberately making things difficult for her.
“Miss Montgomery, what do you think of this company?” Gemma suddenly asked.
Aurora found the question strange but decided to respond patiently. “It’s a rising star in the industry with unlimited potential.”
“And how does it compare to Montgomery Group?” Gemma pressed further. Aurora found her persistence puzzling. Was she conducting some kind of survey?
“Montgomery Group is an established company with decades of history. As you can see, this is a newly founded company. Naturally, it can’t compare to Montgomery Group at the moment.
“But this company is like a vibrant young person, full of possibilities, unlike the more traditional Montgomery Group. The rapid pace of today’s world favors dynamic growth, and I believe it’s only a matter of time before Sun surpasses Montgomery Group,” Aurora replied calmly.
Montgomery Group was already under her control, and her grandfather had made it clear he intended to transfer his shares to her. To Aurora, both companies were equally important, and she had no reason to favor one over the other. She was simply stating the facts.
“So, you think Sun is better than Montgomery Group, Miss Montgomery?” Gemma asked, her smugness growing.
Aurora still couldn’t figure out what Gemma was trying to imply. Even if Sun had more potential than Montgomery Group, what did that have to do with Gemma?
“I didn’t say Sun is better than Montgomery Group. I simply meant that based on their current development trajectories, Sun has greater potential. But what does that have to do with you?” Aurora finally asked, unable to hold back her curiosity.
“How does it not? I’m now an employee of Sun! When I applied to Montgomery Group, you looked down on me, but the company you think has greater potential hired me. Doesn’t that prove…” Gemma left the rest of her sentence unfinished, but the meaning was clear to everyone.
She was implying that Aurora had no eye for talent.
The others around them exchanged shocked glances. What was Gemma thinking? Did she really have the nerve to challenge the president?
Aurora finally understood why Gemma had been rambling on. All of it had been to set up this moment.
It was obvious Gemma didn’t know that Aurora was the owner of Sun. Otherwise, there was no way she would have said something so foolish to boost her own ego.
How childish, Aurora thought. She had expected something important, but it turned out to be nothing more than meaningless posturing.
Aurora gave Gemma a brief, indifferent glance. “I’m busy,” she said before walking away.
To Gemma, Aurora’s response looked like an admission of guilt, as though she didn’t dare to argue back. Gemma’s smugness only grew.
But her confidence evaporated the moment Aurora reached Ian’s group. The young men, still recovering from their shock, quickly greeted her.
“Good morning, President,” they said in unison.
“President?” Gemma froze. What was going on? Aurora worked for Montgomery Group. Why were they calling her “President”?
“It’s almost time. This company has strict rules about punctuality. Today is your first day, so I hope none of you are late,” Aurora said without breaking stride as she headed toward the elevators.
“Yes, President! We understand,” the group replied, hurrying after her.
Aurora and the others were headed in the same direction, but they took separate elevators. The employees used the standard elevators, while Aurora swiped her card to access the executive elevator.
The executive elevator required no waiting, so Aurora entered and ascended before the others even reached their elevator.
At last, the truth dawned on Gemma. If she didn’t understand now, she would have to be a fool.
As soon as Aurora was out of sight, Gemma rushed over to the group, grabbing one of them by the sleeve. “What did you just call her?”
“We called her ‘President.’ Gemma, are you insane? It’s your first day, and you spoke to her like that! Do you want to get fired?” one of them asked, bewildered.
“Fired? Who is she?” Gemma demanded, her voice rising in panic.
“She’s Aurora. What’s wrong with you?” they replied, confused by her reaction.
“No, I mean her identity. Ian, tell me!” Gemma turned to Ian, desperate for answers.
Ian, irritated by her persistence, brushed her hand away. “She’s the daughter of the Montgomery family and the president of Sun. Are you out of your mind?”
“The president? When people said you knew the president of Sun, were they talking about her?” Gemma’s back was drenched in cold sweat. What had she done?
“Of course they were. The president asked me to recommend reliable candidates for interviews. Didn’t you meet her during your interview? She’s very strict. Everyone here earned their place through merit,” Ian said, his tone filled with pride.
“No, that’s impossible! She’s a manager at Montgomery Group. How could she be the president of Sun? It doesn’t make sense…” Gemma’s mind raced as she recalled how arrogantly she had spoken to Aurora earlier.
Aurora had shown incredible restraint. If it had been anyone else, they might have fired her on the spot. Aurora hadn’t even bothered to argue.
“Why wouldn’t it be possible? Just because she comes from a wealthy family doesn’t mean she hasn’t worked hard. You should have realized her potential back in school.
“I heard she founded her own company three years ago. Sun is just one of her branches,” Ian explained, his voice filled with admiration.
Everything about Aurora that seemed impossible was, in fact, reality. She was simply that capable.
“Gemma, if I were you, I’d find an opportunity to apologize to the president. You spoke out of turn earlier. Do you still want to work here?”
“Exactly. What were you even thinking, challenging the president like that?”
“Let’s not jump to conclusions. Maybe it was all a misunderstanding. If it’s just a misunderstanding, an apology should clear it up. The president seems like a reasonable person,” Leonard said, trying to mediate.
Gemma grabbed Ian’s sleeve again. “Ian, you’re the only one who can help me now. You have a good relationship with Aurora. Please talk to her for me. Don’t let her fire me, okay?”