When Tina tried calling Julian back, his phone was already off. He was likely on a flight, which meant Aurora wasn’t with him.
“The company said she left with Mira,” someone reported.
“Mira! What is she trying to do now?” Tina’s voice was tinged with frustration.
“Mira has always wanted Miss Aurora to return and inherit the family business, to ease your burden. Last time, when she deliberately forced the two of you to meet, wasn’t it just to make you acknowledge Miss Aurora’s identity?
Mira grew up under your watch. She has always been good to you. If Aurora could come back to share your responsibilities, I believe Mira would be more than willing to help.”
“But that would ruin Aurora! Why would I have done everything I did back then if it was all for nothing? Find out where Mira has taken Aurora-quickly!” Tina’s voice grew increasingly agitated.
Erica reached out and held her hand gently. “Don’t get too worked up, Tina. Your health can’t handle this kind of stress!”
Tina shook her head, her voice filled with worry. “How can I not be worried? You know what kind of people are in this family! They don’t care about Aurora’s well-being. To them, it’s all about the family’s interests!”
“This is just how it has always been,” Erica said with a sigh. “The family has been loyal to itself for generations, putting its interests above everything else.
And Mr. Elderstone… he has always been devoted to the previous head of the family. He followed every command to the letter. Before the last head passed away, they made him swear to serve the family with all his might.
When you left those years ago, everyone feared you wouldn’t return. That’s why they started grooming Mio to take your place.
Mr. Elderstone never knew you had a child. But now, with the company facing frequent attacks and orders being stolen, they’ve traced it all back to Aurora.
Mio’s hopes are dashed now, but Miss Aurora… she won’t escape. She’s the next heir.”
Tina’s face grew pale. “Not everyone wants to be the heir.”
She knew the pain of that role. That’s why she left all those years ago. Being the heir might seem glamorous-leading the R family and the R Corporation. But how could anything in life come without a price?
The price of being the head of the family… was a lifetime of loneliness. That was why she had made the choices she did back then-to spare Aurora from this fate. She didn’t want her daughter to bear this burden. All she wanted was for Aurora to live a normal, happy life.
“Calm down. I’ll go find out what’s going on,” Erica said before leaving. She knew how deep the waters ran in the R family. But what choice did anyone born into this family have?
John Walsh, who had overheard the conversation, spoke softly. “Tina, everyone has their own destiny. You’re not a god. You can’t control someone else’s fate.”
“As a mother, this is the only thing I can do for my child,” Tina said with a bitter laugh. “I’ve tried so hard for so long, but in the end, I still can’t fight fate. How ridiculous.”
“All you’ve thought about is protecting her,” John said gently. “But have you ever considered that Aurora might want to protect you too?
Mira isn’t even your biological daughter, yet she’s done so much for you. How much more would Aurora do? You’re not the only one in this world with love and loyalty.”
Every mother wanted the best for their child-it was a natural instinct. Even animals shared this maternal nature.
Tina only wanted to shield Aurora from the things she herself had endured. She didn’t want her daughter to repeat her mistakes.
“John, you don’t understand this feeling,” Tina said softly. “I would give my life for her without hesitation.”
“I do understand,” John replied. “But Tina, while you may not care about your own life, there are others who care about you and worry for you.
Your daughter matters, yes, but what about the others who care for you? We want you to be well too.”
He pulled her into an embrace, pressing a gentle kiss to her hair.
“Don’t worry too much. The road ahead is hers to walk. You can’t carry her forever.”
Tina let out a deep sigh. There was nothing she could do now but wait for news.
Erica soon returned. “Madam, Mira has already taken Miss Aurora back to the family estate.”
“Prepare the car. I’m going back,” Tina said urgently. She had known this would happen, yet hearing it confirmed still made her heart race.
“Madam, it may already be too late,” Erica said, glancing at her watch. “Miss Aurora has been at the estate for two hours. If Mr. Elderstone truly intended to act, it’s likely already done.”
“Give me the phone,” Tina demanded. She had spent her entire life protecting Aurora, preparing for this very moment. To have it end this way? It was unbearable.
She dialed Mr. Elderstone’s number. The phone rang three times before he answered.
“Madam.”
“You still recognize me as the head of the family? Do I even exist in your eyes? Release Aurora immediately!” Tina’s voice was sharp, her anger barely contained.
Mr. Elderstone’s tone was calm but firm. “I should ask you, do you still have the family in your heart? You’ve hidden the existence of such a grown daughter for over ten years!
You know Mr. Grant has always been pushing for Mio to become the head. Did you forget your mother’s dying words?
Our family has always been led by women, for generations. Do you know what chaos would ensue if those wolves took control?
If the family loses its power under your watch, how will you face our ancestors?” His voice grew unsteady with emotion.
“Mr. Elderstone, this is the 21st century. Ancestors? The dead feel nothing. Why are you so stubborn?
Do you think being the head of the family is such a great thing? If it were, why would I have run away back then? I don’t want my daughter to walk this path. I just want her to have a happy, peaceful life.”
Their views were irreconcilable. To Mr. Elderstone, nothing mattered but the family’s interests. He would sacrifice anything for the family.
To Tina, she was just a mother. And to a mother, her child’s happiness was everything.
“You’ve strayed so far from the family’s values! Do you think this is what your mother wanted? Your health is deteriorating, and I didn’t know you had a daughter. That’s why I compromised and prepared Mio to take over the business.”
This was why Tina had kept Aurora’s identity a secret. She knew that if Mr. Elderstone found out, he would bring Aurora back to force her into the role of heir.
“What about Aurora? What have you done to her? She knows nothing of this!”
“I’ve told her everything. And she has agreed to take on the role of head of the family.”