Aurora and Tina spent the entire day together. After all, Tina was her biological mother. Even though Aurora couldn’t remember their past, there was an innate, unspoken bond between mother and daughter. With Aurora by her side, Tina’s mood lightened significantly. Her smile lingered throughout the day, and John Walsh, noticing her radiant demeanor, felt as if she had returned to her carefree younger days.
The next morning, Aurora set an alarm and woke up early. However, perhaps because her body clock had been disrupted recently, she struggled to open her eyes even at 7:30. Nonetheless, her willpower won out. Rubbing her groggy eyes, she forced herself to wake up.
After freshening up, she headed downstairs. “Miss Aurora, good morning!” The same scene from the previous day played out. Aurora felt as though she were royalty in this household. Standing dutifully behind her was Carmine, ever meticulous, holding a notebook with the day’s itinerary.
“Miss Aurora, it’s 8 a. m. It’s time to head to the company. If we leave now, we should arrive by 8:35,” Carmine reported, his tone as precise as a clock. Aurora appreciated his diligence; rather than finding it bothersome, she found comfort in his attention to detail.
At the office, the receptionist greeted her warmly. “Miss Montgomery, are you here to see the president again?”
Aurora smiled faintly. “No, I’m here to be the president,” she replied, stepping into the elevator.
Five assistants followed her. The entourage turned heads as they moved through the building. There was an almost palpable energy about Aurora, as if even the hem of her clothes carried a breeze. The elevator took her straight to the president’s office. Her mother had already briefed her on many company matters the previous day, and Aurora had committed them all to memory.
Passing by the vice president’s office, Mio greeted her with a casual, “Well, you’re here early.”
“Vice President, work is work, and personal matters are personal. In the office, please address me as President,” Aurora replied with a serious expression. Mio smirked, feeling slighted by the young woman. “Ha, this president’s seat… let’s see if you can hold onto it,” he remarked coolly.
Without turning, Aurora said, “When the day comes that I can’t, feel free to remind me, Vice President.” With that, she walked confidently toward the president’s office.
She had been here once before but couldn’t recall the visit. The office felt cold and lifeless, as though it lacked a human touch. “Carmine,” she called.
“Yes, President?”
“Ask the procurement department to bring me some greenery-hanging plants or pothos, for instance. This office feels too barren,” Aurora instructed, recalling how her mother had grown colder since her return. Working in such an environment daily would only deepen that chill.
“Understood. Anything else, President?”
“Not for now. I’ll let you know if I need anything else.”
“Yes, President.”
Aurora began reviewing the company’s accounts, analyzing past collaborations and identifying competitors. These tasks required time and a deep understanding. To succeed, she needed to familiarize herself with the company’s operations quickly. Carmine checked in every hour, reminding her to take breaks. Although she wasn’t visibly showing yet, overexertion wasn’t an option.
Aurora, naturally a perfectionist, had a strong urge to see tasks through to completion. But now, with her child in mind, she had softened somewhat. During breaks, she’d read books or browse the news, letting the day pass at a steady pace.
In quieter moments, she would daydream about her future partner-what he might look like, when they might meet, and if she’d even recognize him. She wasn’t sorrowful; both Mr. Elderstone and her mother had assured her that he loved her deeply. Perhaps, one day, they would cross paths again, unexpectedly.
Tina had also warned Aurora about Mio’s past attempts to harm her. To ensure her safety, Tina arranged for ten personal bodyguards to protect her around the clock. Carmine personally oversaw Aurora’s meals, wary of any potential threats.
This time, however, Mio wasn’t planning anything sinister. He wanted to prove his mettle and make Aurora acknowledge his abilities. After all, now that Aurora had returned to the family, any harm coming to her would only jeopardize his own position as head of the family-a risk he wasn’t foolish enough to take.
Over the next few days, Aurora adapted to her new role at the company. She handled various tasks with ease, including a previously rejected proposal. The project’s lead, Mark, had struggled with it, as Mio had dismissed it three times, each time harshly criticizing him.
Mark approached Aurora hesitantly. “Miss Montgomery, this is my proposal. Could you take a look?”
Aurora spent a few minutes reviewing it thoroughly. “It’s well-done, but there’s a small detail that needs adjustment. Come here, and I’ll explain,” she said.
Mark had braced himself for yet another scolding, expecting either fury or ignorant approval. To his surprise, Aurora was neither. Instead, she patiently pointed out the issue, instantly resolving something that had long puzzled him.
“Thank you, Miss Montgomery. I’ve been stuck on this for so long,” he said, clearly relieved.
“There’s no need to thank me. It’s my responsibility. Go ahead and make the changes,” Aurora replied.
“I’ll revise it and bring it back to you shortly.”
“Alright.”
Mark returned to his colleagues, singing Aurora’s praises and sharing his positive experience. Her reputation grew, and she began to win over the staff.
During her first days at the company, Aurora handled everything with precision. Even Mio, who had initially wanted to ridicule her, found himself impressed. He had assumed her success was due to external help and doubted her abilities. Yet, after observing her work, he realized he had underestimated her. Aurora’s calm and methodical approach left no room for error. She was, after all, the president of two companies and had long mastered such challenges.