Tina had changed out of her hospital gown and into a long black dress, exuding an aura that warned others to keep their distance.
Even John Walsh, who had once been soft-spoken and gentle at the nursing home, now stood solemnly behind her, his demeanor completely transformed.
When the others saw Tina appear, their expressions shifted dramatically.
“Master,” they greeted, their voices tense.
“What’s wrong? Did you all think I was on my deathbed? Is that why you’ve been acting so brazenly?” Tina’s voice was sharp, slicing through the air like a blade cutting flesh, cold and unyielding.
Her presence alone spoke volumes. She wasn’t just the head of the family-she commanded absolute respect. The instant she spoke, the atmosphere shifted entirely.
Even Mr. Grant, who had been swaggering moments ago, immediately shrank back, his arrogance dissolving like a mouse caught in a cat’s gaze.
“Master, you seem to be in much better health. That’s truly wonderful news,” one of them quickly said, trying to appease her.
But the coldness on Tina’s face didn’t waver. “If I hadn’t recovered, would my daughter have been bullied to death by you lot?”
“Master, what are you saying? We’ve always treated Miss Aurora with the utmost respect-how could we ever bully her?”
“Whether you’ve bullied her or not, I’m not interested in debating that with you. Mr. Grant, you just claimed that Mio is the only one worthy of becoming the head of this family. Since when, exactly, did you have the authority to decide that? When did my family become yours to rule?”
From the moment Tina entered the room, she had been targeting Mr. Grant with unrelenting precision. Her years of cunning and dominance were evident. If her methods weren’t so formidable, Mr. Grant wouldn’t have been so subdued in her presence.
“Master, you’ve misunderstood. It’s just that Mr. Elderstone and the others broke the rules first by winning through dishonorable means. I simply voiced my concerns.”
“Dishonorable? Fine. Let me ask you this: what is the family’s long-standing rule for choosing the next head?” Tina’s voice was icy as she stared him down, and Mr. Grant couldn’t even meet her gaze.
“The position is inherited by the current head’s daughter,” he admitted reluctantly.
“For hundreds of years, that has been our rule. I may have been in a nursing home recently, but I’m far from dead. And yet you couldn’t wait to overturn the system? My daughter becoming the head of this family is her birthright. What gives you the authority to rewrite the rules? Who gave you the power to decide? If anyone here has objections, stand up and say it now!”
Tina’s voice reverberated through the room, silencing everyone. The icy tension in her tone made it clear that she wasn’t someone to be trifled with. Those who had previously voiced dissent now didn’t dare to utter a word.
As the head of the family, Tina held absolute control. She was their lifeline, their emperor in all but name. Every privilege they enjoyed, every profit they earned at the end of the year, hinged on her decisions. Crossing her would be tantamount to self-destruction.
It was only because Tina’s health had declined that some had dared to entertain disloyal thoughts.
Mr. Grant, in particular, had taken advantage of the situation, convincing many to support Mio’s rise by promising them greater dividends at the year’s end.
However, there were still loyalists, like Mr. Elderstone, who had remained steadfast. The family had splintered into two factions, and after Tina fell unconscious, the rivalry had only intensified.
Mr. Elderstone had been left with no choice but to temporarily hand over control of the company to Mio. Mr. Grant, emboldened by his apparent victory, had seen his plans progress exactly as he intended-until Aurora unexpectedly stepped into the picture.
Aurora became the obstacle he hadn’t foreseen. That was when Mr. Grant began goading Mio into taking drastic measures against her.
He had warned Mio that Aurora needed to be eliminated for him to ascend to the headship.
Blinded by ambition, Mio had agreed. Becoming the head of the family had become an obsession for him. He had been one step away from absolute power, and in a moment of weakness, he gave in to Mr. Grant’s scheme.
But Aurora survived, defying all odds. Now, Mio was wracked with guilt and unease, ashamed of how close he had come to harming an innocent life.
Tina’s appearance was the final blow. Her vitality and commanding presence were nothing like the frail figure Mr. Grant had seen in the nursing home. He was already beginning to panic.
“What’s wrong? No one has anything to say?” Tina’s voice cut through the silence. “If that’s the case, I’ll take it as your consent. From this day forward, Aurora is the president of our company and the head of this family. I hereby transfer all my authority to her.”
Tina’s declaration was calm but absolute, leaving no room for argument.
Mr. Grant opened his mouth as if to protest, but in the end, he hesitated and said nothing.
Tina’s piercing gaze fell upon him. “Mr. Grant, if you have something to say, speak up. Don’t skulk in the shadows. I despise underhanded scheming.”
“Master, while it’s true that the family’s rules are clear, Miss Aurora is… an unusual choice. She wasn’t even raised within the family.
“The competition for the contract was meant to test her abilities, but her opponent turned out to be her fiance. How is that supposed to convince us?
“Becoming the head of this family isn’t a trivial matter. It requires making decisions that could determine the fate of everyone here. I simply worry that Miss Aurora is too young and lacks the experience to bear such a responsibility. Our objections are only in the family’s best interests.”
Mr. Grant’s words sounded righteous, but they were laced with deceit. He painted himself as the only one with pure intentions, shifting all the blame onto Aurora.
“You doubt her abilities? Hah, that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day. Erica, bring it over.”
Tina was clearly prepared for this confrontation.
No one knew what she was planning, but Mr. Grant watched intently as Erica handed her a stack of documents.
“These are Aurora’s accomplishments over the past four years,” Tina began. “She founded two companies from scratch, without any support.
“One of them became publicly traded in just three years, and the other has already made waves in Clothville in only six months. Her business acumen has even been featured in the press.
“She may be young, but the hardships she’s endured and the paths she’s walked outstrip those of most people in this room. And she has another hidden identity.”
“What hidden identity?” someone asked.
“She is DO, the renowned jewelry designer. Even those unfamiliar with jewelry design have likely heard of her. She’s celebrated as a miraculous creator, admired by many.
“She’s excelled across multiple industries. Tell me, can any of you match her achievements? If anyone here believes they’re more qualified to lead this family, stand up now, and I’ll hand the position over.”
Tina’s gaze swept across the room.
Mr. Grant was silent.
The others, who had once doubted Aurora, were now stunned. Her accomplishments were undeniable.
“She’s DO? My daughter loves her designs!” someone exclaimed.