Tessa finally gave in, lowering her proud head. “I understand, Mom. I’ll handle it.”


    Aurora was a


    was a little surprised.


    She hadn’t expected <b>Grace</b>, who had <b>always </b>sided with Tessa, to actually scold her in front of her.


    But it all made sense now.


    People always prioritized their own interests.


    No matter the situation, nothing mattered


    more than personal gain<b>. </b>


    +25 Bonus


    Once <b>her </b>interests were threatened, even someone like Tessa could be cast aside.


    Aurora set down her fork and turned to Grace. “Mom, I’m done. I’ll head back to my room and rest.”


    “Alright, go rest. Your healthes first”


    Aurora gave <b>a </b>faint smile and said nothing more.


    But that calm, almost indifferent demeanor only made Tessa seethe with anger.


    Who would’ve thought Aurora had <b>grown </b>so arrogant<b>? </b>


    Grace didn’t miss the resentment shing in Tessa’s eyes.


    A flicker of doubt crossed her mind. Had Tessa always been like this? There was something off–something two–faced about her


    Grace offered a light warning. “Tessa, your sister doesn’t need your interference. Just focus on your own issues.”


    She nced at Tessa as she said it.


    That look carried weight.


    She had made her stance perfectly clear.


    All she wanted now was for Tessa to understand her ce.


    She wasn’t expecting the two sisters to get along, but at the very least, they needed to keep up appearances.


    Grace had finally seen things for what they were.


    Tessa lowered her eyes obediently. “Yes, Mom. I understand.”


    But <b>her </b>fists clenched tightly at her sides, her gaze shadowed with resentment.


    Of course, she understood exactly what Grace meant.


    179


    Ever since Aurora hadnded that overseas project, everything had changed.


    In Grace’s eyes,


    she was no longer the same old Aurora.


    +25 Bonus


    And Tessa <b>knew </b>it better than anyone.


    In Grace’s eyes, the one who brought her the most benefit naturally held the higher ground. And between her and Aurora, it was obvious who held more value now.


    Tessa wasn’t blind to the shift. She knew exactly where she stood.


    So, rather <b>than </b>fight it, she decided it was better to lie low for a while. Once the storm passed, she could deal with Aurora in her


    own time<b>. </b>


    For now, Aurora was the golden child in Grace’s eyes.


    She <b>was </b>considered untouchable.


    With that in mind, Tessa quietly returned to her room. Grace merely nced up and said nothing.


    Time passed quickly, and over the next few <b>days</b><b>, </b>Aurora remained at the Walton estate. She barely had time to go home.


    Sometimes, she even stayed overnight at the office, fully focused on pushing the overseas project forward.


    Since no one had any faith in it, she was determined to prove them all wrong. Once it seeded, those shareholders would have


    no room left to talk.


    During this stretch, she and Lucas barely spoke. Seeing each other wasn’t even on the table.


    At first, Aurora found the silence strange.


    But gradually, she started to grow used to life without Lucas around.


    She even caught herself thinking–maybe without her at home, Lucas <b>and </b>his old me were finally enjoying each other’s


    The thought made the corner of her lips curl into a mocking smile.


    If that was the case, why bother going back and disrupting them?


    With that, Aurora threw herself entirely into her work, focused <b>only </b>on elerating the project’s progress.


    But the moreposed she remained, the more restless Lucas became.