Even now, Grace was still separating the Hayes family from Julian, as if the rest of them bore no responsibility.


    So, what was the point of that?


    Aurora’s lips curved faintly. “So, you think Julian wasn’t shaped by the Hayes family? If a son goes astray, the father bears the me. Are you really saying that old man had nothing to do with it?”


    Grace was momentarily at a loss for words.


    In the end, she simply gave up the argument. “Say whatever you want. I just can’t go back on my word. That’s something I’m not willing to do.”


    Aurora found it almostughable.


    But she also knew that once her mother made a decision, she would never change it easily.


    There was no point in pushing further and only irritating her.


    Why put herself in a position where she would end up pleasing no one?


    “Since you’ve already made up your mind, there’s no point in me saying any more.”


    She rose to her feet. “Madam Grace, next time something like thises up, you don’t need to consult me. Just make the decision yourself.”


    With that, Aurora turned to leave.


    But Grace, remembering her original reason for calling her in, called out, “Wait, I had something else I wanted to discuss with you.”


    Aurora didn’t even look back. “It’s fine. You don’t need to consult me–I’ll follow thepany’s decision without question.”


    Grace felt her anger re at the sight of her like this.


    Her voice rose sharply. “Is this the attitude you use to speak to your mother?”


    <b>“</b>Madam Grace, we’re in the office. Here, we’re just superior and subordinate.”


    Aurora turned, her gaze sharp and unyielding.


    The truth was, she was furious.


    But she also knew there was no changing the reality of her mother’s decision.


    But the frustration sat in her chest like a stone, impossible to release.


    Facing Grace’s self–righteous expression only deepened the dissatisfaction in her heart.


    And now, using her position as the elder to press down on her–it left Aurora speechless.


    She had never imagined there woulde a day when things between her and Grace would reach this


    point.


    They had still been on good terms back when she was in the hospital.


    Grace, seeing Aurora’s proud and unyielding stance, felt her own irritation rise.


    She was the elder, yet in front of Aurora, she couldn’t seem to earn even a shred of respect.


    What was the point of being a mother if that respect wasn’t there?


    “So, do you still acknowledge me as your mother?”


    The question stopped Aurora in her tracks.


    She hadn’t expected Grace to be so blunt.


    “That’s not what I meant.”


    Aurora lowered her gaze slightly. It was clear that, deep down, she still regarded Grace as her mother.


    She knew very well what lines could and couldn’t be crossed.


    But the resentment still lodged inside her, and eventer, thinking back to this moment, her chest would ache faintly.


    For Tessa’s sake, Grace was willing to let the Hayes family go.


    Even after what Julian had done to her, she was truly willing to spare them.


    The thought made Aurora’s vision dim for a moment.


    She no longer knew what frame of mind she should have when speaking to Grace about these matters because she realized there was no point,


    “Madam Grace, what is it you wanted to discuss with me?”


    This time, Aurora forced herself to steady her emotions, reminding herself not to get so angry and not to overthink it.