CHAPTER 346: CHAPTER 346: SETTLING GRUDGES -1

Even the thought of it made the bystanders suck in cold breaths. For the Hawthornes, this was not just money. It was a heavy price that could change their strength in the market.

Victor’s hands curled into fists at his side. His heart was burning, but his mind told him the truth. He had already gone too far against Aurora and the Waters family. If he refused her condition, then Aurora might strike harder.

Finally, he forced a deep breath and looked at Aurora. His voice was heavy but without resistance this time.

"This time," he said slowly, "we were at fault. We will remember this. We will not go against the Waters family again."

Aurora’s calm smile returned. She nodded lightly and said, "That would be the best outcome. It is good for the Hawthorne family, and it is good for the Waters family."

Victor gave a stiff nod. His pride was crushed, but he was glad at least that she had not asked for more.

But then Aurora suddenly chuckled. Her eyes gleamed with something sharp again.

"Though," she said softly, "there is indeed one more matter that needs your attention."

Victor’s face darkened instantly. His patience was stretched thin, and he felt a fire burn in his chest.

"Ms. Dawn," he said, his voice carrying warning, "you should not push things too much."

Aurora’s lips curved into another calm smile. She tilted her head slightly, her tone cold but light.

"It was not I who pushed things too much," she said. "It was your son."

Victor froze where he stood. His eyes widened in shock. "My son?" he repeated, his voice rising. "What do you mean?"

Aurora’s smile did not fade. Instead, it deepened with quiet certainty.

"You recently acknowledged an illegitimate child of yours," she said clearly. "That boy went so far as to make his own ex- wife lose her child."

The words exploded like thunder in the hall. People nearby gasped loudly. Some covered their mouths with their hands.

Victor looked completely stunned. His face went pale, and he shook his head, his voice breaking. "What... what do you mean by that?"

Aurora only chuckled softly. She looked at him with eyes that were calm yet merciless. She opened her mouth to continue, but just then a trembling hand reached out and touched her arm.

It was Emily. Her face was pale, her lips pressed together tightly, and her whole body was shaking. She shook her head again and again.

"No," Emily whispered, her voice low but filled with fear. "You cannot do this."

Aurora turned her head slightly, her brows lifting in surprise.

Emily’s eyes shone with unshed tears as she spoke quickly.

"Victor has already receded. He has already paid such a heavy price. If you continue to push, Miss Dawn, then you will make an enemy of a very strong power. I do not want that. I do not want you to carry my pain on your shoulders."

Her words trembled with emotion, but her eyes were steady.

"I lost my child, yes. I was filled with resentment. But I know when something is too heavy for me to fight. He is too lucky, too protected. That is why he remains safe while I suffer. That is destiny. And I... I can bear it."

Emily’s lips quivered. Her heart was heavy, but she had decided. "I cannot let you offend such a big powerhouse just because of me. I will endure this injustice. I will live with it."

Her voice cracked at the last words, and her head bowed low.

Aurora looked at her quietly. Then she reached out a hand and gently patted Emily’s trembling hand. A warm smile appeared on her face.

"Emily," she said softly, "you are wrong. You are not just an employee. You are my family member. You are my godmother. Of course I will make sure you get justice."

Emily’s eyes went wide. She looked up at Aurora, stunned.

Aurora’s smile was warm, but her voice was steady.

"How could I ignore this? How could I stay silent when you were hurt so deeply? Even if it was only once that you spoke to me about your pain, I remembered it. I remember every grudge. And I will not let it go."

Emily’s eyes blurred with tears. Her chest tightened as she realized the depth of Aurora’s care.

She had thought she was just a small figure, a shadow next to Aurora’s bright success. Yet here Aurora was, treating her like blood family.

She bit her lip, and her tears fell silently.

She turned her head away so others would not see, but her grip on Aurora’s hand loosened slightly. Inside her heart, she was filled with gratitude.

Aurora turned her gaze back to Victor. Her smile faded, replaced by cold determination.

"I will not let anyone get away with crimes they have done," she said firmly.

"Whether it is the attack on the Waters family or the injustice done to Emily. Every debt will be paid. Every grudge will be answered."

Victor’s chest rose and fell heavily as he took a long breath. His heart was beating so fast it felt like it might burst. Slowly, he raised his head and looked straight at Aurora. His voice was low and tight, almost trembling.

"What do you mean, Ms. Dawn?" he asked.

Aurora leaned back slightly in her seat, her eyes calm and sharp. She spoke in a voice that carried across the hall, but it was not loud. It was steady, clear, and merciless.

"I mean exactly what I said, Victor. The son you recently acknowledged, the one you welcomed into your Hawthorne family a year ago... his name is George, correct?"

Victor’s throat went dry. He nodded stiffly.

Aurora’s gaze turned even colder. "That George had an ex-wife. Her name is Emily." She pointed gently toward the trembling woman beside her.

"Emily was carrying his child. She should have been a mother. Yet George destroyed that chance. He acted with cruelty, and Emily miscarried. Do you know what is worse, Victor? Even after she lost her baby, her cries for justice were silenced. Silenced by you."