Chapter 4
The relentless flashes of cameras surged like waves as Antonio and I sat in the eye of the storm in silence.
“That’s the agent who got involved with Antonio? So plain, and yet she landed a superstar. Does that mean I have a chance too…?”
“Keep dreaming. She handed him resources. I even heard she went all in to please certain people… Otherwise, with Antonio’s background, how could he have landed a top–tier director’s favor?”
“Then they definitely shouldn’t have broken up, right? Even if her methods were a bit questionable, at least she was sincere.”
“What do you know? The Hall family would never let Antonio keep a mistress. Besides, they don’t need her resources anyway. Well, Antonio really hit the jackpot this time.”
The venue buzzed with malicious gossip. I tapped the microphone before me, and the hall fell silent instantly.
“As of today, I, Grace Parrish, am resigning from the Aurora Group and retracting all resources. From now on, I have no connection with Antonio.”
Beside me, Antonio frowned. He hadn’t expected me to resign so easily. The carefully crafted excuses he had prepared could no longer be in use.
Antonio even felt a bit disappointed when the drama he had expected didn’t happen.
A journalist quickly stood up, seizing the moment. “Ms. Parrish, what do you mean by ‘retracting all resources‘? Are you implying that all of
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Antonio’s opportunities came from you?”
I smiled. “That’s right.”
The room erupted. Another reporter wasted no time in challenging me. “Ms Parrish, are you saying that you personally secured every deal for Antonio? No one in this industry has that kind of pull. Are you some kind of superwoman‘
Laughter rippled through the crowd. In the audience, Judy frantically gestured at me, her face full of concern.
The urge to defend myself vanished. At that moment, all I wanted was to go home.
“That concludes my statement. I wish Mr. Kaufman and Ms. Hall a lifetime of happiness.”
I paused, glancing at Antonio beside me. His entire body was tense, his stance defensive.
It was pathetic to see someone I was once close to now looking at me like I was a thief.
But it was fine. I was only here to reclaim what was mine.
Everything, I meant.
“I wish Mr. Kaufman a bright future in the industry.”
Ignoring Antonio’s stormy expression, I turned and walked into the VIP lounge, where my father, Steven Parrish, was waiting.
“So, this is what you’ve reduced yourself to. Happy now?
“I told you before–things that come too easily are never valued.”
Charter
I nodded, too exhausted to argue. My father sighed and then pulled me into his arms.
“Running around when you’re not even fully recovered… Keep this up, and you’ll regret it when you’re old and suffering from gout.”
My nose stung. I was overwhelmed by guilt after all these years of willfulness.
Suddenly, the door burst open. Antonio barged in, a horde of paparazzi at his heels.
“I knew it. You walked away so easily because you’ve already latched onto your sugar daddy.”
His voice was ice–cold. He grabbed me from my father’s arms, his eyes sweeping over Steven with unconcealed disdain.
“An old man like that? Seriously? You’re disgusting.
“If you want something, why not come to me? Grace, you have nothing left now. Get on your knees and beg, and I might let you work as a receptionist at my new company.”
I yanked my arm free, smoothing my hair in the mirror. Then, with a proper smile, I faced the flashing cameras.
“Allow me to reintroduce myself.”
Taking the equity transfer document from the legal director beside me, made an announcement.
“I am Grace Parrish, a new board director of the Aurora Group.”
“This is my father, Steven Parrish.”
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