Chapter 538
Judy’s smile turned even more bitter, her eyes heavy with unspoken stories. “There’s one thing you need to understand—spending money on a man is a surefire way to ruin your life. And their words? Never take them at face value.”
Hearing that, Lina felt a pang of sympathy for the woman in front of her. On most days, Judy seemed unstoppable, capable of handling anything that came her way. But in this moment, as they talked, Lina suddenly saw her differently. She had assumed someone at Judy’s level wouldn’t have so many worries. She imagined Judy faced life with a smile, always in control. But now, she wasn’t so sure.
It seemed like Judy had gone through far more than she let on. It was true—what one saw on the surface rarely reflected what someone carried inside. Lina nodded solemnly. “Don’t worry, Judy. I hear you loud and clear. I’ll remember your advice. Whatever I do, I’ll always put myself first. I won’t let some lousy man fool me.”
Judy gave her a satisfied smile and patted her on the shoulder. “Alright then, get back to it. I’ve got contracts to deal with.”
Once Lina left, Judy returned to her office. Compared to the past, her personality had calmed considerably. She wasn’t as reckless as before. Now, she could face most things with composure. She had come to believe that saving others wasn’t as important as saving herself. Everyone in this world was just trying to survive their own path. As she looked at the files before her, life suddenly felt a little brighter.
At the Walton estate.
Grace stared at the contract in front of her, feeling completely drained. Her body and mind no longer worked with the sharpness they once had. Ever since Aurora had stepped into the company, she had taken on more and more of its responsibilities. Her role as chairwoman now relied mostly on the network she had built over the years—maintaining relationships, managing partnerships, and keeping operations steady. That was how the division of labor worked: Grace handled external affairs, while Aurora focused on internal operations, overseeing data and major strategic collaborations. It was this dynamic that had propelled Walton Corporation to greater heights. But now, with Aurora suddenly ill, the company felt like it had lost its core. The momentum was gone.
And just thinking about it gave Grace a splitting headache. As Tessa came downstairs, she caught sight of her mother rubbing her temples, visibly troubled. She hurried over, concern in her voice. “Mom, what’s wrong? You look upset. Did something happen with the company?”
Grace looked up at her daughter, warmth flickering in her eyes. “It’s nothing, Tessa. I’m just getting older. Everything feels harder now. My body isn’t what it used to be, that’s all.”
Tessa’s heart ached at the sight of her. “Mom, we’re grown now. You don’t have to carry all of this alone. Let us take on more. It’s time you gave yourself a break. Other parents your age are already enjoying retirement, and here you are still working yourself to the bone. It really hurts to see you like this.”
Chapter 539