Ambrose looked at his daughter, a storm of emotions swirling within him. Two years had passed since she left, and now she was back, entangled with someone who had manipulated her for his own gain.
"Dad, it's over now. I want nothing to do with him," Aura asserted, determined to clear her father's mind.
Astrid's spirit remained unbroken.
"Is this why you want to take over from me?" Ambrose's voice rose, a blend of surprise and concern.
He didn't want his daughter to handle the company only for revenge. That company had been handled by all the Zeldas. It was his grandfather who built it. He didn't want his daughter to act for self-gain.
"No, I want to contribute meaningfully as your daughter and the heir of the Zelda family," she responded, her sincerity palpable.
"Fine, I'll pass the reins to you," Ambrose announced. Though he had already written down her name, he would introduce her around tomorrow.
"Really?" Aura's excitement bubbled up, almost overwhelming.
"You mentioned needing to discuss it with the board of directors," she reminded him, her resolve unwavering.
"I have already marked your name as my successor," Ambrose said, pride shining in his eyes.
"Thank you, Dad," Aura beamed, standing tall as she embraced him tightly.
*****
In the boardroom of the Zelda company, Aura stood confidently beside her father at the head of the table. With the most shares, he was the Chairperson.
The board consisted of five members, including Ambrose.
Dressed in a striking black tailored suit that exuded authority, Aura commanded attention. The jacket fit her impeccably, its sharp shoulders and matte black fabric creating a striking silhouette that absorbed all distractions. Her trousers were crisply cut, reflecting her polished demeanour.
Eschewing a fussy shirt, she wore a simple, high-collared black shell beneath her jacket. Her only accessories were a modest gold ring and a serious-looking watch. Everything about her screamed confidence: from the flawless cut of her suit to her poised posture. She was undeniably prepared for any challenge, ready to lead and to win.
"As I've already stated, Aura will be taking over. You've all witnessed her relentless dedication to this company," Ambrose announced to the board.
Aura stood there, a sense of triumph swelling within her. Her father had already chosen her as his successor, and it was finally happening. She won't let him or any of the past Zeldas down, including her grandpa.
"You've mentioned this before, and we fully support it," the other board members—men in their thirties, accustomed to following in their fathers' footsteps—confirmed.
Now, Aura stood alone as the sole female among them, also holding the position of president.
They exited the boardroom to attend to other company matters. Though Aura was eager to dive into her role, Ambrose believed it was essential to guide her through every facet before handing over complete control.
They proceeded to the ground floor, which housed the core business operations. The departments were responsible for trade and the supply chain.
Ambrose introduced her to the sourcing and procurement department, where the head of sourcing awaited. The second department was focused on design and merchandising, featuring the furniture designer, merchandising manager, and visual display specialist.
The third department covered logistics and inventory management, including the logistics director, warehouse manager, and inventory analyst.
"All of these individuals are crucial to the company's success, and they'll need your cooperation and support to excel," Ambrose whispered into Aura's ear, reinforcing the importance of her new role.