Chapter 55: Ava’s resolve
"Why would I apologize to him?" Ava shot back, her voice rising above everyone else’s. "I did nothing wrong. His childhood friend, Gianna, lied about me, and because of those lies, I was attacked. I was humiliated. People talked about me like I was the villain and Dylan—" she paused, the sting of betrayal fresh in her voice, "Dylan supported her instead of standing by my side."
Her words silenced the room momentarily, and some of the board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
"I am done with him," she added, glancing around the people around the table. "This marriage is over. I’m not going to beg him or anyone for help."
"Thomas," the man with gray hair said, "your daughter is making a grave mistake. You need to stop her, or we’re all doomed."
Thomas exhaled deeply, visibly worn by the weight of the situation. But his resolve was firm. "We’re here to discuss the company’s issues, not my daughter’s personal life," he stated calmly but authoritatively. "Whatever decision she makes, I’ll support her. Without bothering about whether she is ending her marriage with Dylan Brooks or not, why don’t we consider her suggestion?"
The room erupted again. "This is absurd!" another member shouted, his fists slamming the table in frustration. "There is no point in entertaining her suggestion. Nicholas is one of the Bakers, and we all know the deep-rooted animosity between the Bakers and the Brooks. If we take Nicholas’s help, it will only enrage Mr. Brooks further. We can’t afford to turn him into an enemy!"
"It’s a business," Ava’s voice rang out, her words commanding attention. "If someone turns their back on us, we have every right to explore other options. Nicholas is the best option."
Her eyes sparkled with determination as she continued, "Let me remind you all: Nicholas may share the Baker name, but he is not part of the Baker family. He has no involvement in the feud between the two families."
Her statement forced the board members to pause and reconsider.