Serenity and Zachary York novel Chapter 4056

Married At First Sight Chapter 4056

Chapter 4056
Elora said, “The Ormond family is full of daughters, and my two younger brothers are only seven and six. They’re too young to take on the responsibilities of the family. Big families with their eyes on us see an opportunity—they either attack us openly or scheme in the shadows.
I’ve been running the family business for years now, and I’ve experienced both the warmth and coldness of people, as well as the darker sides of human nature. Even our own relatives hope for our downfall so they can carve up the family’s assets.”
When Elora first took over the business, the older generation—relatives and so-called friends from her grandparents’ and parents’ circles—did everything they could to sabotage her. They plotted against her, tripped her up at every turn, and manipulated her in countless ways.
They saw her as an easy target, someone they could take advantage of. They didn’t want her to gain control of the Ormond family business, let alone establish her authority. Some even conspired with outsiders to undermine her in the corporate world.
She suffered countless losses, endured relentless schemes, and faced several “accidents” that nearly cost her life. It wasn’t until she stared death in the face multiple times that she truly understood the depths of human cruelty. From then on, she resolved to protect herself by becoming colder, tougher, and more calculated.
Taking over her family’s business felt less like running a company and more like fighting for a throne. Like emperors of old, she had to claw her way to the top—and then defend her position fiercely.
It was exhausting, both physically and emotionally. She felt disappointment and weariness, but she endured. And now, after everything, the Ormond family business was firmly in her hands.
The relatives and “friends” who once betrayed her had paid the price. Those who plotted against her were ruined—living lives worse than stray dogs. Some fled Annenburg entirely, cutting off contact in a desperate attempt to protect what little they had left.
As for the ones who tried to take her life? They were rotting in prison.
“Don’t underestimate me just because I’m a woman,” Elora said with steel in her voice. “The family I grew up in taught me to be as ruthless as I needed to be. Showing kindness to enemies is cruelty to yourself. And I have no intention of being cruel to myself.”
She never spared those who harmed her—not when they begged for mercy, and not when they sent others to plead on their behalf. Elora wasn’t a saint, and she never pretended to be one.
“People in my position can’t afford to be saints,” she continued. “If you’re too soft, you’ll destroy yourself. I’ve had to be ruthless. It’s the only way to make others think twice before targeting me or coveting the Ormond family’s assets.”
Yes, most of her generation in the Ormond family were women. But daughters were just as capable of carrying on the family legacy as sons.
The worst of her relatives used to argue that daughters shouldn’t inherit or take over the family business because they would eventually marry and leave.
“Get out of here with that nonsense,” Elora said with a sharp edge. “Who are they to tell me how to run my family?”
Tatum chimed in, his tone somber. “It doesn’t matter who you are or what family you come from—if you’re not strong, you’ll be trampled on. The world isn’t fair. It’s survival of the fittest.” “My grandmother always told us that wealth rarely lasts beyond three generations. She dedicated herself to raising my brothers and me to be strong and capable. Our York family has managed to sustain its fortune for generations, but that’s only because we’ve worked hard to protect the foundation our ancestors built.”
“But nothing lasts forever,” Tatum continued. “Even the biggest companies face the risk of being left behind. The world is changing so fast, and industries are becoming saturated.
Sometimes, it’s not about failing to protect your legacy—it’s about being overtaken by the times.
Sure, we can try to adapt, but successful transformations are rare. And the stakes are enormous. If York Corporation were to go under, nearly 100,000 people would lose their jobs.
Many of them have been with us for 10, 20 years or more. They’re older now, with aging parents and young children to support. Losing their jobs would devastate their lives.” Tatum’s voice softened, a hint of weariness creeping in. “People in power carry a heavy burden. The pressures and worries never go away.”