Chapter Ten The Masks slips.
The day began as if nothing had changed. Ruth arrived at Gold Holdings for a scheduled meeting, her stride calm but purposeful. The air in the boardroom felt different today- heavier, watching. Her father was already seated, flanked by Veronica and two senior executives whose names she had long stopped pretending to remember.
She was already prepared for the meeting. She knew the matters that would be discussed, and she had prepared answers. She was gentle, serious and mean. Today, she will decide fate In her father's company and also decide tomorrow. The only thing that makes sense to her is her conviction about Hayden and herself. Her face looked pretty, lovely but inside her heart were concluding thoughts. She offered a clipped smile and took her seat. But it was clear - something had shifted.
" Ruth," Maxwell began, "there has been growing concern about your involvement outside the company".
"I am aware", she said evenly.
Veronica leaned forward." You've made yourself a spectacle. The daughter of Gold Holdings involved In street causes, charity cases, non profitable charity works, some purposeless assignment and unvetted individuals. It's not the image we cultivated".
"You mingle with low class people and gather some poverty stricken children all in the name of "Charity works", these things you do is totally unacceptable", Veronica continued.
" You have also made yourself a laughing stock', a lot of people are asking why would the daughter of a billionaire become so cheap with a low classed musician", why will you bring yourself so low to move around with a" nobody", Veronica ended.
" I'm not interested in images",
Ruth replied. I'm interested in substance"
" You're a Gold", Maxwell snapped
You don't get a pick and choose person, stop behaving cheaply in the eyes of the world.
You're bringing shame and disgrace to me and to Gold Holdings. I am not happy with your shameless behavior. There are people you shouldn't move around with. You are a face in Gold Holdings
Then when it happened- an unguarded moment. A flash of anger cracked through Maxwell's perfect facade. His face flushed, voice rising as he continued his tirade.
"You're bringing reproach to me and Gold Holdings, I never raised you to romance poverty with a worthless and poverty- stricken person".
I raised you to be an honor and to represent Gold Holdings honorably but you chose otherwise.
Ruth replied"Hayden Is not poor, success is not measured by the acquisition of gold and silver. Hayden is purposeful and vision- driven
If this is the shame I have brought upon you, so let it be". Ruth said.
" This isn't about your passion, Ruth! It's about control. Discipline. You are throwing everything away to chase somebody boy and dance with delinquents.
Silence fell.
" I see, " she said quietly, " So it was never about values you raised me with. It was always controlled". It is not about truth, purpose, vision and character, it's about control, and what people say and what you think"!
For the first time, Maxwell's face showed something other than rage- doubt. And others saw it too. The carefully constructed mask of the empire patriarch slipped, revealing something bitter beneath: Insecurity, fear and perhaps guilt.
Ruth stood
" I will not apologize for seeking truth, for standing beside people who have less and yet give more. If being a Gold means silencing my voice, then maybe I don't need to be!!
She walked out, this time not as a girl in rebellion- but as a woman in defiance. She is not a rebellious girl but she's fighting for what she believes. She's not deterred about the outcome. She wants to achieve something that is weightier than wealth and influence. Her confidence on this matter had been strong and unwavering.
The masks have slipped. And with it she had an illusion of control. The executives glanced at each other. Veronica Palled. The word couldn't be unsaid
Ruth didn't flinch.
"You walk away now," Veronica warned, her voice barely a whisper," and you walk from your inheritance, and everything".
" Your walking out also means walking out from the good things your father had planned for you".
"Then I will be walking into something better". Ruth said.
As she reached the door, she paused and turned. "One more thing", you raised me to be strong. Just never expected me to use that strength against you", I will not relent on pursuing what I believe, I will use my strength positively to fight anyone who stands in my way. This is my decision and it remains final.
As she walked out, her spine straight, her breath even, her heart finally unburdened.
At the extreme, Leo sat there. She met Leo sitting near the back, rose from the chair,
" I support her," he said
Wholeheartedly".
Shock rippled across the room
Maxwell's voice wavered. " You will regret this".
I Will make sure I will deal with you by taking this step".
Ruth smiled,"Only if I come back".
She left the boardroom as a different woman than the one who had entered. She wasn't asking for space anymore- she was claiming it.
Outside the wind up as she stepped into the sunlight. She breathed deeply, feeling the cold rush of the reality meet. The warmth of her resolve somewhere between the glass towers and the ground beneath her feet. Ruth Gold has become her own. She had always wanted to be free of what she calls" wealthy bondage". She is glad that her choice can be heard and her voice can also be heard.
Ruth had never sounded like this all through her life, her father was very surprised to see her behave this manner. Her pursuit for something more meaningful than riches had given her confidence she got. Her choice and decision isn't going to make her regret. She had taken and chosen the right path. The challenges she will face is not a problem to her.
Hours later, Ruth stood on the rooftop of her mother's old art studio, watching the sun dip into the skyline. Her phone buzzes, an email from a reporter at the Vernty journal. They wanted her side of the story. A chance to speak. No scripts. No edits. She tapped out a reply: Let's talk. She was ready to let the world know what she's going through. She was not going to hide anything.
The time to speak and be free has come, though it won't be easy. But she wants her voice to be heard beyond the Gold company.
The empire had cracked, and through the fracture, something radiant had begun to shine. Something colorful had begun to happen in Ruth's life, she can now live with the man she has chosen and also become priceless.
No doubt, the empire may suffer a little setback after the exit of Ruth, but it would not be obvious. Ruth's concern is that she has broken out of the " Shell of deceit" to embrace truth, love and honesty.
There is nothing that is more treasurable to Ruth other than the encounter with Hayden. Her father sees it as a romance with poverty and a big waste of time but she sees it in another perspective. One of the unique things she has found in her relationship with Hayden is that both of them are resilient and tough. They were there for each other.
The fight for true love and honesty is never an easy one but the fighters will triumph at the end.