**Chapter 19: The Compromise of the Family**  

For Ellie and Lucas, the biggest shift came from the press conference. Ellie's reputation improved quickly and so did the company's image, but damaging publicity had made too great of an impact. Lucas's family was still lingering as a fearsome shadow. 

Residually, Stanton Medical Group was slowly regaining its notoriety, but Ellie's reputation seemed to have changed much more swiftly. Earning the respect from clients and nursing professionals was majorly getting positive feedback, but growth in the company's reputation came as a result of working with negative publicity as well. 

Elizabeth and Richard Hunter were both well-known names in the business world and very recently Ellie found out just how against her relationship with Lucas they were, but it was painfully obvious that both of them were decidedly against her and Lucas. While she had already clarified her stance to grudgingly make peace with Lucas, as it was apparent they were very much in love despite the distrust, she was fully intent on fostering any form of affection. 

"Miss White," said Clara while looking through the folder. Now her expressions were turning out to be firm as ever. "My Mr. Hunter's family has booked an appointment for your direction." 

"Are you okay?" Clara? If so, let me go to the boardroom," said Ellie. At that moment her heart was racing, but for her, the first meeting had to be always shocking. 

The moment that she walked in, she saw Richard and Elizabeth Hunter with half of their faces stooped above the table and they were as emotionless as Ellie, with her heart racing alongside half of it and expressionless. 

"White, Mrs. Hargreaves," Elizabeth meticulously said, "Sit." 

Ellie entrenched her hands on her lap while leaning back on the seat. 

"Things are not going the way we want them to, and we are worried about it." 

Ellie's stomach began to flip, but she centred herself. "I appreciate the sentiments, Mrs. Hunter. I have been making every effort to—" 

"It's not enough," Elizabeth said surprisingly, cutting her off. "You were the source of the rumours and scandals that have inflicted tremendous harm on the family name, and we cannot let that happen." 

Ellie nodded, her mind furious. "I understand, Mrs. Hunter. I have been putting in a lot of effort to solve the accusations placed against me and rectify my reputation." 

Richard's face emerged from behind the desk as his frown deepened. "Everything said in the press conferences or the statements has been taken into account. The damage is still done. We need to act differently." 

Ellie began losing strength, but she mustered the composure to ask, "What do you suggest?" 

Elizabeth gave Richard a look and returned her focus back on Ellie. "We are putting you in a delicate position and will send an ultimatum. You either resign from the company and sever any relationship with Lucas, or we will deal with it." 

Ellie felt the anxiety escalating, but she steadied herself, "Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, I do not undermine your worries, but I do respect the fact that I have earned my place here.

"I will not walk away without a fight," an incredulous and agitated Elizabeth responded. Barton watched the company's glaringly hostile stance as his frustration turned palpable. "I admire your insolence, Ms. White, but you're failing to grasp the scope of your actions. We are ordering you to withdraw from the company. If you decide to refuse, you will bear consequences."

Barton and Reedy could almost see sparks of rage erupting from Ells' emotionally unfiltered state, "I get what you're trying to say, but you can be rest assured that I won't be easily bullied, or in this case, bribed to give up everything that I have worked tirelessly for."

"Let me put this more bluntly Ms. White: you don't seem to understand that you are making a grave error and we are going to sit by idly while you effortlessly tarnish the reputation of our family," Richard replied. The irony of that statement was lost on Richard concerning the matters at hand. Simultaneously, the remainder of the family tried getting control of their intrapersonal conflicts and directed attention towards listening to each other. No one uttered a word.

"If that is what you have to say, then you're sorely mistaken," in her outrage, Ellie stood up. Now everyone was subjected to her vitriol. "I do not exist for the sole purpose of damaging people's reputations or even worse – get them into conflict. I was recruited to carry out my designated tasks and ensure this company's growth, which I fully intend to do."

With that, she stood, leaving their meeting uninterested in any form of reconciliation. There was anger growing in her neck, flowing vigorously throughout her bloodstream.

She knew that the grudging animosity they were stirring within each of them would take a while to fade, so for now, she would keep them in the forefront.

She understood that what Lucas's family thought about her was beyond her control. What she could manage, however, was how she decided to respond to such an issue.

She had resolved to go above and beyond the ache in her chest.

When Friday afternoon came around, Ellie felt completely drained yet finally at peace.

She managed to get herself through the week and now all she wanted was to rest.

However, while she packed her supplies, Lucas summoned her to his office once more.

"Miss White," he addressed her while keeping an emotionless tone.

Ellie entered the room with her heart pounding. "Yes, Mr. Hunter," she answered.

He gave her a long appraisal and a baffling expression. "For this week's predicament, I believe you have managed yourself... as the bare minimum suffices."

Feeling confused, Ellie attempted to process her answer before speaking. "Thank you, Mr. Hunter."

With barely a head nod, he instructed her to leave.

A glimmer of joy overcame Ellie as she stepped out of his office.

Such words do lack substantive meaning yet throughout the entire week it is still the closest form of praise she has received.

For now, she had to settle for such words and that was more than enough.

The unrelenting and constant family pressure has been exceeded.

Now she is free to face any obstacles that dare cross her path.