Skyler once said, "My daughter has been raised infort and luxury since birth, and there''s no reason for her life to be a struggle."


    But he never ruled with an iron fist-he didn''t force Aurora into the arts against her will.


    Instead, heid out two options for her.


    First option: follow his n, apply to a conservatory or an art school, and he would grant her fifteen percent ownership in The Williams Group.


    Second option: do as she pleased, attend any university she wished, but she''d be on her own-no assistance from him, no shares, nothing.


    Fifteen percent of the Williams family holdings wasn''t just a fortune for an ordinary person; even among the European elite, it was a staggering sum. Of her three brothers, only the eldest held as much as fifteen percent. Israel and Coleman


    each had just ten.


    Skyler''s willingness to offer Aurora that much was proof enough of how much she mattered to him.


    So Aurora chose the shares, and enrolled at an arts academy.


    She was gifted to begin with, having received a world-ss education from childhood. She was fluent in every elite pursuit-painting, literature, music. Picking up the violin was hardly a challenge for her.


    Yes, she majored in music, just like Ste did-specifically, the violin.


    Skyler loved listening to violin music.


    From her brothers, Aurora learned that Mrs. Williams had once been an


    extraordinary violinist herself. She suspected that Skyler''s insistence on the violin had everything to do with histe wife.


    But it didn''t matter to her. Learning was learning; it made no difference what the subject was.


    As for Ste...


    Aurora never considered her a rival.


    She''d grown up in the very heart of high society, never having to lift a finger to enjoy the best of everything. Ste, on the other hand while Mrs. Williams ensured Ste nevercked for anything-still lived a life that, for most people, would''ve seemed privileged.


    Butpared to the Williams family, it was worlds apart.


    Ste had lost the race before it even began.


    How could Ste possiblypare?


    Aurora might have been illegitimate, but she was still Skyler''s daughter. Ste, though she had the legitimacy of birth, had lost her advantage, and now lived in the shadows.


    As Aurora and Coleman were chatting, Israel Williams-Coleman''s twin-walked in.


    "What''s so funny?" Israel was much more outgoing than his brother''s usual iciness.


    He nced at the freshly brewed tea on the table, picked up a cup, and took a sip. "Perfect timing. I was just getting thirsty."


    Aurora smiled, pouring him another cup. "We were just talking about Raven." Israel''s hand stilled mid-sip, his sharp brows arching. "Ste?"


    Aurora noticed the way he said her name, her eyes glinting with curiosity. Ever since Ste returned to the family, even after their father had changed her name to Raven, Israel had always called her Ste.


    Aurora knew—Israel had never really seen Ste as his sister.


    Israel seemed to catch her meaning. "What, is she trying to get back in touch with Dad? Figures. Things must''ve gone badly for her out there, so now she wants toe home and be the pampered heiress again."


    Aurora nced at him. "Did things really go so badly? From what I''ve seen, she seems to be thriving in Novaris. She''s be a charity ambassador, a social media


    celebrity with millions of followers."


    Israelughed softly. "After Father heard news about Ste recently, he wanted


    her back, so he had me look into what she''s been up to these past five years. Guess what I found?"


    For once, Coleman looked intrigued. "What did you find?"