In the end, we reached apromise-Aurora would apply to a conservatory.


    Aspensation, I agreed to give her fifteen percent of the shares.


    Ste couldn''t help but find it all deeply ironic.


    Aurora was a science prodigy, but the school she wanted had nothing to do with engineering or physics. She wasn''t drawn to a top technical university; instead, she set her sights on business school.


    Business school? What did that have to do with her talents in science?


    Did they really think she was so na?ve, just because she''d never been to college herself?


    Jonathan, who had been listening quietly, chimed in, "Raven Williams, technically speaking, Aurora should receive the same as your second and third brothers- just ten percent of the shares. But now that you''ve returned, the world will inevitably specte, gossip, even dig up old scandals. All of this could hurt Aurora''s reputation. So, after discussing it with Dad, we decided to give her an extra five percent aspensation."


    Hurt Aurora''s reputation?


    Was it her return that cast a shadow over Aurora''s future?


    Did that mean she shouldn''t havee home at all?


    Skyler, noticing Ste''s silence, added, "Raven, I treat all of you the same. Don''t worry, you''ll have a share in the Williams Group too. Three years from now, once you''ve settled fully into the family, I''ll grant you the same ten percent as your two brothers."


    Israel and Coleman each had ten percent as well. Jonathan, as the eldest and the future heir, was given fifteen percent-no one questioned the extra five; the burden of leadership justified it.


    And now, Aurora was to receive the same favor.


    In that moment, Ste finally understood why her three brothers hadn''t exactly weed her back into the family. Her return meant their own shares would be diluted.


    Aurora''s share, at least, made sense-they''d grown up together. Ste, meanwhile, was the unexpected sister who''d shown up out of nowhere.


    But really, none of this had anything to do with Ste. Skyler could distribute the shares however he pleased. She didn''t care. Their so-called "discussion" wasn''t about seeking her opinion-it was simply an announcement.


    And as for that promise of shares three years from now? Well, that was a bridge to crosster.


    Ste wasn''t the type to daydream over empty promises. After all, anything that truly belonged to her would never need someone else''s permission.


    Once she agreed to the arrangement, the next morning the family held a meeting to announce it.


    Israel and Coleman were pleased with Ste''s sense of propriety-Coleman even managed a rare smile and started greeting her around the house.


    The longer Ste spent in the Williams household, the more she noticed just how strict Skyler was with Aurora. He would personally check Aurora''s coursework, and if anything fell short, he''d invite top tutors to help her improve


    With Ste, though, Skyler''s standards were far more rxed.


    Aurora''s college application had nearly torn the family apart, while Ste was free to choose any university she liked, as long as it made her happy.


    Such a progressive, doting father-at least, that was what Ste used to believe.


    She''d forgotten, though: a daughter who had just returned home and one who''d been part of the family for nearly twenty years could never truly be treated the


    same.