Deanna didn''t even finish her sentence before Haynes cut her off, his voice cold and sharp.


    "Mom, what are you talking about?"


    Deanna huffed impatiently. "Am I wrong? Since the divorce, has that woman ever oncee to see Keen?"


    Haynes'' handsome features hardened. "No matter what happens, Ste will always be Keen''s mother. That''s never going to change."


    Deanna opened her mouth to argue, but Callie stepped in just in time.


    "Mom, let''s not get into this now. Mr. Burton''s birthday dinner is more important."


    With a disgruntled snort, Deanna fell silent.


    A discreet ck sedan sped along the road.


    Inside, the Williams family sat together-Jonathan, Skyler, and Aurora.


    Jonathan broke the silence. "There''s an emergency at thepany. Coleman and Israel can''t make it right now-they''ll wait at the Williams house for Raven to return."


    Skyler had already heard about the trouble at theirpanies. He nodded, then turned to Aurora, genuine concern softening his gaze.


    "Aurora, are you alright?"


    She looked exhausted, the fatigue evident in her delicate features. She shook her head gently. "I''m fine."


    Skyler said, "Since you have thepetitioning up, just focus on that. Mr. Burton''s party can be handled by me and your brother."


    Aurora smiled. "Coming to Neo-Vespera this time, my main goal is to pick up Raven. There were some misunderstandings between us years ago-if I don''t clear things up, I''m afraid she''ll still hold a grudge.


    Besides, I heard Mr. Walden will be at the party as well. He''s a renowned violinist, and I''d like to meet him."


    Skyler nodded, clearly pleased with her thoughtfulness.


    He himself was nning to see Ste after Mr. Burton''s birthday dinner. Ste''s current situation was still delicate; it wasn''t the right time to make any public announcements.


    With that thought, Skyler turned to Aurora. "Aurora, what do you really think of Sherman these days?"


    Aurora already knew Skyler''s intentions, having heard them from Jonathan. She smiled, her answer calm and sure. "I see Sherman as an older brother, nothing more."


    Skyler was satisfied with her


    maturity. "Aurora, Raven has had a tough time out there these past few years. She''s not like you-she didn''t grow up pampered and sheltered. You''re a year older, so you''re the big sister. If you two ever sh, I hope you can give her some leeway."


    He paused, his tone turning earnest. "Aurora, you''re different from Raven. Your father was much stricter with you from a young age. I hope you understand he meant well."


    All these years, Skyler had demanded so much from Aurora-sometimes, even her intelligence barely carried her through.


    When her father first refused to let her study business, Aurora couldn''t understand. She thought perhaps he favored sons over daughters, or worse, that he resented her because of her origins.


    It wasn''t until a conversation with Jonathan that she finally understood: her father never looked down on her for being a woman, nor did he distrust her for being born out of wedlock.


    In fact, Skyler''s strictness came from the high hopes he ced on her.


    But with Ste, he had no


    expectations he let her live


    however she pleased. In truth, he believed Ste could never truly catchup, that she simply wasn''t capable enough. That''s why, when it came time to hand over shares, he''d rather leave them to Keen than to Ste. It was a quiet resignation-a giving up on Ste''s abilities.