Antoney shook his head. "What her mother did has nothing to do with her. I could never hold that against her.
It''s just... I''ve gotten used to the life I have now. I don''t want to change it so easily.
And honestly, I have more than enough money. I don''t want to go back to a life full of rules and restrictions.
Besides..."
He looked over at Ste. "If I go back, ying the violin will just be a hobby. I''d be letting Father Benedict down after all the time he invested in me.
And let''s not forget-Haynes and Jasper are closing in on you, making things harder by the day.
I... I can''t help but worry about you..."
Ste had already guessed what was weighing on his mind. "Antoney, you know my mother didn''t mentor you just because you were talented. She wanted you to have a skill, to make a better life for yourself.
She never wanted to use her help to tie you down. She just wanted you to be happy, that''s all."
Nora had supported Antoney for so many years, she treated him as if he was her
own son.
Antoney understood. "But if I return to the Watsons, it won''t be easy for us to see each other anymore.
And with Haynes and the others watching you like hawks, I''m not sure you can handle them all on your own."
Ste''s answer swept away all his doubts in a single sentence.
"Antoney, if you go back to the Watsons, won''t it be even easier for you to deal with Haynes and Jasper for me?"
Antoney''s eyes flickered.
Those years when Ste had barely kept in touch, she was either being bullied by the Williams family or pushed around by the O''Briens.
He worried that if he left, no one would have her back, no one would look out for her.
But how could he forget? If he gained real power, he could help her in ways he never could before.
He was silent for a moment, and when he finally spoke, his voice was unexpectedly rough.
"Star, I know you don''t see me that way-if you did, you would have already agreed to let the Watsons adopt you.
If you became their adopted daughter, Haynes and the rest wouldn''t darey a finger on you."
With shares in the Watson Group, Ste would never have to worry about money again.
Ste shook her head gently.
"Antoney, can''t ept something I
haven''t earned. If I took those
shares, I''d feel indebted, and I''d
never be able to say no if the
Watsons asked anything of me.
Besides, I can''t agree to the adoption. You know my history with the Williams family.
If I epted, it''d be a p in their face.
They might even retaliate against the Watsons.
Everything with Aurora is still a powder keg-the Williams family knows they aren''t
in the right, so they haven''t dared to act openly.
But if I let myself be adopted, if word got out, they''d twist the truth and call me
ungrateful, use me of betraying my own family just for money."
Antoney''s expression shifted.
He hadn''t thought of that.
In Novaris filial piety was everything. If Ste turned her back on her biological parents for the sake of adoption and money, the public would tear her apart.
And if someone deliberately stirred the pot, spreading rumors and twisting facts...
Most people wouldn''t care about the truth-they''d just follow the crowd, judging Ste without knowing her reasons.
Antoney nodded slowly. "I understand. I''ll talk to my father myself."
He needed some time alone to sort out his thoughts.
Ste left the garden on her own.
Running into the Williams family had been a surprise she wasn''t prepared for. And finding out Sherman was Mr. Burton''s grandson was just another headache. fo
Lost in thought, she didn''t even notice the maning toward her. She bumped right into him.
Snapping back to reality, Ste apologized. "I''m so sorry."
"No worries," the man replied, his voice clear and smooth as a mountain stream.
She looked up, and for a moment, she was caught off guard.
His features were striking-chiselled and refined, with dark brows like brushstrokes, eyes bright as stars, and a faint, gentle smile ying on his lips.