Neville''s voice was calm, but his words carried a subtle edge. "But you have to remember, Haynes''s protection can only go so far. If you evere into conflict with Rachel, who''s to say he won''t abandon you and take her side?"


    He had to admit he was deliberately sowing seeds of doubt. Neville had seen right through Haynes''s intentions, the man clearly wanted to get back together with Ste. And Neville would make sure that never happened.


    Marvin was still waiting for some good news from him, after all.


    But more than that...


    Neville cast a sidelong nce at Ste, his dark eyes deep and unreadable. He would never let anyone else have her.


    Ste nodded thoughtfully at his words. She agreedpletely. "You''re right. I can''t just count on Haynes''s goodwill. Especially when ites to Rachel-his so-called conscience always seems to disappear."


    Neville looked away, as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he kept silent.


    Ste caught it and smiled. "Mr. Connolly, if there''s something you want to say, just say it. I promise I won''t be upset."


    It was rare to see Neville hesitate like this.


    He finally spoke. "Star, if you return to the Williams family, both Sellers and Leonard will have to think twice before making any moves against you. They''re both vying for Aurora''s hand in marriage. If you''re officially recognized as the Williams family''s daughter, there''s no way Skyler would ever let them marry Aurora if they dared to cross you."


    He paused, letting his words sink in. "Everything that happened today-it all started because of Aurora. If it weren''t for her, Sellers wouldn''t havee after you, and you wouldn''t have fallen out with Leonard. I just want you to consider this seriously."


    Ste didn''t flinch or protest. She knew Neville was genuinely looking out for her. Her eyes flickered with contemtion. "I will. I promise I''ll think it over carefully."


    ...


    The Williams family''s seaside vi was shrouded in quiet when Jonathan and Aurora came homete that night.


    As they passed Skyler''s study, Jonathan noticed the lights were still on. He paused, then knocked gently.


    "Come in," came Skyler''s voice from inside.


    Jonathan pushed open the door. "Still up, Dad?"


    Skyler nodded, rubbing his temples. "Just dealing with some business matters."


    Jonathan''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Is it about the original shares?"


    Skyler sighed. "They''ve always been a thorn in my side."


    A cold glint shed in his eyes. "Those old board members who still hold the original shares-they''re getting bolder every year. It''s bad enough they interfere withpany affairs, but now they want a say in our family business too. Hmph. Sometimes I wonder if they''re just waiting for the Williams Group to change hands."


    Jonathan, now gradually taking over thepany, understood exactly what his


    father meant. "Is this still an issue leftover from when Mom ran things?"


    Skyler snorted. "I''ve managed to buy back almost all the original shares, but there''s still twenty percent out there. Ten percent are clutched in the hands of those stubborn old men, and no matter what terms I offer, they won''t budge."


    Jonathan frowned, thinking aloud. "Thatst ten percent-the lock-in should expire at the end of the year, right?"


    He hesitated, brow furrowing. "I still don''t know what Mom was thinking, locking up those shares for thirty years."


    Skyler shook his head. "Don''t me your mother. Thirty years ago, after my ident and the memory loss she was left to run the whole


    precautions, those wolves circling her would have torn everything apart."