Jonathan''s heart ached so badly it felt as if it were bleeding.


    He''d always cherished talented people, and he''d watched Aurora grow up from a child. He knew exactly how gifted she was.


    Even though Aurora wasn''t his biological sister, she had always been considerate and sensible. She never asked for more than what was hers- in fact, she often gave her own things to others.


    She was brilliant, hardworking, and ambitious-a prodigy from the very beginning.


    Yet despite her intelligence, despite being the eldest daughter of the Williams family, Aurora had never enjoyed a day of luxury.


    Jonathan had never been one to favor sons over daughters. As the next in line to inherit thepany, he valued ability above all else.


    Watching Aurora, with all her remarkable gifts, choose to study music instead of business felt like such a waste.


    He had always wondered why Skyler had insisted so stubbornly that Aurora pursue music.


    Thinking of this, Jonathan asked, "So those old codgers threatened to withhold their shares unless Aurora stayed out of Williams Group, is that right?"


    Skyler nodded. "I managed to buy back ten percent of the original shares from them, but that was the condition they set for the sale. And as for the remaining ten percent, they absolutely refuse to let go."


    Williams Group was at its peak these days, its market value higher than ever. Thatst ten percent of original shares was no small sum.


    Skyler had offered them several times above market price, but they still wouldn''t sell.


    Their only demand: Aurora must never work for Williams Group.


    After more than thirty years, Williams Group was no longer short on capital, and Skyler himself had nock of money. That''s why he wanted to buy back the original shares he''d once sold to the major shareholders.


    Original shares weren''t just ordinary stock-they came with voting rights, a say in thepany''s decisions.


    Over the years, those so-called


    founding members had always


    resented how he''d handled matters


    between Aurora''s mother and Nora''s


    mother They opposed him on numerous decisions.


    When they learned Nora still had a daughter, they were overjoyed, immediately pressing him to bring Ste into Williams Group and groom her for a leadership role They even wanted him to go public with Ste''s true identity.


    Skyler was furious.


    If Ste''s identity were revealed, Williams Group would be swept up in scandal,


    giving thepetition plenty of ammunition.


    Did these old men care nothing for thepany''s reputation?


    And besides, if Ste-Nora''s own daughter-deserved a ce, then didn''t


    Jonathan and his brothers, also Nora''s children, deserve the same?


    They were all Nora''s flesh and blood. Why the double standard?


    Day to day at thepany, those elders never even bothered to show Jonathan and his brothers a hint of respect.


    Jonathan seemed to be thinking along the same lines. His face clouded with anger.


    After a long moment, he said, "We can give Ste some shares, but not original stock, and she can''t work at Williams Group. If she joins thepany, those old men will push her straight into a senior position."


    He paused, his tone cold. "Ste''s never studied business management. She''s


    not qualified. Who knows, with people stirring things up, she might even turn against us.


    She already resents the Williams family. Once she gets a taste of power, she''ll never let go.


    If those old men hold ten percent of the original shares, and Mother''s left another ten percent for Ste, she''ll be able to challenge us for control."


    Skyler''s gaze turned thoughtful for a few seconds. "Even if she never sets foot in thepany, your mother''s shares belong to her now. That''s a fact no one can change."


    Skyler had known all along that the shares had been locked away.