He wasn''t that shameless-at least, not yet.


    Still, once Ste officially joined thepany, she''d have those old board members backing her.


    Who knew what could happen then...


    Ste''s voice cut through his thoughts.


    "No need. Now that I''m back with the Williams family, I''m part of it. I can handle the risk."


    Jonathan hadn''t expected Ste to be so ungrateful.


    "Ste, I''m only doing this for your own good. And it''s not like we''d take your shares for nothing.


    As long as it''s a fair exchange, there''s no difference between founding shares and regr ones."


    Ste smiled. “If there''s really no difference, why insist on changing them?


    If you don''t like holding the founding shares, I''d be happy to buy them from you."


    Jonathan let out a disbelievingugh.


    "You want to buy my shares? You?"


    Ste didn''t bristle at his condescension. Her tone remained calm and measured. "Don''t worry, Jonathan. Even between siblings, money should be clear. I''d never owe you a cent. Cash for shares, nice and simple."


    Jonathan had been ready to retort, but then it struck him if he actually wanted to sell, Ste might just be able to afford it.


    She had Neville, Mr. Burton, and soon Antoney from the Watson family in her


    corner.


    Not to mention Haynes, who clearly felt guilty about how things had gone before...


    Her connections were nothing to scoff at anymore.


    Jonathan was suddenly struck by the realization: the woman in front of him was no longer the timid, cautious girl who''d arrived at the Williams house years ago with no one to rely on.


    At that moment, Skyler stepped in with a genial smile, trying to ease the tension.


    "All right, all right, we can discuss thister. What matters is that Star is willing toe home to the Williams family."


    He seemed utterly unconcerned about the shares Ste held, caring only that his daughter was finallying back.


    Jonathan understood Skyler''s meaning perfectly.


    Once Ste was back with the Williams family, those founding shares became a private family matter.


    Behind closed doors, not even Mr. Burton or the others could interfere.


    A woman like Ste, with no real


    experience, holding such valuable et


    founding shares-it was like a child clutching a mountain of gold.


    She''d never be able to hold onto it.


    Once people started plotting against her, she''d realize that those


    were nothing but a burning bose


    potato in her hands.


    With that thought, Jonathan''s expression softened.


    "I understand."


    Ste said, “So, are you and Father willing to cooperate with my change of status?"


    Skyler replied, "I''ll have my assistant handle it in a few minutes."


    Ste nodded. “I need to get back to practicing piano. If there''s nothing else, I''ll be heading out."


    Skyler''s tone was warm as always. "Come by and visit whenever you can."


    On her way downstairs, Ste


    spotted Joshua and Simone sitting across from each other, each with a cup of tea in hand, chatting away as if they were old friends.


    The sight took her by surprise.


    Simone, Aurora''s close friend, was as proud and sharp-tongued as Aurora herself.


    And yet, she seemed to be getting along with Joshua just fine?


    Ste gave Joshua a thoughtful nce.


    "Joshua, it''s time to go."


    Joshua stood, his manner noticeably softer than the reserved politeness he''d shown before.


    "Miss Lerman, until next time."


    Simone smiled as she said goodbye.


    Once they''d left the Williams house, Ste noticed that Joshua seemed to be in


    an unusually good mood.


    There was a rare, easy lift to his lips, and his dark eyes sparkled.


    Ste couldn''t help but ask, "Did something good happen?"


    For a moment, his eyes turned deep and inscrutable.


    "Yeah. I just discovered... something rather interesting."