Everyone present had heard rumors about the Lerman family''s way of doing things.


    Simone was known for her ruthlessness, but she lived by a code: don''t cross me, and I won''t cross you. Fiercely loyal to those she cared about, she valued friendship above all.


    She and Aurora had be best friends after Aurora once stepped in to defend her. Simone never forgot that act of kindness.


    Whenever Aurora ran into trouble, Simone would handle it if she could. If she couldn''t, she''d turn to her older brother, Leonard, for help.


    Leonard and Simone had relied on each other since childhood. Leonard adored his little sister and always looked out for her.


    Leonard''s infatuation with Aurora owed much to Simone. In a way, Simone was Aurora''s sharp de-swift, decisive, cutting through obstacles-something everyone in the room understood without needing to say it.


    Simone knew this, too. But she didn''t mind. People always have something to gain from each other; that''s just how rtionships work.


    She was Aurora''s de, and Aurora was her brain.


    Thanks to Aurora''s guidance, Simone had quickly found her footing within the Lerman family. She was no longer the pitiful girl hiding in Leonard''s shadow, surviving at the mercy of others.


    Leonard had his own affairs to manage; he couldn''t watch over her every second. There were times when he slipped up. The Lerman family was ruthless, a nest of vipers, and Simone had nearly lost everything to their schemes before.


    But after meeting Aurora, those days were over. Now, Simone had carved out a ce for herself within the family.


    Feelings alone were too fragile to hold people together. Real bonds were built on the value you brought to each other.


    Until Joshua came along, that was how Simone saw the world.


    She wasn''t as clever as Aurora, but she wasn''t stupid either. Aurora would never befriend someone who was hopelessly ipetent.


    Simone knew exactly how to y her part when Aurora needed her.


    Although she believed it was best to let Ste take the fall for what had happened, Aurora was still hesitating-caught up in the bonds of blood.


    Hearing Aurora and Simone''s words, Skyler and Jonathan visibly rxed. They didn''t want to see siblings turn against each other.


    Sellers, however, wasn''t convinced. He thought Simone was just helping Aurora cover her tracks.


    Soon, Aurora was wheeled into the hospital room, and Sellers had already begun assembling a team of doctors to look after her.


    Once inside, Skyler turned to


    Simone, Joshua, and Sellers. "Our


    family


    Heeds a moment alone,


    discuss some things. Would you mind waiting outside?"


    Simone, Joshua, and Sellers took the hint and quietly left.


    When the door closed behind them, Skyler said, "Star, everything is ready for you toe home. Your


    brothers and I have made all the


    arrangements. I''d like to throw a grand party to announce your return to the family-make your identity official. When do you think you''ll have time?"


    Ste looked at Skyler in surprise.


    He''d once been so worried about his reputation and Aurora''s as the city''s top socialite that he''d even considered telling the world Ste was adopted. Even then, he insisted she fearn all the proper manners, nning to reveal her identity only after a few years.


    But now, he didn''t mention adoption at all. He was bringing her back as his real daughter.


    That caught Ste off guard. It didn''t quite fit the Williams family''s usual way of doing things. Was there some hidden trap waiting for her?


    She didn''t believe Skyler had suddenly seen the light. Just moments ago, they''d all been suspicious of her.


    After thinking for a moment, Ste replied, "The internationalpetition is about to start. Let''s wait until it''s over."


    "No problem," Skyler said warmly. "By the way, Star, congrattions on your sessful concert."