Ste analyzed the situation, her tone calm yet thoughtful. "Aurora grew up as the golden girl in the Williams family, the perfect debutante. I, on the other hand, was only brought back into the familyter. No one in their right mind would suspect Aurora is the illegitimate child-they''d assume I was the one with that kind of background."
She gave a wry smile. "And yet, those three girls didn''t just use me of being the daughter of a mistress, they imed I deliberately leaked rumors just to get back into the Williams family."
"If the Williams family really wanted to spread those rumors, they wouldn''t need to go to such lengths to target me," Ste continued. "After all, I''m supposed to return to the family soon, and Skyler is still putting on the act of a loving father- he has no intention of burning bridges with me. Not to mention, I still hold some original shares, even if they''re currently locked up. If they wanted the public to specte, all they''d have to do is act a little distant, let people wonder. Why go so far as to air dirtyundry? It only hurts them too."
Abby caught on quickly. "So if it wasn''t someone from the Williams family, then who? Aurora herself? The Burtons?"
Ste shook her head. "Aurora and the Burtons don''t make sense either. Aurora doesn''t have to lift a finger-the Williams family will do everything in their power to erase the stain of illegitimacy for her. Why get her hands dirty, when she''s got others to do her bidding? As for the Burtons, Sellers and Sherman only ever follow Aurora''s lead. If she hasn''t given the order, they wouldn''t move on their own."
She paused, her brows knitting in thought. "Besides, after everything I''ve been through with Sellers and Karl, the Burtons never leaked anything before. Why would they suddenly do it now?"
Abby''s eyes lit up as an idea struck her. "Star, do you think it''s because Aurora got hurt this time? Maybe the Burtons wanted revenge for her."
Ste''s answer was firm. "I''ve already handed Rachel''s evidence over to the Williams family. Sellers and the others probably know everything by now. Aurora isn''t the type to mislead them with something so easily exposed. She''s not reckless like Rachel."
Abby let out a frustrated sigh. "Then who is it? Who else has it out for us? Who have we overlooked?"
Ste gazed into the distance, her voice quiet but steady. "Don''t worry. Whoever''s behind this will slip up sooner orter."
Abby frowned. "So, we just do nothing?"
"Right now, we''re out in the open, and they''re hiding in the shadows," Ste replied. "We don''t even have a suspect to confront. For all we know, Sellers and the others are just waiting for us to tear each other apart. For now, let''s just wait and see what their real goal is."
At that moment, footsteps echoed behind them, and Ste immediately fell silent. Foreman hurried over, concern etched on his face. "Star, are you okay?"
Ste offered him a grateful smile. "I''m fine, Foreman. Thanks for stepping in earlier."
She had no interest in tangling with those girls not out of fear, but because she didn''t want to give anyone ammunition against her. She could feel the weight of too many watching eyes at her back.
Foreman''s eyes darkened. "Don''t let what they said get to you, Star."
She nodded, her voice steady. "I won''t."
Foreman looked like he wanted to say more, but in the end, he just smiled and let
it go.
This was Novaris, and Haynes was
still letting Ste take the brunt of all
He
t protect Star at all
A sh of cold determination passed through Foreman''s eyes. If Haynes wouldn''t protect her, then he would.
He would never let Star suffer even a sliver of harm or humiliation.
After escorting Ste safely back to the hotel, Foreman stepped aside and made
a call.
"Spread the word-let everyone
know about Aurora''s real parentage. And send out all the evidence I''ve gathered over the years-make it clear that it was Aurora''s mother who was the mistress."