A shadow of worry creased Sherman''s brow.


    "Uncle, Leonard''s a mad dog. If we bring him into this, there''s no telling what chaos he might unleash."


    Leonard had wed his way up from the margins-a bastard son, barely acknowledged to the ruthless head of the Lerman family. Even Sherman, no stranger to hard men, felt uneasy when he heard stories of Leonard''s methods.


    Sellers spoke with his usual calm. "Whoever targeted Aurora this time knew exactly what they were doing. Not only can''t we contain the news, it''s spreading faster than ever. Neither our family nor the Williams can handle this on our own. If things keep going like this, Aurora''s finished. We might as well join forces with Leonard and help her weather the storm."


    Sherman hesitated. "But Leonard is too cruel..."


    Sherman had a bit of cunning, but hecked Sellers'' ruthless edge.


    As far as he was concerned, Ste''s status as an illegitimate childing out and Ste choosing to fight back was only natural. He, Karl, and Uncle Sellers had all suffered at Ste''s hands before. He knew this woman never forgave a slight and would always strike back.


    Even though he sided with Aurora, the dirtyundry between Aurora and Ste was their own sibling rivalry. But involving Leonard—the bloodhound-would push things to a whole new level.


    Just then, a doctor in a white coat came sprinting toward them.


    "Mr. Burton! Bad news! Someone leaked Ms. Williams'' hospitalization. The hospital is swarming with reporters outside-security can''t hold them back! There are so many people, and now the crowd''s pushing into the building!"


    The police had been called, but they wouldn''t get here fast enough. The mob was already surging in, and there was no way to stop them.


    Sellers'' eyes narrowed, but as the head of the Burton family, he kept his cool and acted quickly.


    "I''ll give you a hundred thousand-find a nurse who looks like Aurora and buy us some time. You have three minutes."


    The doctor''s eyes lit up. "I''m on it!" he shouted as he dashed off.


    Sellers turned to Sherman. "Get a car ready. We''re leaving through the back."


    Sherman nodded. "Right away."


    Thanks to Sellers'' calmmand they managed to spirit Aurora out the back without incident. The ride


    though, and somewhere along


    the way, Aurora finally stirred.


    She opened her eyes and found herself slung over Sherman''s back.


    “Sherman?” She blinked, confused. "What''s going on?" Before he could answer, something flew in their direction.


    Aurora was still groggy and didn''t react in time. With a wet smack, a raw egg exploded against her head, yolk and slime dripping down her face.


    Aurora nearly passed out again from the shock.


    "Who''s there?!" Sellers and Karl, sensing trouble, looked up.


    A furious crowd blocked the back entrance, faces twisted in rage.


    "Aurora, you shameless bastard! You stole Ste''s life for over twenty years-why don''t you just drop dead?!"


    "Aurora, I used to be your biggest fan. You lied to us all!"


    "Let''s make her pay! This is for Ste!"


    The mob erupted, pelting Aurora


    with rotten eggs, overripe tomatoe


    then


    es, anything they could get


    hands on.


    Across the street, high up in a penthouse suite, Foreman lowered his binocrs,


    a satisfied smile curling on his lips.


    Anyone who dared hurt Star would pay the price.