Ste''s pupils narrowed. "Leonard?"


    Leonard smiled faintly. "It''s really not easy to get a meeting with you, Ms.


    Cameron. Took me quite a bit of effort."


    Ste nced around, taking in her surroundings.


    It wasn''t some dim warehouse or basement, but rather what looked like a private vi-clean, bright, not a speck of dust in sight.


    Several bodyguards in ck stood stationed around the room.


    Ste''s gazended on Abby, who was lying unconscious on the floor not far away.


    Ste managed to stay calm and looked directly at Leonard.


    "So, Mr. Lerman, what exactly do you want with me? What''s so important that you had to bring me all the way here?"


    Leonard''s tone was cool. "You really are a good actress, Ms. Cameron. ying innocent suits you."


    Ste didn''t bother ying along. "You can question me a hundred times, Mr. Lerman. My answer won''t change.


    I had nothing to do with what happened to Aurora."


    Leonard lounged back against the sofa, crossing one leg over the other with casual elegance. "Of course. Someone as clever as you would never get her own hands dirty wouldn''t want to leave any evidence behind, would you?"


    His smile twisted strangely. "Naturally, you''d have someone else do your dirty work for you. Makes your own reputation look all the more spotless and pristine."


    Ste knew she was in no position to challenge Leonard head-on. Right now, she was helplesspletely at his mercy.


    "Mr. Lerman, I''ve exined this countless times. Leaking the news that Aurora was an illegitimate child did me absolutely no good."


    Leonard''s lips curled, amusement flickering in his eyes. "No benefit, sure if we''re talking business. But what about emotionally?"


    His cold gaze fixed on her, venomous and unblinking, like a snake ready to strike.


    "You were jealous of Aurora''s privileged life, weren''t you? You wanted to destroy her. You were afraid Aurora would outy you at the violinpetition, so you leaked the news right before it started, hoping to keep her from performing.


    Ste, is that what you wanted? To ruin Aurora?"


    me always finds its own excuse.


    Ste knew Leonard had brought her here for a reason, and whatever it was, he wasn''t about to let her off easily.


    But she wasn''t about to confess to something she hadn''t done.


    All she needed was time-enough for Foreman to realize she was missing, enough for help toe.


    She said, "Mr. Lerman, there''s no bad blood between me and Aurora. And as for being afraid she''d beat me? That''s just ridiculous.


    I know you may not want to hear this, but the truth is, she''s talented-just not as talented as I am."


    She''d seen Aurora perform before.


    Sure, Aurora was better than Rachel, but beating her? Ste had never even considered Aurora a rival.


    Leonard''s expression didn''t flicker.


    No matter what the truth was, Aurora would always be the best in his eyes.


    He''d always find some excuse for her.


    He suddenly let out a short, coldugh, eyes glinting with some hidden meaning.


    "Oh? Are you going to brag about your


    fame and glory you earned with


    Countless awards, about the et


    that


    legendary violin-Nocturn


    As he spoke, he pped his hands.


    A bodyguard stepped forward, presenting a violin.


    The moment Ste saw the instrument, her breath caught in her throat.


    Nocturne Ste.


    Her mother''s violin. The one she''d left behind for Ste.


    She whipped her head toward Leonard, her face paling.


    Leonard''s smile only deepened, clearly relishing her reaction.


    Ste-Nora''s violin, isn''t


    it? Nora Skyler''s first wife. She the


    who single-handedly!


    the Williams Group afloat.


    She did whatever it took to make Skyler cast aside his second wife And then, after forcing the woman


    out, she orchestrated an ''ident''-drove her to her death.


    In the end, she didn''t even spare a newborn. She tried to kill Aurora, who was still


    just an infant."