"I''ll be joining The Williams Group soon, taking part in thepany''s decision- making."


    The woman''s bright eyes fixed on him. "Mr. Lerman, you''ve taught me something important: power is a woman''s best armor.


    Once I''m inside The Williams Group, I''ll make sure Aurora is thrown out.


    My mother was the one who fought for The Williams Group''s survival-anyone has the right to join, except for her.


    When that happens, all her ambition and dreams will be shattered. She''ll be left with nothing, clinging to a man''s charity like a withering vine..."


    Ste''s words were cut short by a vicious p across her face.


    Leonard red at her with open disgust. "So you''ve finally dropped the act, Ste?


    I told you before-anyone who tries to hurt Aurora, family or not, I will show no mercy."


    His strike was brutal. Ste''s vision spun and her ears rang, the force leaving her cheek swelling instantly and a thin line of blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Her hair fell messily around her face.


    Tears welled in Abby''s eyes. "Star!"


    It took Ste a long moment topose herself. When she finally managed to speak, her voice was hoarse. "Then you''d better kill me now, because otherwise I''ll make sure Aurora suffers."


    A chilling, murderous glint flickered in Leonard''s eyes.


    "Don''t think for a second that I won''t."


    He took a step toward her, only to be held back by Sellers.


    Sellers murmured quietly, "Leonard, she''s probably trying to provoke you."


    Even in a rage, Leonard knew he couldn''t actually kill Ste. Her death would open up a mess of trouble—and, more importantly, Aurora would never forgive him.


    Not long ago, Aurora had insisted Ste had nothing to do with the incident, begging Leonard not to suspect her.


    Leonard thought Aurora was far too na?ve. Sometimes, what you see with your eyes is nothing but an illusion.


    Aurora''s blind trust in family was exactly why she''d been so badly hurt by Ste. Teaching Ste a lesson was one thing; killing her was something else entirely. Slowly, Leonard forced himself to calm down. His eyes, cold as ice, lingered on Ste as if weighing a dark decision.


    After a long silence, a sinister smile crept across his lips. He dropped a hammer onto the floor with a heavy thud.


    "Ms. Cameron," he said coldly, "these ten men are waiting for your dear friend. There are exactly ten of them, and who gets their turn is entirely random.


    But if you smash one of your own fingers right now, I''ll take one man out of the equation. So what do you say?"


    Sellers nced at Leonard, grudgingly impressed. Leonard''s way of tormenting people was truly in a league of its own.


    Making Ste break her own finger meant they could im no direct involvement.


    Sellers turned to his men. "You all, get your phones out. Record Ste breaking her finger-just in case she tries to pin the me on uster."


    At his order, the men pulled out their phones, aiming their cameras at Ste.


    In that moment, Abby forgot her fear. She cried out to Ste, "Star don''t! Your hands are meant for the


    violin if you break them, you''ll never


    y again!"


    Ste acted as if she hadn''t heard, picking up the hammer with trembling fingers.


    Abby''s eyes reddened with panic.


    She was terrified of Leonard, and the thought of those men touching her


    made her sick with dread. But if Ste destroyed her own hands to save her, she''d never forgive herself.


    Leonard''s voice drifted over, light but menacing. “Ms. Cameron, you only get one chance per finger. If you don''Obreak it, well... then everyone herè gets a free show.


    Go on, Ms. Cameron. You may begin."