He handed Ste a folder. “This contract is a personal gift from me to you. The moment you sign it, it takes effect."


    Almost on instinct, Ste reached out and took it from him.


    She opened the folder and looked over the contract''s terms.


    Even though she wasn''t well-versed in business documents, it was obvious-this was nothing short of a golden ticket.


    The Burton Group was growing at an astonishing pace, branching out into all sorts of industries and ventures. Still, its core business remained in healthcare.


    Hospitals, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, biotech research-these were just some of the areas under its vast umbre.


    As the saying goes, no treasure or luxury canpare to the value of a human life.


    With The Burton Group controlling nearly sixty percent of the world''s medical resources, its sheer scale was staggering.


    The Burton family wasrge, with no shortage of talented descendants. Thanks to Mr. Burton''s influence, most had followed his footsteps into the world of medical research.


    That, more than anything, was the reason for the family''s enduring power.


    After the passing of thete Mrs. Burton, Mr. Burton stepped down from his


    position at The Burton Group, relinquishing control. But even so, he still held sway over some of the most crucial resources within thepany.


    Resources even someone like Sellers would envy.


    And now, Mr. Burton was cing those resources directly into Ste''s hands.


    This was worth more than any sum of money.


    Ste finished reading and quickly tried to slide the contract back to him.


    "Mr. Burton, you''ve already done so much for me. This is far too valuable-I can''t ept it."


    Mr. Burton didn''t reach for the


    contract. Instead, he said, "You''re my student. Why shouldn''t you ept it? If you don''t, all of this will eventually end up with Sellers


    iel


    anyway, and he''ll probably pass it on to that Williams girl. Either way, it''s a gift. If I have a choice, I''d rather give it to you."


    He waved off her protest. “Enough of that. I know thepany''s old guard far too well-they only care about profit."


    He looked her in the eye. "Ste, if


    herin


    you want to make your mark at The Williams Group, you''ll need to prove yourself first. You''re an outsider there how else will you earn their respect? Do you really think you can slowly change everyone''s mind just by working harder than the rest?"


    Mr. Burton had built The Burton Group from the ground up. He knew every twist


    and turn in the business world, every subtle dance of power and politics.


    He went on, "Let''s not even talk


    Vol.n


    about how long it would take you to truly establish yourself. The Williams Group is aplicated ce. Peopleare going to try to trip you up, set traps, squeeze you out-that''s just business. There''s no such thing as true fairness, not in this world. And it''s not just you; if those three Williams siblings had joined thepanyte, they''d face the same thing. The only reason they''re


    thriving is because Skyler''s got their back."


    Mr. Burton regarded Ste with a warm, paternal smile.


    "Ste, you''ve made your decision to join thepany. That means you''ll need a powerful supporter, too. As your mentor, I might not be able to give you as much as Skyler can, but I can at least offer you this."


    Ste felt her eyes sting. She no longer tried to refuse. Instead, she epted the contract from Mr. Burton with both hands, her expression solemn.


    "Thank you, Mr. Burton."


    He smiled, clearly pleased.


    Just then, the hospital room door crashed open.


    Karl stormed in, his expression dark and stormy.


    "Grandfather! Sellers has been missing for a month, and I know it''s because of


    her! She''s the one who kidnapped Sellers!"