"But now that she''s part of the Williams family-our sister-we have to protect Ste, no matter what."


    Joshua fixed his gaze on Israel, his toneyered with meaning.


    "So, Mr. Israel, what do you propose?"


    Israel replied, "If Ste is making false usations, it speaks volumes about her character. Someone like that isn''t fit to work at the Williams Group."


    Joshua''s voice was cool. "So?"


    Israel''s tone was heavy. "Ste should hand over her founding shares."


    Hearing this, Ste didn''t even flinch. Herposure was almost unsettling, as if nothing could rattle her.


    Joshua turned to him. "Are you saying Star should just hand them over for nothing, or do you n to buy them?"


    Coleman let out a coldugh. "After all the trouble Ste has caused us, after we''ve cleaned up her messes, shouldn''t she pay up in some way?"


    Joshua arched an eyebrow. "So you want to take advantage of her? p a crime on Star and walk away with her shares for free-is that it?"


    Joshua''s words were blunt, and the faces of the Williams family members flushed with embarrassment and indignation.


    Jonathan, always moreposed than Coleman or Israel, looked ufortable himself. He cut in, "Coleman, Israel, enough nonsense! Even if Star agreed to give up her shares, we''d still have to buy them. There''s no way we''d just take them for nothing."


    Israel and Coleman fell silent.


    After a moment, Israel muttered, "We were just joking with Star, that''s all."


    But everyone in the room knew there was nothing funny about it.


    Joshua gave a slow, mocking p. "So it''s that easy to get your hands on founding shares? What a bargain."


    He leaned forward. "How about this-let''s reopen the investigation. If it turns out Star was framed by Sherman all those years ago, and you used her unjustly, then aspensation, you''ll give hecan additional ten percent stake. Sound fair?"


    Israel''s face turned beet red. "You want ten percent for something that happened ages ago? Why don''t you just rob us while you''re at it?!"


    Joshua replied, "Rx. Star isn''t looking for a handout. We''ll buy them at the highest market price. We''re not here to cheat you."


    Coleman sneered. "Buy them? Do you have any idea how much a single percent of the Williams Group is worth? And you think she has what it takes to buy us out?"


    Joshua''s eyes glinted. "How about a wager? If Star cane up with the money within the agreed time, you sell her your shares. If she can''t, her founding shares go to the Williams family. Deal?"


    Joshua was definitely pushing the boundaries with this proposal. But Ste remained calm, showing no sign of wanting to stop him.


    Israel smirked. "You''re just a bodyguard, yet you dare to spout off in front of us? Do you even know your ce? Even the heads of the major families wouldn''t dare to make such a demand."


    In truth, even the wealthiest families kept most of their capital tied up in


    investments. Any serious acquisition would require months-sometimes years-of meticulous nning and raising funds.


    Even the Burtons or the Lermans


    would struggle to buy up shares of


    the Williams Group. For someone


    like Ste, it was nearly impossible, no matter who backed her-Haynes, Neville, even Mr. Burton himself. The scale was simply too much for anyone to swallow.