"My older brother''s never done anything like this before, but... who knows? Maybe it really could be true."


    Skyler looked at Ste, troubled. "Star, do you have any proof?"


    Ste had nothing to offer.


    If she did, would Leonard still be walking free?


    While Ste hesitated, someone ced a reassuring hand on her shoulder.


    Hershes fluttered.


    Joshua turned to Skyler. "If we can provide evidence, will the Williams family call off all business with the Lerman family?"


    Joshua knew the partnership between the Williams Group and the Lermans was the biggest roadblock Ste had faced since joining thepany. As long as their alliance held, Leonard would always have a way to make her life hell.


    Power struggles rarely end with a single blow; if a family patriarch dies suddenly, chaos is sure to follow.


    Just look at the Gardners.


    Since Ste wanted to take control, brute force and intimidation wouldn''t do her any good now.


    Skyler hesitated, doubt flickering in her eyes.


    Joshua sounded so certain-did they really have evidence?


    Aurora''s brow furrowed as she nced at Leonard. Even now, she couldn''t be sure whether Leonard had actually kidnapped Ste. But with so many people watching, she couldn''t ask outright.


    Leonard''s gaze hardened, calcting. He was confident he''d left no loose ends- there was no way they had a shred of proof. Most likely, Ste and Joshua were bluffing.


    He remembered Aurora mentioning the Williams family wanted to buy out Ste''s original shares. If he could use this to force her to sell, it wouldn''t be a bad deal.


    Then the Williams Group could never block Aurora from joining the board, and he could convince Skyler to grant Aurora even more shares, giving her a real shot at power.


    His mind made up, Leonard spoke. "If you really can prove I was behind this, I''ll cancel our partnership myself. The Williams family won''t have to make a move."


    "But what if you can''t?” Leonard


    looked straight at Ste. "Ms. Cameron, you''ve already made the


    cancetion of our partnership your bargaining chip. A half-hearted


    apology won''t cut it."


    Before Ste could answer, Joshua''s grip on her shoulder tightened, steady and supportive.


    She understood-he wanted her to trust him.


    Ste offered a slight smile. "If we can''t present the evidence, I''ll agree to sell my shares. No conditions."


    That changed everything. Skyler and Jonathan''s eyes widened.


    The shares Ste held were valuable enough to catapult her onto the


    world''s richest lists if she sold them. There was no way Israel or Cofeman could pull some underhanded trick to get them for nothing.


    People would lie, cheat, and betray for shares like these.


    Israel and Coleman were too young, too naive to understand the stakes.


    If they could buy Ste''s shares, the Williams family would have


    undisputed control over every major decision in the Williams Group. No more interference from other shareholders. They could even reim any shares that had slipped through their fingers.


    Of course Skyler and Jonathan''s expressions changed.


    Leonard smiled, pleased. "Good. Then it''s settled. We can call thewyers right now and draw up the agreement."


    He sounded almost eager, as if worried Ste might back out.


    Ste''s face remained calm. "Fine by me."


    Leonard added, "Since you im to have evidence, we''ll give you three days to gather it. That should be plenty. Any longer, and people might start to think you''re fabricating something."


    This time, Joshua answered. "Three days is fair. We''ll be ready."