"You really are hopelessly na?ve."


    "Do you have any idea how much the Williams family would have to pay in penalties if they pulled out of the contract before it''s fulfilled?"


    "Let me put it this way-whether I break your hand today, or even kill you, this partnership isn''t going anywhere."


    "And you think you''re smart enough to work at the Williams Group with that level of intelligence?"


    He set down his teacup and smiled, utterly at ease.


    "Maybe go back and study for a few more years before you try again."


    There wasn''t a trace of anger on Ste''s face.


    She replied coolly, "So this whole agreement-was Mr. Lerman just toying with me?"


    "That''s right."


    Now that the pretense had fallen away, Leonard dropped the mask and admitted it outright. "I was ying games with you. Who would''ve thought Ms. Cameron would actually take it seriously?"


    Heughed softly. "If you''re upset, Ms. Cameron, you''re wee to sue me. I''d honestly like to see which court would bother to hear such a petty wager."


    Leonard looked entirely shameless, his attitude making it clear: I broke my word- what are you going to do about it?


    Ste didn''t lose herposure. Instead, she turned to look at Skyler, Jonathan, and the others.


    "Is that how all of you see it too?"


    Skyler spoke up. “Star, Dad will take care of this for you. Even if it costs us billions, he''ll never let the person who hurt you walk away unpunished!”


    Joshua added, "Mr. Williams, talk is cheap. Shouldn''t you be doing something about this? Leonard had the gall to cause trouble on your own turf-doesn''t he deserve a taste of his own medicine?"


    "In fact, since he destroyed Star''s hand, let''s keep things fair-why not ruin his hand too? At least that way Star gets a little payback."


    Leonard gave a dismissive snort, rxed as if he were sitting in his own living room. He clearly wasn''t worried in the slightest.


    Skyler nodded in agreement. "Joshua''s right. This man came into our house and acted like a menace. We can''t let him get away with it!"


    He looked genuinely furious. "Someone, seize Leonard-now!"


    "Dad!"


    "Father!"


    Aurora and Jonathan''s voices rang out at the same time, joined by their two brothers.


    Jonathan said gravely, "Dad, don''t act rashly. If Leonard''smitted a crime, let thew deal with him. We can''t take justice into our own hands."


    Israel chimed in, "He''s right, Father. It''s not our ce to hand out punishment. Why not hand over the evidence to the police and let them handle it?"


    Aurora frowned and turned to Leonard. "Leonard, you really did cross a line here. At the very least, you owe Star an apology."


    Simone sat quietly at Leonard''s side,


    Yn


    for once saying nothing to defend her brother. Inwardly, she thought “Joshua really is clever—turning Ste and the Williams family against each other, waiting for them to tear each other apart until there''s nothing left."


    Leonard usually listened to Aurora, but this time he spoke in a measured tone. "Aurora, this has nothing to do with you. You don''t need to get involved."


    With a single sentence, he made sure Aurora was entirely removed from the mess.


    Leonard might be provoking Ste, but he was no fool. He knew anyone who got dragged into this would end up covered in filth. Keeping Aurora uninvolved was for the best.


    Joshua, however, had no such qualms. He dragged Aurora right back in. "Now, Mr. Lerman, that''s hardly fair. Ms. Williams herself said, and I quote: ''If Star cane up with the evidence, then it''s her call how we handle it."


    "What''s the matter? Should I just y the recording for everyone?"


    Without waiting for a response, he took out the recording he''d prepared in advance and hit y. Instantly, Aurora''s voice echoed clearly through the speakers in the media room.