Jonathan looked slightly uneasy. "No, of course not. You''re family to us, Ste. We''d never think of trading you for anything."


    He hesitated, then added, "We just wanted to draw them out—and once they show themselves, we''ll rescue Aurora and Queenie."


    Ste nodded, understanding instantly. "So, you''re nning to use me as bait?” Jonathan replied, "Star, we''ll make sure you''re safe. I promise."


    Before Ste could answer, Leonard suddenly interjected, his tone cold as steel. "If Aurora hadn''t taken the fall for you, she never would''ve been kidnapped. Using you as bait is the least you owe her. You better pray nothing happens to Aurora. If she gets hurt in any way, you''ll be the first one Ie after."


    Only then did Ste turn her gaze to Leonard. Her voice dropped, icy and sharp. "And who do you think you are, barging in here and making threats? Get out. You''re not wee."


    Leonard hadn''t expected Ste to talk back to him so bluntly. For a moment, he looked genuinely stunned.


    Even now, with everything going on, Ste still had the nerve to act so defiant. Israel''s anger red. "Ste, this isn''t your yground! You''re not the head of the Williams family—what you say doesn''t count here."


    Ste''s cold stare pinned Israel in ce. "So, because you''re in charge, you think you can just let the man who kidnapped me and shattered my hand waltz back in here like nothing happened? You treat him like an old friend and expect me to y nice, is that it?"


    Her gaze swept over the Williams family, her words dripping with sarcasm. "Is that your version of unconditional love-being so forgiving to anyone who hurts your family? Or..."


    She paused, her eyes lingering on each of them. "Or is it just when ites to me that you suddenly care about justice?"


    Jonathan tried to exin. "Star, that''s not what this is about. We called Leonard because his sister''s been kidnapped too. We think the same people who took Simone and Aurora might be behind this. And Leonard has better contacts in... less savory circles. We just wanted his help finding Aurora."


    Ste let out a humorlessugh. "So, as long as someone''s useful to you, it doesn''t matter if they''re your worst enemy-you''ll invite them in, offer them a seat at your table?"


    Coleman frowned. "Ste, that''s not fair. This is different, and besides you''re standing here, aren''t you? You''re fine."


    Ste raised an eyebrow. "So, if


    Auroraes out of this unharmed, does that mean I can start inviting oil tycoons and bankers over for


    tea? They''re pirs of societ


    too,


    after all. Maybe we should partner up with them while we''re at it."


    The Williams family fell into an awkward silence.


    Leonard''s eyes narrowed, burning with hatred. "Your own family''s been kidnapped and you''re still cracking jokes. Admit it, you want Aurora dead."


    Ste gave a light, dismissiveugh. "And why would I care whether she lives or dies?"


    Israel was speechless for a second before exploding. "So that''s it, huh? You''re finally showing your true colors. I knew it you set Aurora up, you wanted her dead from the start-"


    Before he could finish, Ste cut him


    off, her voice t and cold. "You


    really think I should care about


    someone who''s happy to


    befriend. the man who kidnapped me? She never cared whether I lived on died. Why should I care about her? And as for the rest of you..."


    She swept her eyes over the room, her expression openly mocking.