Rachel hissed, "She must''ve picked up the keepsake herself! Joshua, don''t believe a word of her lies!"


    If Joshua didn''t take her side, she was as good as finished. Right now, he was her only hope.


    Joshua replied, "That''s possible, but I need to look into it. In the meantime, let''s not be in touch. If I was wrong about you, I''ll make it up to youter.”


    Rachel tried to protest, but Joshua had already hung up.


    Staring at her phone screen, Rachel ground her teeth in frustration. If Simone hadn''t ruined her n, she''d have faked her pregnancy, and with Joshua''s help, maybe she could''ve married into the Haynes family by now. But Simone had thrown a wrench into everything, and all her efforts had gone to waste.


    What if... what if Simone disappeared? Wouldn''t that clear the way for her?


    As the thought took hold, Rachel''s eyes darkened with a chilling resolve. Hiding in the shadows like a rat, living in constant fear-she''d rather go out in a ze than cower forever. If she could get Joshua''s full support, even a risky move might be worth it. Once Joshua was convinced she was his one true love, he''d do anything to protect her.


    ---


    Soon, the day arrived for Ste to start her job at The Williams Group. It was also Aurora''s first day.


    Aurora''s hair and eyebrows were gone, but she didn''t let it shake her. She could always wear a wig for now, and if she wanted, get her brows restored. As for her hand... she hardly cared. Even if she lost it entirely, it wouldn''t crush her spirit. Her beauty and her talents were just tools-means to an end. She''d pay any price, make any sacrifice, as long as she got what she wanted. Pain was fleeting; once endured, it faded into memory.


    On the eve of Ste and Aurora''s first day, Skyler gathered the Williams family for a small meeting.


    "You''re all my children," Skyler<fn8bd3> This text is hosted at Find_Novel(.</fn8bd3>


    began, his tone firm but fair. "I''ve always said there''s no favoritism here-no sons above daughters. The capable ones rise. Thepany shares I''m giving you are divided


    equally. Aurora gets an extra five percent, aspensation. That was agreed upon long ago. Does anyone object?"  s


    Israel shot Ste a warning nce. "No objections."


    Skyler nodded and produced a document. "Here''s the ten percent share for you, Ste. Take it."


    Ste smiled, epting the papers without hesitation. "Thank you, Father."


    This share had been promised to her before she returned to the family. Now that she was back, Skyler was determined to keep his word, both as a father and a man of principle. The rest of the family had known


    The awhile, ne one raised a


    about it for a while;


    fuss.  s


    Skyler continued, "You''re both starting out at The Williams Group, so you''ll need to cut your teeth running some of our smaller subsidiaries before moving up management. When Jonathan, Israel, and Jasper first joined, they did the same."  s


    He looked at Aurora and Ste. "Any questions?"


    Both shook their heads.


    Jonathan handed each of them a folder. "Here are a fewpanies to choose from. Take a look."


    As soon as Aurora opened hers, Israel and Coleman jumped in, eager to offer advice.


    Skyler turned to Ste. "Ste, if you need help, your big brother''s always there. Back in the day, he pulled off a miracleeback and made a name for himself overnight."