Israel realized he''d said the wrong thing and pressed his lips together, falling silent.


    "Either way, with that much power in Ste''s hands, you know she''ll throw her weight around," he muttered. "Sooner orter, she''ll turn the Williams Group into aplete disaster."


    Aurora shook her head. "I wouldn''t be so sure. Even if Ste wanted to go off the rails, those board elders backing her would never let it happen."<fn5f2d> Checktest chapters at FιndＮovel</fn5f2d>


    Israel scoffed. "Those old fossils? They''re still ying office politics, and I''ve had enough of them. They never actually contribute anything to thepany-just block everything we try to do. ''This won''t work, that''s too risky...'' It''s always something. They just happened to be lucky enough to bask in Mom''s glory for a few years, and now they act like they''re big shots. It''s the twenty-first century, but they''re still clinging to their outdated ways."


    He paused, then admitted, "Granted, Mom''s investments were a huge sess- not because of luck, but because she really had an eye for opportunity. But if she were starting out in today''s cutthroat market, I doubt she''d have it so easy."


    Coleman spoke up. "Ste''s been studying art all these years; who knows if she''s even up to the challenge? If she turns out to be a screw-up, even Mom''s loyalists will abandon her soon enough. Besides..."


    A cold edge crept into Coleman''s eyes. "We''re Nora''s children too. Why shouldn''t they support us instead?"


    Israel froze for a moment, then bitterness twisted his features. "Mom was always so unfair. She left us-her three sons for all those years, never once came back to see us! Not even at the end... she died without saying goodbye! And now, she left everything to Ste. Is Ste her only child? Are we not her sons? Did she never feel the slightest bit guilty toward us?"


    As he spoke, Israel''s eyes reddened with emotion.


    Coleman started to say something tofort him, but in the end, he just fell silent. Deep down, he too resented their mother-for leaving them when they were so young, for never sparing them a thought. And now she was gone, having left everything to Ste, never once considering her sons'' futures.


    At that moment, a clear, cool voice rang out from the doorway.


    "No matter how guilty she might''ve felt, seeing how you treat someone else''s daughter better than your own any quilt she had would''ve long since run dry."  s


    Everyone turned to see Joshua


    Gardner entering the rooma staret


    of document folders in his hand-no doubt meant for Ste.  s


    Their conversation in the living room had carried straight to the hall, and Joshua had caught every word.


    Israel and Coleman didn''t bother to


    hide their feelings, and Joshua didn''t look surprised to them they were only stating the truth-nothing they wouldn''t say to Ste''s face.  s


    Israel, eyes still red, red at Joshua. "What did you just say? Go on, say that again!"


    Joshua didn''t even look at him. "I don''t waste words on bullies."


    But Coleman fixed his gaze on Joshua. "Are you saying-did Mom evere to see us?"


    All these years, Coleman had never known a mother''s love. Deep down, how could he not long for it?


    Joshua had always been Ste''s bodyguard, at her side day and night. Maybe... just maybe, he knew something they didn''t.