To ensure fairness, Skyler and the three Jonathan brothers abstained from the vote.


    Yet, despite Ste''s proposal clearly being the stronger one, more people ended up voting for Aurora.


    The only ones supporting Ste were the shareholders who had previously


    backed Nora, along with a handful of neutral parties hoping to snag a piece of the pie.


    Most of the neutral faction, however, remained firmly on the fence.


    No matter how impable Ste''s n was, or how capable she proved herself to be, they would never risk picking a side so carelessly.


    They understood all too well that, in the Williams Group, talent alone could only take you so far.


    Over the years, Skyler had openly suppressed Nora''s supporters, determined to reim thest of the original shares from their hands.


    Backing Ste now was as good as defying Skyler.


    Considering Skyler was still the Group''srgest shareholder, a misstep in these power games could easilynd them in the same predicament as Nora''s backers -facing elimination.


    Without the Williams family''s support, Ste never stood a real chance against Aurora.


    The shareholders loyal to Nora looked on grimly as the votes were tallied.


    Aurora''s advantage was overwhelming, crushing Ste''s numbers.


    Atst, Israel and Coleman allowed themselves a slight smile.<fn6a09> Newest update provided by Find~Novel</fn6a09>


    After the voting, Skyler turned to Ste.


    "Star, you don''t have any objections to the result, do you?"


    Thispany was never a ce where Ste could do as she pleased.


    And as a neer, she certainly wasn''t going to object in public and hand her enemies ammunition.


    With a calm, polite smile, Ste replied, "Since everyone voted, it couldn''t have been more fair. I have noints."


    A ripple of expressions swept through the room.


    Fair? There hadn''t been anything fair in the Williams Group for a long time.


    Israel, watching Ste keep herposure, felt a stab of disappointment.


    He''d been certain that, faced with such an unfair oue, Ste


    would make a scene m


    that


    would expose her inexperience and cost her any remaining support.  s


    He never expected her to hold her ground so well.


    Skyler spoke again. "Star, you must have an alternative candidate for the contract. Why don''t you present that option to everyone?"


    Ste nodded, unfazed by the fact that her originalpany had been poached.


    She had no reason to be rattled; she''d never intended to go with her initial choice anyway.


    She and Joshua had workedte into the night, analyzing whichpanies Aurora was most likely


    to select, and then prepared three detailed counterproposals.  s


    The real purpose ofpeting with Aurora was to prove that Aurora''s chosen candidate was the strongest contender.


    If Aurora presented the best possiblepany and still lost to Ste, it would only


    make Aurora look ipetent.


    Even if the result was a tie, Ste would stille out ahead.


    In the end, it was all a matter of mind games.


    Joshua had been right: in just one year, it was virtually impossible to change anything fundamental.


    At times like this, it all came down to influence and connections.


    For Ste, it hardly mattered whichpany she chose.


    If Aurora won, the effect Ste wanted was achieved.


    After Ste presented her backup candidate, the neutrals took


    notice heposure and


    undisturbed by the earlier setback, earned their respect.


    belongs to s


    When the meeting concluded, people filed out of the conference room one by


    one.


    As this was a high-level meeting of the Williams Group, Joshua, as a bodyguard, hadn''t been allowed inside.


    He waited patiently outside the doors.


    When Ste emerged, she gave Joshua a subtle nod, letting him know everything had gone ording to n.