"If your recklessness ruins our father and big brother''s ns, they won''t forgive you," Coleman warned.


    Only when Skyler and Jonathan''s names were mentioned did Israel finally rein in


    his temper.


    "I''m not about to do anything stupid," he said, forcing himself to calm down. "I just want to get close to that investor from earlier and figure out if he''s a fraud or not. If Ste ends up losing her original shares to a scammer, we''ll be the real losers in this mess."


    Coleman shot him a look. "Watch yourself. Don''t cross the line."


    "Rx," Israel replied. "I promise, I won''t do anything rash this time."


    Israel''s temper was notorious, but that didn''t mean he was thoughtless. To make sure Ste didn''t actually secure an investor, he spread the word behind the scenes and went out of his way to "negotiate" with people interested in partnering with her or buying into herpany.


    Once they got Israel''s warning, most of them backed off immediately. Their interest in working with Ste wasrgely because of her Williams family background. Now that Israel was privately warning them off, it was clear there was internal conflict. Doing business with Ste looked risky-no one wanted to get on the wrong side of the Williams family.


    One after another, potential partners distanced themselves. Ste''s phone went silent.


    When Israel got word of the results, he was all too happy to report back to Coleman and Aurora. "Even if Ste manages to acquire Pearce Group, no one will dare work with her again."


    He turned to Aurora, his expression smug. "Once Ste brings Pearce Group under her name, those numbers are going to boost her annual performance. Aurora, you might be getting the short end of the stick here."


    Aurora only smiled, unbothered. "Father''s always wanted those original shares back. If they get what they want, I don''t mind making a few sacrifices."


    After Ste acquired Pearce Group''s stock, there was almost no way Aurora could outperform her. Once both women joined the Williams Group, Ste''s status would undoubtedly overshadow Aurora''s.


    Coleman tried to reassure her. “Don''t worry, Aurora. Father and Skyler will figure out a way topensate you. Let Ste enjoy her little moment of glory while she can."


    He and Israel had already discussed it: this year, they''d do whatever it took to make sure Aurora''s numbers looked better than Ste''s.


    The only problem was Shawn had lost his head and tried to set Ste up-only for things to backfire in her favor. At least, Israel thought, they''d managed to squeeze some original shares out of Ste, which helped bnce things a bit.  s


    When it came to those shares, even Aurora had to step aside. After all, the money


    for the Pearce Group buyout came directly from the Williams family—it was their support that put Ste on top.


    But Israel wasn''t done scheming.<fn9ead> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? Find_Novel(.</fn9ead>


    He''d worked out a way to kill two


    birds with one stone: force Ste


    ???


    resentment.  s


    He nced at Aurora. "By the way, Leonard''s been making one dumb move after anothertely. If he hadn''t gotten Shawn involved, Ste would never havended such a golden opportunity He''s clearly Sharp as everyone thinks. You''d do well to stay away from him."  s


    Aurora just smiled, her voice gentle. "Noted, big brother."


    not


    In a private suite, Jake ryed to the man in front of him every detail about Israel''s warning.


    The man sat back, his face hidden in shadows beyond the reach of the chandelier''s light. He removed a small bottle from his pocket and handed it to Jake.


    "Slip this into Foreman''s drink,” he said.


    Jake took the bottle, frowning. "What is it?"


    The man''s lips curled faintly, his voice cold and smooth as ice melting into water.


    "If he''s shameless enough to scheme after her, he doesn''t deserve to call himself a man anymore."