Ste had sent people to investigate Jake, but no matter how hard they tried, they came up empty-handed.


    Deep down, she understood the truth-anyone who could produce five billion dors at the drop of a hat was operating on a level far beyond her reach.


    The reality was, she was never going to find anything useful.


    When Foreman heard about her efforts, he rushed to her office, anxious to talk her out of it.


    "Star, you can''t trust this guy. He''s probably a scam artist. Or maybe he''s just trying to sabotage your fundraising. He doesn''t want you to seed."


    Ste had considered that possibility too, but Jake''s words had been so confident, so matter-of-fact, that she just couldn''t believe he was bluffing.


    She''d met her fair share of people over the years; she wasn''t some na?ve rookie. And Jake? He just didn''t give off the vibe of a conman.


    Foreman''s voice broke through her thoughts again.


    "Star, you don''t have to worry about the money. Haynie and I—we''ll figure something out for you. I promise, we''ll raise the funds you need within three days."


    Ste gave him a grateful smile. "I can''t thank you both enough for being willing to help me like this. But it''s not a small sum... If anything happens to yourpany, if your cash flow gets disrupted, you could be in real trouble."


    She looked up at Foreman, her eyes serious. "That''s why, after thinking it over, I''ve decided to sell one percent of my founding shares. I''ll use the money as capital for future investments and as working funds."


    Her voice was calm and gentle, like a quiet stream.


    "I can''t keep running around borrowing money every time I need it."


    Foreman''s expression changed instantly. "What? You''re going to sell your founding shares?"<fn5130> Latest content published on find?novel</fn5130>


    Ste nodded quietly. "I''ve already contacted the shareholders who supported my mother''s side. They''re willing to buy them and have promised that I can buy them back anytime I want."


    These shareholders owed everything to her mother, Nora. Their loyalty to her was absolute.


    Foreman''s tone grew agitated. "Those shares are your mother''s legacy to you-your safety! How can you sell them so easily?


    this just ying into the Williams family''s hands?"  s


    Ste was surprised by how upset he was.


    Standing beside Foreman, his


    assistant Ray couldn''t help but


    whisper, "Mr. Richards has sold off


    ie


    all his assets-even his shares in Richards Group-to help Ms. Cameron raise the money. And now Ms. Cameron says she doesnt need it... All his efforts were fornothing..."  s


    He didn''t get to finish before Foreman rounded on him. "Ray, that''s enough."


    Ray quickly dropped his gaze and fell silent.


    Ste was taken aback. She hadn''t expected Foreman to go so far as to sell his shares and assets for her sake.


    Guilt twisted inside her. "Foreman, thank you for being willing to help me. About everything you''ve sold..."


    She was interrupted by a cool, crisp voice that rang out from behind them.


    "Everything you sold for her, we''ll buy back at double the price. You won''t lose a cent."


    The door to Ste''s private lounge swung open. A tall, lean figure stepped out, moving withzy confidence.


    He was wearing a loose bathrobe, his broad, pale chest exposed. Droplets of water trickled from his damp hair, skimming down his skin-both restrained and enticing.


    Foreman stared in shock as he realized who it was.


    "You... What are you doing here?"


    If he wasn''t mistaken, Joshua had just stepped out of Ste''s lounge.


    Why had he been in there? And why had he been showering?


    Foreman''s hands curled into fists, his breathing faster, a flush creeping up the edge of his eyes.


    Seeing the look on Foreman''s face,


    Ste hurried to exin, "Um...


    Joshua identally spilled scalding,


    coffee on himself earlier. I was worried he''d get burned, so I told him to shower and rinse it off.”  s