Ste''s n to acquire the Pearce Group was all about the long game.


    By securing a portion of the Pearce Group''s shares first, she could pave the way for smoother progress in the future, instead of finding herself blocked at every turn. Once she entered the Williams Group, she wouldn''t have to constantly defer to others or beg for approval. There would be no risk of holding shares that came with no real power, of watching her authority slip quietly through her fingers.


    That was exactly why both Haynes and Joshua supported her in buying up the Pearce Group her decision was sound, even if it meant selling off some of her original shares. The trade-off was worth it.


    The signing event was already packed, a sea of people filling the venue. All the major yers from Solmaris Corporation had been invited to witness the deal. With the Pearce family''s reputation, it was only natural that tonight''s proceedings drew so much attention.


    Ten minutes before the ceremony began, the crowd was already buzzing with hushed spection.


    "I can''t believe the Pearce Group is actually willing to sell. Who''s on the other side of this deal? I heard the Williams Group tried to buy just ten percent of their shares once, and the Pearce Group wouldn''t budge."


    "Do you know who Ste is? She''s the daughter Skyler just brought back into the family a little while ago. Rumor has it, she controls the most critical original shares in the Williams Group—the kind that gives her leverage over some of the most advanced techpanies out there."<fn6906> This content belongs to find?novel</fn6906>


    "The Williams family holds a controlling stake in three of the world''s top five biotechpanies. Those three alone own countless patents, raking in millions every year in licensing fees. Most of it gets poured right back into R&D, but for the next decade at least, their dominance is untouchable."


    "No wonder the Pearce Group agreed to the acquisition. Looks like they want a piece of that action."


    "The Pearce Group''s been on the decline for years now. If they kept going like this, there''d be no future for them. Letting themselves be acquired might actually be their best shot at turning things around."


    "But tell me, what''s really going on with the Williams family? How did the most important ten percent of shares end up in the hands of the daughter who only just came back?"


    "I heard it''s one of Skyler''s old scandals catching up with him... Oh, look, the Williams family just walked in."


    "The Pearce family refused to let the Williams Group buy them out, but now they''re selling to the Williams daughter instead? Must be a blow to their pride. Seems like that young woman has more credibility than the whole family put together."


    Amidst the sidelong nces and barely concealed schadenfreude, the Williams family entered the room.


    Whatever anyone said, Ste was still a member of the Williams family, and herpany was part of the Williams Group. For a deal of this magnitude, the Pearce family could hardly avoid inviting them.


    Once the Williams father and son


    were seated, Shawn''s father greeted


    them with a broad smile. "The Williams family is full of hidden talent looks like the next generation is outshining thest! Ste managed to raise such a massive Sum in Just three days. Imagin? your family must have helped her out quite a bit, right?"  s


    At his words, the Williams family''s expressions collectively darkened.


    Shawn''s father smirked inwardly. Other families might do everything possible to support their children, but not the Williamses. Not only would they refuse to give Ste a cent-they''d be the first to throw obstacles in her path.


    If Ste needed cash to buy Pearce Group shares, why would the Williams family let such a golden opportunity to snap up those original shares ship through their fingers? The fact that she''d managed to raise so much money so quickly proved she was more capable than anyone had realized.  s


    Still, even now, there was no telling whether the deal would actually go through.


    Israel caught the mocking undertone


    in Shawn''s father''s words and


    replied coldly, "Shawn is still


    missing, and yet Mr. Pearce is about to sign partnership with the ones responsible for his disappearance. If Shawn knew about this, he''d never rest in peace."  s