As expected, Israel asked, "What is it?"


    Leonard replied, "It''s about Simone. You saw what happened before. On the day we went to rescue Aurora, Simone was kidnapped and... vited. The people behind it are using this to ckmail her and steal business opportunities from The Lerman Group."


    Israel didn''t seem interested in Simone''s predicament. "So, what''s your point?"


    Leonard continued, "The person who orchestrated Simone''s kidnapping is almost certainly someone close to Ste—though I can''t say exactly who just yet. But..." Leonard leaned in, lowering his voice to outline his n.


    At first, Israel looked bored, barely listening. But as Leonard spoke, Israel''s eyes began to light up. The prospect of bringing Ste down without having to get his own hands too dirty was tempting-how could he pass up such an opportunity?


    After all, if Ste made a critical mistake, disappointing The Williams Group''s shareholders, then their chances of buying out her original shares would skyrocket.


    Israel said, “Ste probably managed to acquire Pearce Group''s original shares with help from Haynes and Neville. I suggest we strike against them now. It''d deal a heavy blow-maybe even let us take over theirpanies too. Without their support, Ste is finished. She won''t have a leg to stand on."


    He''d tried persuading his father and older brother to go after Haynes and the others, but they hadn''t given him a straight answer. They wouldn''t make a move unless they were absolutely sure Ste had gotten her funds from those men. Israel thought that was just an excuse. They were still clinging to their fake sense of propriety and family ties-otherwise, why the hesitation?


    Well, if they wouldn''t do it, he would. It wouldn''t be the first time he''d yed the viin.


    ***


    The signing ceremony went off without a hitch. Even at the end, Ste felt like she was still dreaming. She had actually pulled it off-she''d sessfully acquired Pearce Group''s shares.


    On the way back, Joshua asked, "You spent three hundred sixty million out of the five hundred million, so there''s still over a hundred million left. What are your ns for it?"


    Ste replied, want to make some long-term investments. Now that I''ve secured Pearce Group, I don''t have to rush to impress The Williams Group''s shareholders ''fect the time to step back and really learn the ropes.”  s


    Joshua reminded her, "Didn''t Foreman have to sell off some of his assets? Make sure youpensate his losses-double them. Don''t let yourself owe anyone a favor."


    Covering just his losses wouldn''t eat up too much—she''d still have plenty of funds left.


    Ste nodded. "Alright, I''ll have someone crunch the numbers."<fn5465> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? f?ndnovel</fn5465>


    ***


    After the Pearce Group acquisition, Ste spent nearly a month running herself ragged. She was still new to the business world and had barely wrapped her head around everything when when she ended up shepherding


    such a massive project. It was overwhelming, to say the east.  s


    She buried herself in work, barely noticing the storm brewing outside her office walls.


    Then, one day, Foreman''s assistant, Ray, sought her out.


    "Ms. Cameron, Mr. Richards... Mr. Richards hasn''t slept for days. Can you go see him?"


    Ste looked at Ray, concerned. "What''s going on with Foreman?"


    Ray hesitated, clearly struggling with what to say, but finally steeled himself. "Mr. Richards''pany is in serious trouble. They''re facing an unprecedented crisis.''


    Ste''s eyes widened. "What happened?"


    Ray shook his head. “I don''t know all the details-some of it''s confidential. But what I do know is this: The L''erman Group has been attacking The Richards Group relentlessly."  s