Ste nodded. "Yes."


    Haynes frowned. "How did he manage to find someone that skilled so easily?"


    Ste recounted her meeting with Harold, telling Haynes everything.


    Haynes fixed his deep, storm-gray eyes on her. "Star, think about it—someone who can defeat the top hacker in such a short time isn''t just skilled. That''s not a fair fight. That''s total domination. People like that? They''re never as simple as they seem."


    He leaned in, voice low and grave. "Do you really believe the person Joshua introduced to you is just an ordinary cab driver?”<fnc59d> Th?s chapter is updated by find(?)ovel</fnc59d>


    Before Ste could answer, Haynes pressed on, "And besides, how would Joshua, of all people, just happen to know someone so formidable?"


    Ste heard the warning behind his words, and lowered her gaze. "Either way, the problem''s been solved. That''s what matters."


    Haynes''s brow creased. "Star-"


    She looked up, meeting his eyes. "If he had some hidden agenda, he wouldn''t have offered to help so openly. He just wanted to help me, that''s all."


    Haynes knew Ste trusted Joshuapletely now. Without solid proof, any more warnings would only push her away. He rubbed his tired brow. He still hadn''t gotten to the bottom of things with Foreman, and now there was Joshua to worry about, too.


    In Leonard''s office, Israel lounged on the couch, watching the news with a smug grin curling his lips.


    "Leonard, weren''t you worried about


    Ste before? Thought she was some kind of genius?" He chuckled. "Well, in just a few days, she''s lost over twenty billion, and I''ve snatched up most of her major contracts The Williams Group''s board is deeply disappointed in her. If this keeps up, her reputation will be in tatters."  s


    Israel stretched back,zy and self-satisfied. "Even if we can''t kick her out of The Williams Group, once she returns, her authority will be nothing but an empty title."


    Leonard, after days of careful observation and seeing no unexpected fallout, finally rxed. "I never imagined Ste would fall apart so easily. I really overestimated her."


    A sly thought seemed to cross Israel''s mind. He lowered his voice. "Leonard, this hacker you hired—are you sure he''s as good as they say? What if Ste finds someone even better? Wouldn''t all our work be for nothing?"


    Leonard replied coolly, "Right now, Q is the best in the business. Finding someone stronger? Nearly


    impossible. Besides..." He took


    slow sip of tea. "Ste has no idea herpany''s security has already been breached. She''s probably tearing her hair out, desperately hunting for a traitor on the inside. By the time she''s forced to sell off her shares to fill the gaps, even if she does find someone more capable, it won''t matter. We already have all her confidential files. There''s noing back from that."  s


    Israel looked at Leonard. "You sound like you still have another trick up your sleeve."


    Leonard was sharp-no wonder he''d


    be head of the family. He


    vel


    tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. "Ste''s barely holding it together. Now''s the perfect moment. Have Q leak news of a major blunder she''s made. By the time she finds a hacker to fight back, it''ll be toote. No one wilt trust her, and no one will dare de business with her. She''ll have no choice but to dump her stock. That''s when you move in-push her share price even lower, and scoop up everything you can. This time, you''ll force Stepletely out of the game.”  s