Maybe someone had deliberately suppressed the news, because not a single photo of Joshua had surfaced online.


    But if you looked into him, information was everywhere.


    His reputation, in fact, was just as formidable as his brother''s.


    "I just can''t figure it out," Aurora said, frowning. "Why would he choose to stay by Ste''s side? What''s in it for him?"


    Even now, Aurora couldn''t believe Joshua felt anything romantic toward Ste.<fnb7cb> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find[?]ovel</fnb7cb>


    It wasn''t just that Ste was divorced-she also had a child. Sure, she was good- looking, but a man like Joshua could have any woman he wanted.


    On this point, Leonard agreedpletely.


    He didn''t believe for a second that Joshua was interested in Ste, either.


    After a moment''s thought, Leonard said, "He''s ambitious, that''s for sure. Maybe he wants to swallow up the entire Williams family."


    "The money he''s invested isn''t charity. For all we know, Joshua already swindled Ste out of her shares. And to get Ste to trust him, he''d have to give her a taste of sess first."


    Aurora asked, "Leonard, do you think Ste knows who Joshua really is?"


    Leonard shook his head. "Doubtful. If she did, she wouldn''t still be treating him like a bodyguard-she''d be clinging to him for dear life."


    Suddenly, something else urred to Leonard. "You know, maybe the Williams family isn''t even his only target. Our own family, the Lermans, could be on his list too."


    "And honestly, he''s already halfway there. Simone ispletely under his spell now."


    A cold, steely glint shed in Leonard''s eyes.


    "If Joshua wants to take down the Williams family, let''s just sit tight and watch what he does next. When the time is right, we''ll strike-hit him where it hurts By tables will have turned, and he''ll be the one on the defensive."  s


    then the


    A faint, calcting smile yed at Leonard''s lips. "Why not use this opportunity to take over the Gardner family ourselves?"


    Aurora had never bothered hiding her own ambition from Leonard. She thought his n was a good one.


    Another thought crossed her mind. "Shouldn''t we warn Father and my brothers, though?"


    "The fewer people who know, the safer we are," Leonard replied. "If they get wind of this, one of two things will happen: either they''ll start to guard against Joshua, or they''ll try to win him over."


    "Joshua isn''t someone to be underestimated. If they''re wary, he''ll sense it. If they try to cozy up to him, well, with his cunning, they''ll be no match for him."


    what I was worried


    "That''s exactly wh


    about," Aurora admitted. "I''ve been


    hesitant to tell Father and my brothers. But if Joshua makes another move my brothers could end up paying the price Just look at what happened to Israel."  s


    Leonard replied, "Israel lost something, sure, but it''s not enough to shake the foundation of the


    have to risk a pawn to cater you? Williams Group. Sometimes you''


    the


    Wolf. If Ste hadn''t invested that twenty billion, Israel wouldn''t have walked into Joshua''s trap."  s


    Aurora considered this, then gave a small, thoughtful nod. "Alright. We''ll do as you suggest."


    Leonard allowed himself a rare smile. "Don''t worry, Aurora. If the Williams Group ever runs into real trouble, the Lermans will be there to back you up."


    Ste''s victory in this business war was nothing short of legendary; it even made it into business school textbooks. But that''s a story for another time.


    Once Israel''s crisis was resolved, Joshua found an opportunity to invite Ste out for a private conversation.