The Williams family had gathered under one roof, all because of Ste''s disappearance.


    Israel Williams couldn''t hide his anger. "Ste''s been missing for two whole days right under our noses, and we''re only just finding out now!" As he spoke, he nced upstairs and let out a cold, dismissive scoff. "And it''s all because that ungrateful brat kept covering for her. If it weren''t for him, we would''ve known much sooner. Like mother, like son-utterly heartless, the both of them."


    Skyler and Jonathan Williams''s faces hardened at his words.


    "Enough, Israel!" Jonathan snapped.


    Aurora Williams spoke up as well, her tone sharper than usual. "Second brother, Keen is just a child. Don''t take it out on him." Skyler had already made it clear to everyone—the grudges between the adults should never involve Keen.


    He himself had once been ruthless in his youth, but age had tempered his edges. He simply couldn''t bring himself to be so cold-blooded anymore, especially not toward a child. No matter what happened, he would never let anyone harm Keen.


    Seeing that no one was siding with him, Israel''s breath caught in his throat and his expression turned awkward.<fn0464> Newest update provided by F?ndNovel</fn0464>


    Coleman Williams broke the silence. "The people we sent to investigate just called. Apparently, Ste and her bodyguard were ambushed. Judging by the evidence at the scene, the attackers weren''t from Solmaris."


    Jonathan frowned. "Not from Solmaris? Does Ste have enemies in other countries, too?"


    Israel let out a sarcasticugh. "See? Ste''s been nothing but trouble since the day she was born. If she''s not causing headaches here, she''s stirring up enemies abroad. No wonder she agreed toe back—she''s just looking for the family''s protection."


    No one bothered to respond.


    Aurora turned to Coleman. "Any idea who these people are, or which country they''re from?"


    Coleman shook his head. "All we know is they''re from Aetheria. Beyond that, nothing concrete."


    Aurora''s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. People from Aetheria.


    Just then, her phone rang. She excused herself and stepped outside to take the call.


    On the other end was Leonard. "I heard Ste''s gone missing?"


    Aurora didn''t bother asking how Leonard had found out. "That''s right, Leonard. Were those ambushers your doing?"


    "Not mine," Leonard replied, but there was a strange amusement in his voice. "But


    I did tip them off. Those people-they''re Joshua''s enemies."


    Ste was untouchable for the moment, and Leonard knew he


    couldn''t get to her directly, Still, he wasn''t about to swallow his losses so easily. After all, The Lerman Group had taken a massive


    hit hundreds of millions gone-and his position had grown shaky.  s


    If he couldn''t strike at Ste, there was always Joshua. Joshua had no shortage of enemies, especially in Aetheria. All Leonard had to do was leak a little information, and Joshua would never know peace again. The people hunting Joshua were ruthless they didn''t care about


    coteral damage. If Ste got


    caught in the crossfire and ended up


    dead, well, Leonard could hardly be


    med.


    s


    It was the perfect n: two birds with one stone, and he wouldn''t even have to get


    his own hands dirty.


    Aurora saw right through him. She frowned. "Leonard, Ste already made out her will. Even if something happens to her, the family won''t get her original shares. And don''t forget-she''s our blood. Father made himself clear no matter how fierce the fighting gets between us, g-ge no one crosses the line. Life is the


    bottom line."  s