"The reason Skyler Williams values Aurora so highly isn''t because of her talent," Joshua continued. "It''s because of thework and resources she controls. I''ve looked into it. Over the years, she''s cultivated connections with countless influential figures. Suitors like Leonard and Sellers Burton, friends like Queenie Burton and Simone. After joining The Williams Group, her status skyrocketed, allowing her to meet even more powerful people."


    Hearing this, something clicked for Ste. "Josh, are you... still in contact with Simone?"


    He nced at her. "We were never really in contact to begin with."


    Ste hesitated. "But, a while ago, I remember you two seemed to be getting quite close..." Given their current animosity with the Lerman family, things would be veryplicated if Joshua developed feelings for Simone.


    A strange look crossed Joshua''s face. "Does it bother you that I was close with her?" he asked.


    Ste paused, looking at him instinctively. He was staring at her, his dark eyes like a bottomless, nocturnal sea. A strange feeling stirred within her. In the past, she would have said she didn''t care; it was his life, after all. But now...


    "Josh, considering our current situation with Leonard, it''s not appropriate for you to be too close to Simone."


    "And if Leonard weren''t in the picture?" he pressed. "Would it be fine for me to be close to her then?"


    Ste didn''t know why he was asking this, but she answered anyway. "Without Leonard in the way, I suppose there wouldn''t be a problem..."


    Before the words had fully left her mouth, his voice cut in again. "So you''re saying that as long as it doesn''t conflict with your agenda, you don''t care which woman I get close to, or even end up with? Is that right?"


    Ste was confused by his questions, but she nodded in response.


    Joshua''s lips thinned into a hard line. His face grew cold, his voice t. "Is that so?"


    Ste studied his expression. "Josh, what''s wrong?"<fn8a91> Read full story at find·novel</fn8a91>


    "Nothing," he said, his face a mask.


    "Are you angry?" she asked cautiously.


    "No."


    The air in the room grew chilly. When Joshua was silent like this he lost all of his usual sunny disposition and seemed utterly detached Ste was about to ask him more when a knock came at the door.


    Harold walked in, carrying a fruit


    basket, As Joshua''s "friend," it wase


    only natural for him to visit while Joshua was hospitalized


    "Joshua. Ms. Cameron."


    Seeing Harold, Ste felt an inexplicable wave of relief. "Harold," she said with a smile. "You came to see Josh again."


    Harold set the basket down. "Yeah, business has been a little slow... hehe. I''m not interrupting, am I?"


    Ste poured him a ss of water. "Not at all, Mr. Moore. Please, sit down and rest."


    "You''re too kind, Ms. Cameron," Harold said, smiling sheepishly. "Just call me Harold."


    "Then you should stop calling me Ms. Cameron," Ste replied. "Call me Ste."


    Harold waved his hands frantically. "No, no, I couldn''t! You''re Joshua''s boss. I can''t be so casual."


    It suddenly urred to Ste that


    Harold always referred to Joshua by his full name, never just ''Josh,'' unlike most people around her. But the thought was fleeting, gone as quickly as it appeared. Everyone had their own habits, after all.