Seriously, who else but family would sell something at cost with no conditions? Who just throws away that much money?


    "Alright," Ste said. "I''ll let Antoney know right away."


    This was the next step in the n she and Joshua had already worked out.<fnfd2a> For original chapters go to find·novel</fnfd2a>


    In light of the previous information leak, Ste had stopped making detailed ns


    in advance, which had left them vulnerable. Instead, she would simply inform Antoney Watson right before they were ready to execute the next phase.


    And the next phase, of course, was to leak the news that Leonard had been seriously injured and hospitalized.


    Any attempt by Leonard to hide something only fueled their determination to tell everyone.


    Joshua added, "Leonard''s injuries are serious. He''ll need a long time to recover, and we can''t let him have an easy time of it. Leaking this to his enemies should give him more than enough to handle."


    Leonard''s enemies weren''t just outsiders; some were from within the Lerman family itself. On his ruthless climb to the top, he had spilled the blood of more than


    a few of his own kin. He could guard against external threats, but traitors within his own house were another matter entirely.


    News of his injury had been kept under tight wraps, known only to his most


    trusted circle. Many members of the Lerman family were still in the dark. Once this information got out, Leonard wouldn''t know another moment of peace.


    As they were talking, a soft knock sounded at the office door.


    To their surprise, it was Foreman Richards.


    Since Joshua''s injury, Foreman had tried to meet with Ste several times, but she had turned him down each time. She was already a master of juggling her time-caring for Joshua, managing her workload, and ying the part of Neville Connolly''s fiancée. She was simply too busy to see him.


    Foreman had been trying to hack into Ste''s phone to see what she was up to, but she rarely sent text messages, and her activity was limited to trivial work matters. The recent rumor he''d heard, however, was wing at him.


    It said that Ste and Neville were together.


    He hadn''t seen Neville in so long he''d nearly forgotten the man existed. But now, it seemed Ste''s orbit not only included the scheming Joshua Gardner but also Neville, a man she trusted even more. Unable to glean anything from her phone, Foreman had decided he had to see her in person to feel out the situation between her and Neville.


    "Foreman, what are you doing here?" Ste asked.


    He smiled warmly. "I took a short trip to Briarwood City in Solmaris for a few days.


    My flight justnded, and I was passing by, so I thought I''d stop in and see you."


    He handed her an exquisitely wrapped gift box.


    "For you, Star."


    and Neville had a


    Both Foreman e


    habit of bringing her gifts whenever they returned from a business trip or


    UT


    a visit to another country. Not wanting to spoil the friendly gesture with porte refusals Ste usually epted them and would find an opportunity to give them something in returnter.


    She took the box with a smile. "Thank you."


    "Why don''t you open it and see if you like it?" Foreman urged, his voice gentle.


    At his prompting, Ste unwrapped


    the gift. Inside was a stunningly beautiful crystal music box. This time, the tiny violin on top wasn''t a replica of the famed Nocturne Ste but of the mameless one she used every day.


    Ste lifted the music box, her smile genuine. "It''s beautiful. I love it. Thank you, Foreman."


    Just then, Joshua''s voice cut in from the side.


    "Mr. Richards, you seem to have a fondness for giving music boxes?"