Whether Joshua was truly helping Ste or not no longer mattered to Leonard. Things had escted to a point where reconciliation between them was impossible.


    A faint, mocking smile touched Leonard''s lips. "Actually, Joshua isn''t wrong. If it weren''t for you, I never would have gone after Ste, and her hand wouldn''t have been ruined. In other words, I targeted Ste because I believed she was the source of your grievances. Aurora, Joshua and I are the same kind of people. The only difference is my devotion is to you, and his is to Ste."


    Aurora''s expression stiffened almost imperceptibly. For some reason, she sensed a change in Leonard.


    "Leonard, what are you talking about?" Israelined. "You used to be the first one to stand up for Aurora and put anyone who bullied her in their ce. Why are you siding with Ste and Joshua now?"


    Leonard leaned back, his voicezy. "I could do that before because I had the power. Now, I can barely protect myself. Who knows when I''ll be dragged down from my position? I''m afraid I no longer have the ability to teach them a lesson."


    Israel was taken aback. This didn''t sound like Leonard at all. The Leonard he knew was stubborn and extreme. It wouldn''t matter if he was injured; even if he were on hisst breath, he would never let anyone get away with hurting Aurora.


    Then Leonard added, "Besides, you need a valid reason to make a move, to hold the moral high ground. How am I supposed to go after them this time? im Joshua wrecked Aurora''s car on purpose? idents happen all the time. Didn''t Aurora consider that possibility when she lent him the car?"<fnacdf> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find?novel</fnacdf>


    It wasn''t just a feeling. Aurora was now certain that Leonard had changed. She knew her absence from the hospital would breed resentment, but in the past, a few soothing words from her would have been enough to cate him. But now...


    She clenched her fists. Joshua''s provocations must have worked. There was no other exnation for this reaction.


    Aurora understood the situation, but Israel was oblivious. To him, Leonard''s words sounded like those of a heartless jerk.


    "Leonard, listen to yourself!" he fumed, pointing a finger at him. "Joshua destroyed Aurora''s Dawnlight, and you''re just going to sit there? You''re the one who personally modified that car! It''s obvious he did it to get back at Aurora. You can''t possibly think it was an ident!"


    Leonard nced at Israel. "You think I don''t know he did it on purpose? But so what if he did? I destroyed the Nocturne Ste and ruined


    Ste''s hand. Isn''t it only fair


    that


    Joshua would want revenge or am I the only one allowed to attack people while they''re not allowed to retaliate Mr. Williams, your double standards are even worse than mine."


    Israel was stunned. He almost wondered if Leonard had been reced by an impostor. "What does you destroying Ste have to do with our Aurora?" he stammered. "If Joshua wants revenge, he should target you. Our Aurora is innocent!"


    A chilling smile spread across Leonard''s lips. "Mr. Williams, you''ve known me for a long time. You know exactly what kind of person I am. With


    Since you chose to associate me you should have been prepared f?r


    the consequences." His smile remained, but his eyes were like ice. "You can''t just reap all the benefits and expect me to bear the fallout alone."


    Israel opened his mouth but couldn''t find a single word to say. The Williams family had benefited immensely from Leonard over the years. After a long pause, he finally managed, "But... you can''t just stand by and watch Joshua give Aurora a hard time, can you?"


    At this, Aurora finally cut in. "That''s enough, Israel. Leonard is right. Besides, apart from the Dawnlight being destroyed, I wasn''t hurt. It''s not that big a deal." She smiled, changing the subject. "Leonard, you haven''t eaten, have you? What would you like for lunch? I can go get it for you."


    Leonard looked at her, his eyes deep and unreadable. "I want something you''ve made yourself," he said suddenly.


    Aurora froze. Before she could


    respond, Israel eximed in


    disbelief, Leonard, did you hit your


    head today? Aurora''s hands are for ying the violin, racing cars, and creating perfumes. When would she ever learn to do housewife chores like cooking?" He thoughtof Ste and scoffed. "You think everyone is Marrying into the Brien.


    like Ste


    family, bing a wealthy socialite,


    and still cooking for herself... She


    practically invented suffering for no


    reason. No wonder they got


    divorced."


    Aurora also turned to Leonard apologetically. "I''m sorry, Leonard, but I''m really not


    skilled in the kitchen. If you''d like home-cooked food, I can have a friend find


    some good local restaurants. Would that be alright?"


    Leonard fell silent. After a few seconds, he said, "I was joking. Of course I know you can''t cook."