Israel was stunned, unable to form a rebuttal. He pointed a trembling finger at her. "Ste, how can you be so flippant at a time like this? I knew it! You want him dead!"


    Ste''s eyes turned to ice. "Joshua."


    Joshua stepped forward, grabbed Israel''s outstretched arm, and twisted.


    A sickening *crack* echoed through the hall, followed by Israel''s agonized


    scream.


    Ste looked down at him, her gaze colder than ever before. "I''m in a very bad mood today. Don''t test me. If you say one more word, I promise you will regret it."


    Sweat beaded on Israel''s forehead as he clutched his broken arm, his lips trembling too much to speak.


    Aurora rushed to his side. "Brother, are you alright?"


    Queenie, however, simply sized up Ste, then nced at Joshua, a smirk ying on her lips. Ste ignored her and started to walk away, but Queenie called out.


    "Ms. Cameron, wait a moment."


    Ste stopped, her expression impassive. "Is there something you need?"


    Queenie stepped in front of her, her face a mask of derision. "I feel so sorry for Haynes. He''s done so much for you, given you so much, and you won''t even save your own son. Ste, I have never met a woman as heartless as you."


    Ste fought to contain her irritation. With Keen missing, her patience was already worn thin. She was trying to coordinate a search and n a rescue, and now these two were cornering her with usations. It was infuriating.


    Her tone became sharp. "Whether I''m heartless or not is none of your business. You''re an outsider, and you have no right to interfere. And don''t talk to me about what Haynes deserves. You could give him the world, and he wouldn''t spare you a second nce So Ms. Burton suggest you stop acting so high and mighty, trying to lecture me."


    Ste gave her a dismissive look, her words cutting like ss. "You aren''t qualified. And you aren''t worthy."


    The retort may not have been<fn2772> Official source is </fn2772>


    Burton family had few women, and Queenie had been adored and


    pampered since birth, she was used


    to being the center of attention, not the target of such tant scorn-especially not from Ste, the woman she detested most.


    Just recently, she had learned from her uncle, Sellers Burton, that their grandfather had given Ste a highly coveted business opportunity—an opportunity that was supposed to have been hers.


    Then, a few days ago, Aurora told her Haynes and Keen had moved into the Williams Manor. Seizing the chance, Queenie had Aurora arrange for her to stay as well, hoping to get closer to Haynes But when she finally managed to speak with him, he had shut her downpletely.


    "Don''t waste your time on me," he''d said. "The only woman I will ever marry is Ste."