"How much was it? I''ll pay you back," Ste said tly.
Israel red at her. "Do you think this is about money? Do you think we''re short on cash?"
"Then what do you want?" Ste asked.
A cruel smile spread across Israel''s face. "Aurora''s car was destroyed. It''s impossible for you to return the car you took from her, but since we''re family, you canpensate her with an identical race car. *Dawnlight* was the car that won Aurora countless championships. It means as much to her as *Nocturne Ste* means to you. I''m only being reasonable because we''re rtives."
Israel''s face was a mask of smug provocation. "So, Ste? Do you dare to pay that price for him?"
Her expression remained calm. "I can rece *Dawnlight* for you, but you''ll have to send me aplete list of all its parts."
Israel started to say something else, but Ste cut him off coolly.
"I''m not familiar with the car. If you don''t provide a list, I''ll just build it my own way. If it doesn''t meet your standards, that''s not my problem."
"Fine," Israel sneered. "I''ll send you a list down to the veryst screw. And if you can''t replicate it, don''t me us for forgetting we''re family."
*Dawnlight* had been personally modified by Leonard. Even if Ste could get the parts, assembling an identical car was impossible. Not to mention, many of the materials andponents couldn''t simply be bought; only Leonard had ess to them. And given that he and Ste were mortal enemies, he would sooner give them to anyone else.
Israel could finally look forward to watching Ste fail and be forced to admit defeat. The thought brought a triumphant smirk to his lips. This time, he would crush her arrogance and make her beg.
Aurora watched silently, neither objecting nor intervening.
Having gotten Ste''s agreement, satisfied Israel finally left. Skyler, who was still fuming and exhausted from worrying about Keen was
driven home by Jonathan,
After they left, Israel and Aurora exchanged a quick word with Jonathan and headed inside. Keen was still unconscious.
Seeing their strange expressions, Coleman asked, "What is it? Did something else happen?"
Aurora recounted the events that had just transpired.
Coleman frowned. "If Ste is protecting Joshua this fiercely, could she already know his true identity?"
"It''s hard to say," Aurora replied. "But one thing is certain: he won''t be easy for us to control. And..."
"And what?"
Aurora''s gaze deepened. "I suspect he might actually have feelings for Ste."
Israel immediately scoffed.
"Impossible! Why would he fall for a divorced single mother when he could have a goddess like you? The world is full of strange people but who would willingly sign up to be a stepfather to that little brat? Is he out of his mind?"
Coleman looked at Aurora. "Are you sure?"
"Seventy, eighty percent," she said.
His frown deepened. "With Joshua helping her getting those original shares from Ste will be much harder. Leonard is out ofmission, and Sellers alone might not be enough to handle Joshua."