Hearing Joshua put it that way, Ste had to agree that Leonard''s behavior was indeed odd. He was still the same cold, menacing man, but something felt different. She mulled it over but couldn''t put her finger on it.


    "He''s extremely dangerous," Joshua said. "Until I''ve recovered, it''s best to avoid him. We can deal with him after I''m back on my feet."


    Ste wholeheartedly agreed. "Okay."


    ***


    Israel was still waiting anxiously for any word from Aurora at the Williams Estate.


    He had thought the scandal would die down after a few days, but the story had not only maintained its heat, it had gone viral. Gossip-mongers all over the world were now discussing his affair. Everywhere he went, he was met with stares. Even the employees at the Williams Group looked at him strangely. Protesters had even shown up outside his office building with banners, demanding justice against a wless degenerate."


    Although the protest had been dealt with, Skyler and Jonathan had told him to stay away from the office for a while. Israel was fuming.


    Seeing Aurora return from Leonard''s, he rushed over. "Aurora, any news?"


    "He said Ste has her hidden away," Aurora replied.


    Israel''s fists clenched. "I knew it was her!"


    Neither of them was surprised that Ste was the mastermind. What Israel cared about was whether Violet could be silenced.


    "Did Leonard say when he''d handle it?" he demanded. "The Williams Group''s stock is dropping. If this isn''t resolved soon, those old board members might use this as an excuse to oust me from my position."


    Even without his position, he still held shares in thepany. But losing his title would halt his career progression, prevent him from


    eventually render him po het


    building his power base, and


    in


    Corporate decisions. Combined with Ste''s hostile takeover of his ownpany, he would bepletely out of the game.


    "Leonard said he hasn''t found Violet yet," Aurora reported.


    "Then he needs to use his methods!" Israel burst out. "Doesn''t he haveza hundred ways to do things if he has to he can kidnap Ste again hikest time and force her to hand the woman over-"


    "Israel, don''t be ridiculous!" a cold voice cut him off.


    Coleman, just returned from outside, was frowning at him. Aurora also looked at


    him with disapproval.


    Israel took a deep breath. "The


    public opinion out there is killing us.


    If this continues, our family''s


    reputation will be ruined. All of you will be affected by this Fine, can''t touch Ste. But we can touch Violet, can''t we? Leonard is usually so decisive. Why is he dragging his feet now?"


    Coleman looked at Aurora. Even if Leonard couldn''t touch Ste or find Violet, his usual methods would never have allowed public opinion to run wild like this without any intervention.


    "Aurora," Coleman asked, "what has Leonard been busy withtely? Was he really that affected by his loss of status?"


    Aurora nced at her bandaged finger and frowned. "Leonard has been acting very strangely..."


    She recounted her recent visit to him.


    Israel and Coleman exchanged baffled looks.


    "What the hell?" Israel eximed. "I always said Leonard has his methods, and


    he knows exactly how to humiliate people. Is this some new form of psychological torture designed just for Aurora?"


    Coleman couldn''t decipher Leonard''s intentions either. He could only ask Aurora. "Aurora, do you think... he''s deliberately retaliating against you?"