"I received a gift today," Aurora said. "Simone, was it from you?"


    "No, it was from Joshua," Simone replied coolly. "He said he felt bad about crashing your Dawnlight and wanted to get you something to make up for it, so he asked me what you liked."


    Aurora''s heart sank. First, Joshua drove a wedge between her and Leonard, and now he was turning Simone against her. But she knew that no matter how she tried to exin, Simone wouldn''t believe her.


    Taking a quiet breath, Aurora began, "Simone..."


    But Simone cut her off. "Aurora, I think there are some things we can''t discuss over the phone. We need to meet and talk in person."


    That was exactly what Aurora wanted. Even with the Lerman family''s decline, Simone was still a close friend who knew many of her secrets. Aurora had no intention of cutting her off. "Alright," she said. "When are you free?"


    Simone suggested a time and ce, and they hung up. Afterward, Simone drove to Leonard''s home. He still lived in the apartment across from The Williams Group headquarters, a constant, obsessive vigil over Aurora. And after Aurora had sent him all those gifts, Leonard was probably more devoted to her than ever.


    Though Simone had always disapproved of Leonard''s feelings for Aurora, right now she desperately wanted them to be together. It would keep Aurora from pursuing other men. Besides, if Leonard and Aurora were a couple, Joshua-who imed to care about her feelings would surely keep his distance.


    Leonard was surprised to see her. "What are you doing here?"


    Before Aurora entered their lives, Simone had been the closest person to him. She knew she couldn''t help him much; in fact, she was often a burden She depended on himpletely, able to offer little in return, not even emotional support-it was usually Leonardforting her. He was good to her, but there was always a distance. between them. She didn''t really understand him, only that he had an extraordinary passion for painting, which he had given up for Aurora in his quest to be head of the family. After he seeded, her life had improved dramatically.


    "I just came to see what you''ve been up to," Simone said as she stepped inside.


    The moment she entered the room, she was stunned by the artwork disyed on the walls. "Brother, this is..."


    The walls were covered entirely with paintings by Summer. Previously, Leonard''s collection had included works by other artists including. several of Aurora''s own paintings. Now, every single piece in his home was by Summer.


    "I moved all of Summer''s paintings here," Leonard exined.


    Simone was still reeling from the shock when a notification chimed from theptop on his desk. Leonard, who had been about to pour hot a ss of water stopped and walked over to theputer to check his email.


    Seeing him prioritize an email over finishing a simple courtesy, she asked, "Brother, are you working again?"


    The Lerman Group was a mature corporation; it wouldn''t stop functioning just because Leonard had been dismissed. In a way, a break might do him good after all these years.


    "No," he replied, typing a response.


    Simone assumed it was something rted to Aurora, but when she walked over to his side, she was surprised to see it had nothing to do with her.