His words sent a wave of shock through the room. Everyone stared at Leonard, finding it hard to believe what they had just heard. The room was frozen in silence for a few seconds before Israel finally exploded. "Leonard, what is that supposed to mean? You''re going to ruin Aurora''s reputation and then just wash your hands of it?"


    Leonard barely lifted his gaze, his voice a low rasp. "Ruin her reputation? Mr. Israel, I think you''re mistaken. I wasn''t the one who spread those rumors. In fact, if I hadn''t sent people to stop those reporters and lock down the news that day, the situation would be far worse."


    "So you admit you failed!" Israel shot back. "Since you couldn''t handle it properly, you should be the one to see this through to the end for Aurora''s sake!"


    Israel''s logic was warped beyond belief. It was astounding that such words coulde from a highly educated man of his stature. Yet, no one in the Williams family reacted to his twisted reasoning, seemingly epting it as fact. It was clear they all believed it was Leonard''s duty to handle Aurora''s problems. To them, the powerful head of the Lerman family was no different than a devotedpdog.


    At this thought, Ste nced at Joshua. He was a peculiar man. He could go long periods without saying a word, but when he did speak, every word had a purpose. Even his seemingly crude attempts to sow discord always produced unexpected results.


    Ste wondered if he would continue to provoke Leonard now. Skyler and Jonathan had initially objected to Joshua''s presence, but Ste had insisted, using the excuse that she was afraid Leonard might "joke" with her by pointing a gun at her again. Given Leonard''s past actions, they couldn''t argue. Though Joshua had also joked" with Aurora he haunt brandished any weapons of physically harmed her. Ste had simply exined that he just had a big mouth. With Ste protecting him, the Williams family was powerless against Joshua. Besides, even if he weren''t present, Ste would just tell him everythingter, making his exclusion meaningless. Even Aurora showed no surprise at seeing him there.


    For now, Joshua remained silent, his gaze deeper than usual, lost in thought.


    Leonard spoke slowly. "I admit, I


    handled it poorly. But times have


    changed. As you all know, my position as family head is unstable. I''m a shadow of my former self. It''s only natural that can no longer pull the strings I used to, and Lmight fail at a thing or two."


    Leonard had always been so overbearing, so arrogantly inflexible. He''d never shown consideration for anyone except Aurora-not even the rest of the Williams family. So to hear such a vulnerable admission from him was inconceivable.


    Even Israel, who had been ready to shout again, was left speechless, frozen in ce.