At the mention of Summer''s painting, the murderous glint in Leonard''s eyes


    softened slightly.


    He slowly lowered the gun, a cold smile touching his lips as he looked at Israel.


    "Since we''ve just signed the contract, and this is your first offense, I''ll let it slide this time.


    "Mr. Israel, I hope you won''t do anything foolish. Watch your step."


    With that, he turned to Aurora.


    "Let''s go get the painting."


    Aurora whispered, "Alright."


    After they left, the tension in the room finally broke.


    Coleman said to Israel, "Israel, Leonard is a lunatic. Why do you keep provoking him?


    "Even when he was in love with Aurora, he never treated us well. Do you think he''ll be any different now?"


    Israel, still shaken, finally regained hisposure.


    He knew in his heart that if he had said one more word, Leonard would have actually shot him.


    But despite knowing this, he refused to back down.


    "It''s because I hit a nerve! That''s why heshed out in a fit of pique!


    "And what do you mean, ''now''? You think he doesn''t love her anymore?


    "If he really didn''t love her, why would he want a painting of her back?!"


    Only then did everyone else remember that of all the gifts Leonard had given Aurora, he had only asked for the painting of her back.


    Coleman said, "Israel, you really went too far this time.


    "Leonard was never cheap with Aurora. The gifts he gave her were often worth hundreds of millions.


    "He''d sign off on deals worth billions for her without batting an eye.


    "How could he not be angry when you said that about him?"


    Israel''s expression stiffened, but he quickly covered it with bravado. "I just can''t stand his arrogance!


    "An illegitimate son, looking down on us? He should take a good look in the mirror and see if he''s even worthy!"


    Leonard, despite possessing the cunning of a man in power, was far too direct by nature. He never bothered to hide his likes and dislikes.


    He loved Aurora and would give her anything. Often, he would do things for her before she even had to ask.


    When he found out Ste had bullied Aurora, he had destroyed Ste''s hand and her career without hesitation.


    Though his actions against Ste were partly because he didn''t see her as a threat, he would have done the same to any other member of the Williams family  fo


    Leonard cared for no one but Aurora.


    Over the years, he had sent a great deal of business the Williams family''s way, but


    he rarely showed up in person, always sending his assistant instead.


    l.ne


    Skyler and Jonathan had a very poor impression of him, finding him, arrogant and disrespectful. He never gave them any face and had once called them hypocrites.


    Of course, with his status and power, Leonard had the capital to be arrogant.


    People could call him ruthless, cold-blooded, and unscrupulous in achieving his goals.


    But no one could deny his ability and skill.


    Jonathan said, "I''ve seen that painting in Aurora''s room. Is that really a picture of her back?"


    Israel scoffed, "Of course! Leonard supposedly spent a fortune to buy that painting at auction. When he found out Aurora liked it, he gave it to her immediately... He wants it back so he can stare at it and pine for her!"


    Jonathan''s brow furrowed.


    Sometimeter, Ste and Joshua returned from their walk in the garden.


    Seeing the Williams family gathered at the top of the stairs, with Leonard and Aurora nowhere in sight, Ste assumed Aurora had seen Leonard out.


    She asked, "Has Leonard left?"


    Before Skyler could answer, a low, raspy voice came from the direction of the staircase.