Queenie spoke first. "Leonard? What are you doing over here, drinking all by your lonesome?"


    Leonard''s hand, holding the wine ss, paused for a fraction of a second. He barely nced up, his tone frosty. "Ladies. Can I help you?"


    Queenie froze. She had never heard Leonard speak to Aurora with such cold indifference.


    Aurora''s breath hitched, and her fingers instinctively curled into a fist. Though she had braced herself, his attitude still stung.


    Queenie quickly recovered, forcing a smile. "Oh, nothing really. We just haven''t seen you in a while and wanted to say hello."


    "Ms. Williams and I are nothing more than acquaintances now," Leonard said tly.


    "I prefer my solitude. There''s no need for either of you to go out of your way to greet me."


    Queenie''s eyes widened in shock, and the smile on Aurora''s face slowly vanished. He had said it so bluntly, leaving her with no dignity at all.


    As the two women stood there in stunned silence, Leonard added, "Was there anything else?"


    He was clearly dismissing them.


    Aurora managed a strained smile. "No, nothing. We won''t disturb you any longer." Queenie followed Aurora away, her expression one of utter disbelief. "Aurora, what was that all about? It''s like he''s apletely different person."


    "Maybe he really doesn''t want anything to do with me anymore," Aurora said quietly.


    "If he really wanted nothing to do with you, why would he have given you those shares?" Queenie argued. "He was obviously leaving the door open to see you again."


    Queenie thennded on a usible exnation. Don''t you think his coldness seemed a little... forced?d think he''s doing it on purpose to get your attention you''ve probably been spending too much time withmy uncletely, and he''s jealous."


    Aurora''s brow twitched. "You think so?"


    Queenie smiled. "He''s skipped so many events far more important than this one, but


    he chose toe tonight. Who else could he be here for but you?"


    Aurora let out a long sigh. "Whatever. It''s best to respect his wishes."


    "Don''t worry," Queenie said with a grin. "Even without Leonard, you still have my uncle." At that, she leaned in her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Speaking of which, my uncle said he has a very special gift for you tonight.


    Aurora''s curiosity was piqued. "What kind of gift?"


    A strange glint appeared in Queenie''s eyes. She smiled. "You''ll find out very soon, Aurora."


    Before long, it was time for the main event of the evening. Old Mrs. Cameron took the stage to thank her guests for celebrating with her.


    After some pleasantries, her tone shifted. "As I''m sure you all know, my granddaughter, Ste, returned to the Williams family not long ago. For many years, she was lost to us and suffered a great deal. We feel both heartache and a deep sense of debt toward her. Therefore, the Cameron family has decided to give my granddaughter, Ste, ten percent of the Cameron Group''s shares aspensation. It may not be much, but it is a token of our sincerity. And now, I would like to invite my dear granddaughter, Ste, to the stage."


    Apuse filled the hall as all eyes turned to Ste. Though the Camerons couldn''tpare to the Williamses, their willingness to part with shares for their


    granddaughter showed a genuine affection.