"Yes," Jonathan said. "Israel has several broken ribs. Sherman''s condition is even worse. They say his leg was broken, and he lost a few teeth."


    Jonathan hesitated for a moment before adding, "The attackers were ruthless. I heard Sherman was almost... emascted. He nearly lost his manhood....."


    It took Ste a long moment to process the news.


    She finally understood why Jonathan had called to ask if she was responsible.


    She had a terrible rtionship with both of them.


    With them both being attacked at the same time, she was naturally the prime suspect.


    Just as Ste was about to ask more, she heard Jonathan''s assistant in the background.


    "Mr. Williams, we''ve identified the people who attacked the second young master. It was... it was..."


    The assistant suddenly became hesitant.


    Jonathan frowned. "What is it? Is there someone in Solmaris the Williams family can''t afford to offend?"


    The assistant took a deep breath. "It seems... it seems it was Leonard''s men."


    An awkward, heavy silence fell.


    Jonathan had considered Ste, Joshua, even Violet Yancey, or one of Israel''s many enemies.


    But he never would have imagined it would be Leonard.


    He thought he must have misheard. "Who did you say?"


    The assistant stammered, "Leo... Leonard..."


    It wasn''t surprising that Leonard was capable of such a thing.


    But why would Leonard attack Israel?


    Even for Aurora''s sake, it made no sense for him to go after Israel.


    Desperate for answers, Jonathan quickly said to Ste, "I''ll talk to youter," and hung up.


    He immediately dialed Leonard''s number. "Leonard, did you have Israel beaten up?"


    At that moment, Leonard was standing before the painting of the woman''s back, studying the figure.


    Perhaps it was just his imagination, but he thought the back in the painting looked a bit like Ste.


    When Jonathan''s call came through, Leonard answered distractedly. "Mr. Williams, we agreed that from now on, the affairs of the Williams family have nothing to do with me.


    Please stop harassing me with your calls."


    Jonathan was furious. "Leonard, I have proof that you sent people to attack Israel!


    We agreed we owed each other


    nothing, but we never agreed you could just attack members of the


    Wims family whenever you please!"


    To this, Leonard offered a single word in response.


    "Oh."


    Jonathan felt like the world had gone mad.


    the


    "Leonard, did you or did you not send people to beat up Israel?"


    Leonard''s gaze remained fixed on the painting.


    His mind was elsewhere, wondering, "Ste used to be a violinist. Could this back... be hers?"


    He replied nonchntly, "Probably."


    "What do you mean, ''probably''?"


    Jonathan demanded furiously.


    "Leonard, I''m telling you, if you don''t


    give me an exnation today, the


    Williams family will absolutely


    not @#2&"


    Jonathan''s voice devolved into a string of irritating noise in Leonard''s ears.


    He was starting to get annoyed again.


    First Sherman, now Jonathan-calling him up like he owed them money or something.


    Leonard''s mind wasn''t on the matter at all, but as tonathan droned on he offered a careless excuse just to, shut him up.


    "Sherman asked me to arrange it. If you have a problem, take it up with him."


    Jonathan was stunned.


    Sherman asked Leonard to do it? Why would Sherman want to attack Israel?


    Initially, he had assumed the same person was behind both Sherman''s and Israel''s injuries.


    But now, it seemed there was more to the story.


    Could Sherman''s severe injuries be retaliation from Israel after he found out who was responsible?


    What was going on between Israel and Sherman?


    When had they suddenly be enemies?


    Countless questions flooded Jonathan''s mind.


    Before he could ask anything else, Leonard had already hung up.


    Leonard had no idea what a storm his casual remark had just unleashed.