The Burton and Williams families nearly fractured their alliance over the incident.


    If it hadn''t been for Aurora constantly mediating, the two families would have be sworn enemies.


    When Jonathan heard that Sherman had arranged it, he naturally went to question him.


    But Sherman was unconscious from his severe injuries and didn''t wake up for several days.


    When Israel heard Sherman was behind it, he was first in disbelief, then he exploded like a firecracker.


    "What? It was Sherman? That hypocrite!


    He must have been acting on Ste''s orders! That''s why he came after me!


    I remember Sherman and Ste had a thing, didn''t they?


    He must be a mole, pretending to be close to Aurora while feeding information to Ste!"


    Lying in his hospital bed, bruised and swollen, Israel grew angrier the more he spoke.


    "No, I have to go see Sherman myself. I need to teach him a lesson!"


    As Aurora listened to Jonathan''s ount, she frowned slightly.


    "Brother, is that really what Leonard said?"


    "Do I look like a liar?" Jonathan retorted.


    Jonathan wasn''t the type to lie, and neither was Leonard.


    The Williams family knew that while Leonard was ruthless, he rarely lied.


    Aurora said, "Sherman is still in critical condition. Let''s wait until he wakes up before we ask him.


    I feel like there''s been some kind of misunderstanding.


    Why would Sherman attack our brother for no reason?


    It just doesn''t make sense."


    Israel didn''t care about logic. "He''s been bewitched by Ste!


    He spent a whole night in a room with her back then. Who knows what they did?


    Ste might be useless, but that face of hers is more than enough to attract shallow men like Sherman.


    Don''t be fooled just because she''s married and has a kid now. Her poprity in our circles isn''t that much lower than Aurora''s.


    Almost every divorced or widowed man I know has asked me about Ste.


    Even some unmarried guys are willing to ept her, divorce and kid included.


    I heard she does all that nanny and housewife stuff, and instead of being ashamed, they''re proud of it.


    They say Ste is a woman who can


    They praise her to the heavens.


    What''s wrong with people these days?


    Ignoring unmarried goddesses and fawning over used goods?


    What terrible taste!


    I bet Sherman is one of them!


    Maybe Sellers''s n to trap Ste failed because Sherman was the one who secretly tipped her off."


    Israel rambled on, but the gist of it was clear: Sherman was infatuated with Ste had long since switched his allegiance, and was acting as a spy by Aurora''s side.


    Listening to Israel''s wild usations, even Aurora began to have her doubts about Sherman.


    It wasn''t until a few dayster,


    Sherman finally regained


    Qu


    consciousness, that he heard about


    the situation and almostughed in disbelief


    He exined the whole story, from beginning to end.


    Everyone stared at each other.


    They had considered the possibility that Sherman was lying or that Israel exaggerating.


    But no one had ever imagined that Leonard would be the one to lie.


    Sellers''s face darkened. "Aurora, call Leonard right now and ask him what he thinks he''s doing."


    Aurora had tried to contact Leonard several times over the past few days, but her calls always went unanswered.


    She nced at the grim faces around her and dialed his number.


    Surprisingly, this time, someone picked up.


    Leonard''s emotionless voice came through. "What is it?"


    Aurora spoke softly, "Leonard, Sherman is awake. He said he never asked you to hurt Israel.


    Did you perhaps... mishear him?"


    Leonard''s voice remainedpletely t.


    "Oh. Then I guess I misheard."


    Aurora was stunned, speechless for a long moment.


    "Leonard, what... what did you just say?"