Joshua, of course, knew what Harold was thinking.


    He walked to the window, gazing at the endless night outside. "A man like me... since I can''t give her a future, why would I trifle with her feelings?"


    Harold was stunned. So, the reason he had held back from confessing was because... he didn''t think he had long to live? An indescribable sadness washed over Harold. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. This was the predetermined fate of the Gardners at birth, a destiny no one had yet managed to break.


    He finally understood. Joshua had stayed by Ste''s side as a bodyguard and never confessed the truth about Rachel Pearce, not because he feared she wouldn''t forgive him, but because he didn''t have time to waste. His goal was to eliminate every obstacle in Ste''s path while he was still alive and capable, ensuring her future would be smoother. For him, creating that future for her was far more important. Whether he earned her forgiveness before he died seemed to be a secondary concern.


    Harold felt small for getting caught up in romantic trifles. He thought Joshua had changed, but he hadn''t. He was still the same as always, never thinking of himself.


    "So, why did youe looking for me?" Joshua asked.


    "The paintings and the other items you arranged have been delivered to Ms. Cameron''s private vault in Solmaris. They''re ready to be handed over at the appropriate time," Harold reported. "There''s one other thing..." He wore a helpless expression. "Sellers Burton is just too cautious. After he and Israel Williams both took a major hit, finding leverage on him has be even more difficult. Mr. Gardner, we... we can''t think of a better way."


    Joshua''s expression remained cid. "Leonard has weaknesses. Sellers has very few. It''s normal that he''s difficult to deal with."


    Seeing Joshua''sposure, Harold began to feel more confident. "Mr. Gardner, have you thought of a better strategy?"


    "My identity probably can''t stay hidden for much longer," Joshua


    said. "The Williams family and


    Sellers wont,


    this go after such a


    huge loss. The only way they cane after me now is probably through my identity. In that case..." Joshua''s tone was indifferent. "Let''s do this out in the open."


    Harold didn''t understand. "Out in the open? How?"


    "We''ll steal The Burton Group''s contracts directly. My family have plenty of things,


    but money is what we have most of."


    Harold''s eyes lit up. It was an excellent idea. Joshua''s mind worked incredibly fast. His methods for dealing with his enemies were varied but always aimed for a fatal blow. F?r Leonard was simple and brutal: cut off his hand. For Israel, a clever bait-and-switch that caused the Williams family a double loss. And for Sellers... just bury him in money and snatch his business.


    Harold had been struggling to find leverage on Sellers precisely because he was wary of Mr. Burton''s connection.


    After all, Mr. Burton had once saved Joshua. He couldn''t treat Sellers with the same brutality as Leonard or the same deception as Israel.


    This overt scheme was a perfect solution, preserving the rtionship between Mr. Burton and Ste. If Sellers couldn''tpete, that was his own failing.


    Even Mr. Burton couldn''tin; this was just how business worked.


    This move wouldn''t bankrupt The


    Burton Group, but it would leave it


    severely wounded. A crippled


    Leonard and badly wounded


    Sellers... Aurora Williams would


    probably have a hard time choosing.