Since they were all in the same boat, and they were all family, seeing Sellers'' confident demeanor, their anxieties began to subside.


    "Alright. If you''re this sure, we''ll trust you this time."


    "The Burton family can hold out for a year or two without a problem, but don''t make us wait too long. We don''t want to miss our chance to recover."


    Sellers replied with an air of calm assurance, "Don''t worry. Within three months, I guarantee you''ll see results."


    ...


    Ste had been in full vacation mode, almostpletely disconnected from work. It wasn''t until she returned that she learned about the crisis at The Burton Group.


    Staring at the news on her phone, Ste fell into a deep thought.


    "The Gardner Group... maliciously targeting The Burton Group?"


    Only a powerhouse like the Gardner family could take on a conglomerate like The Burton Group. But why would they? Why would the Gardners target the Burtons?


    Suddenly, Foreman''s words echoed in her mind.


    "Joshua isn''t just a simple bodyguard-he''s the head of the Gardner family!"


    Because of his past deception, Ste had been inclined to dismiss everything Foreman said. The idea of Joshua being the head of the Gardner family seemed like another lie, a desperate attempt to drive a wedge between them and make her fear Joshua. She had heard the rumors about the Gardner family and the ruthless tactics of its patriarch. She had even heard Skyler and Jonathan Williams discuss it on asion. Subconsciously, she refused to believe that Joshua could be the monster they described.


    As Ste was lost in thought, a soft knock sounded at her office door.


    "Come in," she said absently, assuming it was her secretary with a report.


    However, after the person entered, there was a prolonged silence. Finding it odd, Ste looked up and froze in surprise at the sight of her visitor.


    "Haynes?"


    ...


    At the Lerman estate, Simone hurriedly searched for Leonard, her anxiety evident in every step.


    "Brother, it''s terrible! Rachel''s disappeared!"


    Leonard had only recently returned from Aetheria and was distractedly gazing at a painting of a woman''s back hanging on the wall. He turned his head at Simone''s words.


    "What do you mean, disappeared?"


    "I haven''t had much time to... visit Racheltely, so I haven''t been to the ce where we''re keeping her," Simone said anxiously "But morning, went to check on her, and she was just gone!" ''


    Simone had recently been abroad for a fashion show. During that time, she had messaged Joshua, but he never replied. The silence had reignited her desire to torment Rachel, only to find her missing.


    Leonard''s eyes narrowed. "What did the guards say?"


    Simone asked nervously, "The guards are gone too. ording to the security footage, Rachel was taken two weeks ago... Brother, do you think Joshua rescued her?"


    "No," Leonard said. "If he wanted to save her, she never would have ended up in our hands in the first ce."


    "Then who could have taken her?" Simone asked. "Haynes?"


    Leonard thought for a moment. "Most likely Sellers."


    Simone was confused. "Sellers? Why would Sellers rescue Rachel?"


    After a long pause, Leonard finally answered. "You and Aurora used to be inseparable. She knows everything about Rachel. Andtely, Aurora and Sellers have be quite close. I imagine Aurora bas told him everything she knows. Thes Burton Group is currently taking a beating from The Gardner Group. They desperately need a way to turn the tables, and Rachel is the perfect pawn."


    Simone fumed. "Well, I guess that just shows how much of a big mouth Aurora really


    is!"