Jake looked at Joshua. "Forget Haynes; that schemer Foreman will undoubtedly do everything he can to obstruct Ms. Cameron, constantly whispering poison in her ear about you."


    Harold knew Jake''s concerns were valid. Foreman was incredibly insidious; even Joshua had been tricked by him, nearly dying in that fire. Ste felt a sense of gratitude towards Foreman and might be swayed by his deceptive words.


    Joshua''s expression, however, remained impassive.


    "Ste won''t," he said, his tone even. "She understands what matters most."


    Jake was still worried. "But..."


    Harold tugged at his arm. "Mr. Gardner said she won''t, so she won''t. Let''s go, Jake. Let Mr. Gardner get some rest."


    Jake hesitated, but ultimately left with Harold.


    Once they were outside, Jake demanded, "Harold, why did you stop me? My concerns are legitimate, aren''t they? Ste has known Foreman for so long and always considered him a friend. Even though he''s done plenty of shady things, he targeted Mr. Gardner, not her. Besides, she''s too soft-hearted. She''s not ruthless and decisive like Ms. Quinn, who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Mr. Gardner as an equal. If Mr. Gardner wasn''t propping Ste up like this, he wouldn''t be so exhausted that his headaches are ring up. Only Ms. Quinn can treat his condition..."


    Harold nced back at Joshua''s room and quickly cut Jake off.


    "Jake, that''s enough. It''s not our ce to question Mr. Gardner''s decisions, Ms. Quinn may be powerful, but that doesn''t mean she''s what he wants. Sometimes, being equals makes you partners, nor spouses. It''s two people who Complement each other that make a perfect match."


    Harold paused, looking at Jake. "Mr. Gardner is already strong enough. What does he need a woman whois his equal in every way for? To conquer the


    howe


    the world? Do you know why I stopped you? Because you can doubt Ste, but you should trust Mr. Gardner. He personally mentored her. If she wasn''t capable of standing on her own, he would never have left so confidently.


    "Do you think he actually wanted to leave? Of course not. But he had to. There are many reasons for his departure, but I believe he realized he couldn''t protect her up close forever. A fledgling that never leaves the eagle''s protection will never learn to soaronits own if he could, Mr. Gardner might have preferred to keep Ste in a greenhouse like a delicate flower. But her environment is too hostile. The moment that protection cracks, even a drop of rain could kill the flower.


    "But now, Ste has established a foothold in the Williams Group. She''s weathered many storms. She can handle the big picture now. Why can''t we have a little more faith in her?"


    Jake was stunned into silence.


    Harold patted his shoulder. "I know you''re worried about Mr. Gardner, but you need to trust him. Mr. Gardner''s judgment is never wrong."


    Hearing this, Jake realized he had been letting his anxiety get the better of him.


    He sighed. "It''s just that Foreman..... he''s so treacherous and always seems to be meddling."