"Don''t waste your energy on people like him," Harold advised. "He''s just a


    distraction, a pest meant to throw you off track. The more you focus on him, the more you risk missing what really matters. That''s why Mr. Gardner didn''t focus on him, even though he knew Foreman was involved in thest incident. Besides, Ste will encounter many more people like Foreman in the future. Consider him a training exercise. If she can''t even handle him, then no amount of help from Mr. Gardner will allow her to go the distance."


    Jake considered this and realized Harold was right.


    "I''ve never seen Mr. Gardner so invested in someone," he mused. The previous one, Ms. Quinn, was strong enough on her own that she rarely needed anyone to worry about her.


    It seemed the old saying was true: the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Sometimes, being too strong meant you were on your own.


    The Burton Group, CEO''s Office.


    Sellers scanned thetest report with an air ofpleteposure.


    Sherman remarked, "Uncle, based on our observations, the stock for our medical division has actually risen instead of falling. It''s just as you said; no matter how aggressively Joshua tries to suppress us, he can''t touch an irreceable asset like this."


    Sellers, who had expected this oue, said contemptuously, "Theprehensive medicalwork my father built since he was a young man isn''t something Joshua can just tear down on a whim. No matter how smart or how rich he is, he can''t touch this sector."


    Of course, the Gardner family controlled many valuable mineral deposits. Even if the elder Mr. Burton were still in charge, he wouldn''t have been able to challenge them in that arena. They were in different fields, so a directparison was pointless.


    Sherman added, "The Gardner family is rich because of their vast mineral resources. It''s like fate itself is feeding them. But we Burtons aren''tcking either."


    The medical resources and connections the elder Mr. Burton had established in his youth were the envy of countless powerful families. The Burton family held patents to certain key pharmaceuticals. As long as they had those forms, the family would never fall.


    "Joshua has been burning money for two months straight," Sellers said. "I estimate he''s nearing his limit. Once


    this is over, it will be time to un


    with Ste She''s been riding high for far too long. By the way, I heard she paid a visit to the old man recently?"


    "That''s right," Sherman confirmed. "I figure she knows Joshua is gone and can''t help her anymore. She''s probably scared of us targeting her, so she ran to Grandpa toin first."


    Sellers scoffed. "That''s all she''s got. Without Joshua, Ste is nothing."


    As they were talking, a knock came at the door. Sellers'' assistant entered, his expression grim.


    "Mr. Burton, something''s wrong. I''ve just received termination notices from several


    of our medical partners and distribution channels."


    Sellers''s face fell. "Show me the list."


    The assistant handed over the documents.


    Sellers could afford to be


    nonchnt about fluctuations in the


    stock market. But the medical


    division was


    the Burton family


    lifeblood, their very foundation. If


    something went wrong there, the


    situation would be critical


    The more Sellers read, the darker his expression became.


    His voice seemed to be ground out from between his teeth. "What happened? Have you found the cause?"


    The assistant answered quietly, "...We''re still looking into it."


    Sherman couldn''t help but ask, "Is this the Gardner family''s doing?"