Ste stepped in front of Joshua and said to him, "Joshua, do you hear some kind of animal noise?"


    Given how long they had known each other, Joshua understood her meaning perfectly. He shot Israel a meaningful look and said with a smile, "Maybe someone''s dog got off its leash. Star, if a dog like that runs around loose, wouldn''t it deserve to be put down if someone beat it to death?"


    Israel was not an idiot; he knew they were insulting him indirectly. He pointed at Joshua and roared, "Who are you calling a dog?! Say that again, I dare you!"


    "We were talking about an animal, not you," Joshua said with a smile. "Why are you getting so worked up? Unless... your dog ran off and got beaten to death for biting people?"


    Israel, already short-tempered, couldn''t take Joshua''s tant mockery. He lunged forward and grabbed Joshua by the cor. "You son of a..."


    Before he could finish, the elevator dinged and the doors slid open.


    A crowd of smiling shareholders andpany executives stood waiting outside, eager to wee the "golden goose" who was about to deliver a massive deal to The Williams Group.


    However, when they saw the scene inside the elevator, they all froze.


    Israel was holding their benefactor by the cor, looking ready to throw a punch. Everyone''s hearts leaped into their throats.


    A few of Skyler''s supporters couldn''t help but scold him. "Israel, what are you doing?! Let go of Mr. Gardner right now!"


    Blinded by rage from Ste and Joshua''s tag-team insults, Israel hadn''t even noticed the elevator doors opening. Seeing so many eyes on him, he froze.


    "What are you all doing here?" he asked instinctively.


    One of the more hot-tempered shareholders, who had been dissatisfied with Israel for a long


    time, saw him not only failing t


    create value for thepany but


    also causing trouble time and again. His anger red.


    This shareholder was rted to the Williams family-the son of old Mr. Williams'' cousin-and had always been a staunch supporter. He hadn''t bailed even during The Williams Group''s toughest times. Both Nora and Skyler treated him with respect.


    Seeing Israel still gripping Joshua''s cor, the shareholder strode into the elevator and pped him hard across the face.


    "Israel, who gave you permission to be so insolent?!"


    Israel staggered back from the blow, his expression one of pure disbelief. He looked


    out at the crowd and realized that Skyler and Jonathan were there too. Both of their faces were grim.


    Skyler, feeling utterly humiliated, roared, "Israel, get out here now!"


    Seeing his father''s anger, Israel finally grasped the severity of the situation. He let


    go of Joshua and stumbled out of the elevator in disgrace.


    Ste and Joshua stepped out as well.


    Joshua looked at the various expressions on everyone''s faces and spoke slowly. "It seems Mr. Israel isn''t too keen on partnering with the Gardner family. In that case, I won''t force the issue. I''ll just find another partner."


    With that, Joshua turned to leave.


    The shareholders panicked and rushed to stop him.


    "Mr. Gardner, it''s a misunderstanding... aplete misunderstanding! We absolutely want to partner with you. Israel isn''t in his right mind. Please don''t take him seriously."