Joshua asked with a smile, "Ms. Williams, are you sure... you still want to talk to me?"


    Images of theirst few unpleasant encounters shed through Aurora''s mind.


    Her smile remained unchanged. "Perhaps there have been some misunderstandings between us. I''d still like to clear them up."


    Joshua nced at his watch. "I''m sorry, I have other things to do. I''m afraid I don''t have time today."


    Aurora seemed to have anticipated this and showed no sign of displeasure.


    "Then when will you be free, Mr. Gardner?"


    Joshua pretended to think for a few seconds. "I''m not quite sure when I''ll be free."


    It was obvious he had no intention of talking to her.


    Aurora was about to say something else when the elevator doors slowly opened.


    Joshua stepped inside.


    Aurora followed him in.


    She seemed determined to try again. "Mr. Gardner, I was wondering if what you said before still stands."


    Joshua nced at her. "I''ve said many things. I''m not sure which one you''re referring to, Ms. Williams."


    Her voice was soft. "You said that if I left The Williams Group, you wouldn''t target the Williams family or me anymore."


    Joshua gave her a half-smile. "Ms. Williams, you''re not trying to trick me into talking so you can record it again, are you?"


    Aurora''s smile froze for a few seconds.


    She had met all sorts of men, but she had never encountered one like Joshua, who waspletely impervious to both hard and soft tactics.


    Last time, in her rush to expose his true identity, she had burned her bridges, leaving herself no way out.


    And now...


    Aurora''s longshes lowered.


    It was unlikely Joshua would ever trust her easily again.


    Aurora said quietly, "Joshua, if I''m willing to leave The Williams Group, can you... stop targeting me and my three brothers? We''re all family with Star. There''s no need for this to be a life-or-death struggle."


    Joshua watched the floor numbers descend. "First, given your personality, Ms. Williams, I doubt you''d leave The Williams Group that easily. Second..."


    He looked at her and curved his lips into a smile.


    "My offer was only valid at that time. It has since expired."


    But Aurora pressed on, unwilling to give up. "Then what are your terms now?"


    Joshua actually gave it some


    serious thought. "I hear your mother came from a fishing vige. If you quit thepany now, leave the Williams family and go back to live in that vige, we consider the matter between you and Star settled. How does that sound?"


    Aurora couldn''t smile anymore.


    As a top socialite, Aurora had heard plenty of praise, but she''d also been subjected to a great deal of malice She had overheard other heiresses ndering and cursing her behind her back. Some had even called her a bitch Aurora had alwaysughed it off, paying it no mind. The more vicious their words, the more it proved their jealousy. It was just the impotent rage of the ipetent.


    Aurora had always been strong-willed But she had to admit, every time she faced Joshua, he had a way of wiping the smile off her face. He never cursed at her, and his words weren''t particrly harsh. And yet, Joshua could always pinpoint the exact source of her pain, leaving her gritting her teeth in frustration.


    The elevator slowly reached the ground floor, and Joshua stepped out and walked


    away.


    Aurora watched his retreating back, a cold, dark glint in her eyes.


    ***


    At the Williams residence, night had fallen outside.


    Ste was reviewing work documents in her study when there was a soft knock on


    the door.


    A woman''s gentle voice came from outside. "Star, it''s me."


    Ste recognized Aurora''s voice.