"I didn''t know about this, either."


    The exnation seemed a bit weak.


    However, the hallway fell strangely silent.


    Under normal circumstances, an event like this would have sparked a war of words, but today, no one uttered a single question.


    Israel Williams shot Violet Yancey a cold, warning re, his mind clearly elsewhere.


    Coleman Williams, meanwhile, stared intently at the ''In Progress'' sign above the operating room door, his attention seeminglypletely diverted.


    Aurora Williams felt a chill creep into her heart.


    She could understand Israel''s behavior, but why was Coleman silent?


    It was only then that Aurora was struck by the realization that Coleman had changed in ways she hadn''t noticed.


    The atmosphere in the corridor grew heavy and somber.


    After what felt like an eternity, the light above the operating room door went out.


    Everyone''s gaze snapped to the door.


    A momentter, the doctor emerged.


    Skyler Williams immediately rushed forward. "Doctor, how is Jonathan Williams... How is Jonathan now?"


    The doctor removed his mask, his expression grave.


    "We''ve managed to save him for now, but due to the severe trauma to his brain, it''s unlikely he''ll wake up anytime soon..."


    The doctor''s words were tactful, but everyone present understood the implication: Jonathan was likely to be in a vegetative state.


    The blow seemed too much for Skyler to bear. He staggered back a few steps.


    Coleman and Aurora quickly steadied him, but before they could say anything, Skyler''s eyes rolled back and he fainted.


    ***


    Meanwhile, Jake finished cleaning up all traces of the incident and met up with Harold.


    Harold asked, "Are you sure there are no loose ends?"


    Jake nodded, then hesitated for a moment. "Mr. Gardner... why did he suddenly go


    after Jonathan? I thought he always held back out of consideration for Ms. Cameron, to avoid making things too difficult for her with thepany''s shareholders."


    A flicker of worry crossed Harold''s eyes, but he quickly concealed it.


    "Dealing with Jonathan is the most permanent solution," Harold said. "Right now, he''s the only one in The Williams Group who can truly challenge Ms. Cameron. As the heir apparent and having managed the


    group for years, hemands a great dent of respect. If he''s out of


    deal


    the picture, Coleman, Israel, and


    Aurora are no threat.


    ???


    Penel


    "Once Ms. Cameron acquires Leonard Lerman''s shares, Jonathan''s position as heir is essentially finished. Therefore, would never let Ste get her hands on those shares This recent fire was their doing. I heard that to secure more support, Jonathan was also nning an alliance with the Chapman family through marriage.


    "If Jonathan had sessfully allied with the Chapmans, especially given Aurora''s rtionship with McCoy Chapman, the Chapmans would have thrown their full support behind him. Even with Leonard''s shares. Ste''s path to power would have...” been incredibly difficult. And during that time, Jonathan would have undoubtedlye up with other ways to deal with her.


    "Rather than let that happen, it''s better to ensure he can''t cause any more trouble. With him in aa from a car ident, he can''t marry into the Chapman family, he can''t move against Ste, and he can''t fight her for control of The Williams Group. Plus, Mr. Gardner gets his revenge. It solves four problems at once."


    Jake said, "But it''s too risky. What if... and I''m just saying, what if Jonathan had been killed outright? That would have changed everything."


    Harold was, of course, aware of the risks.


    The variables in staging an ident were immense. One small miscalction could have resulted in the target''s death, bringing all their ns crashing down.


    Harold remembered asking Joshua Gardner a short while ago what would happen if Jonathan identally died.