"If you bring up the idea of breaking up again, I''m going to get angry."


    When Joshua wasn''t smiling, his features appeared sharp and cold, a stark contrast to his usual sunny demeanor, and the aura around him turned fiercely intimidating.


    In all the time they had known each other, aside from the time he found out Leonard had been chatting with her for half a year, Joshua had almost never given her a cold look.


    Normally, he never even argued with her.


    Whenever there was even the slightest friction between them, he would always be the first to apologize andpromise.


    Now, seeing his face visibly darken because she had repeatedly suggested they part ways, Ste felt her breath catch in her throat.


    This time, however, she didn''t show any softness. Instead, she turned to head upstairs.


    Joshua grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.


    His voice softened. "Star, we''ll figure something out. Look at me, I''m perfectly fine right now, aren''t I?"


    Ste had made up her mind and didn''t want to drag things out any longer.


    Her voice carried no emotion. "You''ve been through so much; you must have seen plenty of human ugliness.


    I''m just a regr person, really. I''m not that noble.


    If I were truly noble, I wouldn''t have epted Leonard''s shares.


    I chose to be with you primarily because you helped me a lot, and I had no other way to repay you.


    Secondly, because being with you meant I''d get even more of your undivided support.


    Of course, I don''t deny that I do have feelings for you.


    But those feelings are nothingpared to my career and my child.


    You saidst time that I give you too little of my affection... It''s true. I have family, friends, and so many people I care about.


    The amount of attention I can spare for you isn''t even a tenth of what I have to give."


    At that, Ste gently pushed him away and looked up at him, her clear eyes reflecting his face.


    "After going through a failed marriage, I stopped putting romance first a long time ago.


    Every decision I make is a calcted choice after weighing the pros and cons.


    Right now, I hold the power in The Williams Group, and the shareholders back me up.


    Once Leonard''s shares are unfrozen, I can secure the position as the head of the family, and no one will be able to shake my standing.


    You can call me selfish or say I''m burning bridges.


    But the truth is, I really don''t need you that much anymore."


    A heavy silence fell over the room.


    yer


    Ste knew that no matter how strong Joshua''s psychological defenses were, hearing such heart wrenching words couldn''t possibly leave him unaffected.


    Sure enough, he remained silent for a long, long time.


    Ste steeled her heart and was just about to turn away when his voice sounded behind her.


    "Star, there are still so many ways I can help you."


    Ste''s footsteps faltered.


    Joshua continued, "Once you take


    over Leonard''s shares, Hand


    won''t just let it go. The Lerman


    family''s situation isplicated Even Leonard struggles to


    Star, he can''t protect you."


    A tidal wave of emotion surged in Ste''s chest, and she couldn''t help but look back


    at him.


    "What I''m saying is, my use for you outweighs my feelings..."


    Before she could finish, his low, steady voice cut through.


    "Star, I


    now.


    the dayes


    truly can''t offer you any


    Can you throw me awa


    me away then?"