He followed suit and reached out, their hands meeting in a brief, cordial shake.


    Just like that, the deal was sealed.


    For reasons she couldn’t quite exin, Wendy felt a strange sense of calm settle over her the moment their hands touched. The unease that had been gnawing at her earlier suddenly faded.


    Joseph offered a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Miss Shaws, I won’t let you down. After all, we share the same enemy.”


    Wendy pulled her hand back, her expression polite but distant. “In that case, show me you’re serious. What exactly do you have in mind?”


    Joseph didn’t seem fazed by her cool demeanor.


    His smile didn’t waver in the slightest.


    <b>“</b>Yourpany and Walton Corporation are directpetitors. That <b>gives </b>your side more credibility when speaking <b>out</b>”


    Wendy raised an eyebrow. “Goon”


    “It’s simple. Walton’s biggest weakness is its reputation. So, we pressure them from the outside, then strike from within. Once we hit both fronts… the rest will fall into ce.


    There was a


    a hint of calction in Joseph’s smile, one that didn’t go unnoticed.


    Wendy considered his approach carefully and found it surprisingly workable.


    “All <b>right</b>. If you need <b>my </b>help, just ask.”


    Hearing the nid out, she <b>found </b>herself agreeing with Joseph’s strategy.


    Internally, Wendy let out a cold <bugh</b>..


    She hadn’t expected this many people out there to hate Aurora


    Clearly, that woman hadn’t made herself very likable.


    Otherwise, why would so many be eager to take her down?


    <b>“</b>There actually is something,” Joseph said as he stepped closer to her.


    Wendy immediately frowned at his proximity. “What are you doing? If you want to talk, do it from over there.”


    She watched him warily as he stood up.


    No matter how useful he seemed, he <b>was </b>still Aurora’s ex


    If he tried anything, she’d <b>have </b>a hard time exining it to Lucas


    Seeing Wendy’s reaction, Joseph raised <b>a </b>brow and let out a helpless chuckle. “You still don’t trust me. But now that we’re partners, shouldn’t <b>we </b>haveplete trust in each other?”


    “It’s just the beginning,” Wendy snorted. “Isn’t it perfectly normal that I don’t trust you yet?”


    “You can’t expect me to ce full faith in someone I’ve just met.”


    Joseph spread his hands with a rxed expression “Fair enough. You’ve got a point.”


    “I was only going to suggest that yourpany <b>release </b>a press stagement and then..”


    Wendy’s eyes lit up. “Alright, let’s do it your way”


    And just like that, the two reached an agreement.


    Meanwhile, Aurora remained unaware of any of this.


    She was still thinking about how to deal with Joseph if he came back


    She couldn’t afford to keep reacting passively he was starting to interfere with thepany’s progress.


    She was here to work, not to run a charity. That much was clear–to her and to Grace.


    There was no reason to keep entangling herself with Joseph.


    The best strategy now would be to take him down in one move.


    Even on her way home that evening, Aurora was still turning it over in her mind.


    Dozens of ideas crossed her thoughts, but none seemed practical enough


    Frustration simmered beneath her calm exterior, and she wasn’t paying attention when she stepped through the door, only to walk straight into someoneing out from inside.


    With a loud “thud,” Aurora crashed right into the person’s chest.


    +25 <b>BONUS </b>