chapter1248

"Just because of a few unflattering photos? Surely not," his nephew, Sherman Burton, said skeptically.

"The photos themselves aren't the final nail in the coffin," Sellers replied coolly. "But think about the pattern. First, The Lerman Group's stock plummets after that disastrous livestream. Then, Lerman Manor is destroyed, and his shipments are hijacked. Now, he's sinking deeper and deeper... Do you see any sign of a comeback?"

Sherman fell silent. Anyone with a bit of sense could see that Leonard was in serious trouble. He studied his uncle's expression and asked cautiously, "Uncle, how did Leonard get into such a mess? Who do you think is behind all this?" Sellers's eyes were dark and knowing. "It's simple. Pinpoint the moment his troubles began, and you'll find the person responsible."

Sherman thought back, and his face suddenly paled. "Stella? That's impossible. How could she have the power to take down Leonard?"

"She doesn't," Sellers said coldly. "But the person behind her does."

Sherman thought of Joshua, feeling even more bewildered. "Uncle, are you saying Joshua is helping her? But why? Is it possible he's actually interested in her?" Sherman found the idea laughable. "No way. A divorced woman with a child? Please. Besides her looks, how could she possibly compare to Aurora?" "His true motive in helping Stella take down Leonard is likely the Lerman family itself," Sellers theorized. "I've been thinking about it. The conflict between Stella and Leonard only escalated after Joshua appeared. He probably fanned the flames himself. It's far easier for him to control Stella than it would be to control Aurora."

Sellers and Sherman analyzed Joshua's motives, both convinced that he had a hidden agenda.

Sherman glanced at his uncle. "With Joshua in the picture, going after Stella won't be easy," he said quietly. "Maybe... we should just let it go?"

"Let it go?" Sellers's eyes flashed with cold fury. "After Foreman held me captive for so long, after he tortured me until I was broken, you want me to just *let it go*?"

"But... Foreman was the one who kidnapped you, Uncle, not Stella," Sherman argued. "And taking down Foreman wouldn't be that difficult for us."

Sellers exploded. "If Stella hadn't ordered him, why would Foreman, a man I have no quarrel with, kidnap me?!"

The Burtons' medical expertise was unparalleled. Though Sellers's injuries had been severe, he had mostly recovered. But the

al

psychological scars remained Every time he remembered his humiliation, he was consumed by a desire to tear Stella and Foreman to shreds.

Seeing his uncle's loss of control, Sherman quickly fell silent. But a deep sense of foreboding settled over him. If they continued to antagonize Stella, would the Burton family end up like Leonard?

Besides, there was something

unnerving about Stella. Even before

Joshua's intervention, people like

Rachel and Haynes O'Brien had failed to get the upper hand with her. Was it really wise to make her continued enemy?

Back at Stella's office at The Williams Group, she had just received official notice. The probationary period for her and Aurora was being cut short; they were both being offered positions within the company. Stella knew this wasn't about acknowledging her abilities. It was a move by the Williams men to bring her under their control.

But she wasn't afraid. She hadn't returned to the Williams family for a warm reunion.

Shortly after the announcement, there was a knock on her door. It was Zane Vance, one of Nora's staunchest supporters on the board of directors. Latest content published on find(?)ovel.net

Zane was one of the original executives who had stood by Nora's side and had been one of the most vocal opponents of Aurora joining the company.