chapter1396

Though it was phrased as a question, her tone was one of absolute certainty.

It all made sense. After Simone's scheme, she had suspected that the true mastermind wasn't her, but Joshua. Simone lacked the cunning and foresight for such a plot. Someone had to have been manipulating her.

At first, she had suspected Leonard, thinking he was making a desperate play to save his family. But based on what happened that night, she had ruled him out. If not Leonard, then it had to be Joshua. She hadn't forgotten that Simone had chosen that 'gift' on Joshua's behalf.

Joshua raised an eyebrow. He didn't play dumb or try to deflect. Instead, he

admitted it outright.

"Yes, it was me."

Aurora stared into his eyes. "Why? Why are you targeting me? What did I ever do to you?"

Joshua countered with a question of his own. "What did Star ever do to your suitors? Why did they target her?"

A moment passed before the realization dawned on her.

"You're getting revenge for Stella?" A bitter, incredulous laugh escaped her, her voice trembling. "So, your plan is to make me go through everything that happened to Stella?"

"Something like that," Joshua said coolly.

Aurora's fists clenched, her voice rising uncontrollably. "On what grounds? What gives you the right to do this to me?! I never targeted Stella! Why are you blaming me for what they did?"

By the end, a note of raw vulnerability had crept into her voice.

"Why? Because you couldn't control your followers, allowing them to hurt Star time and time again?" Joshua's voice was devoid of emotion. "What they did had nothing to do with you, you say. And what I'm doing has nothing to do with Star. Isn't that fair? Your suitors can go after Star, but I can't go after you? When it's your turn, you feel wronged? When Star was suffering, why didn't your step up and defend her? I destroyed your Dawnlight project, something that had nothing to do with Star, yet she still came to compensate you on my behalf. When Star's hand and her Nocturne Stella project were destroyed, what did the Williams family do besides lament your

financial losses?"

"That's twisted logic!" Aurora shot back, incensed. "You're blaming the victim!"

"And? Do I look like someone who

cares about playing fair? Besides,

Ms. Williams, don't pretend you're pretend you're so innocent Maybe you didn't know.

what they were doing at first. But

later, when you found out, you didn't cut ties with them, did you?"

vel

Joshua gave her a dismissive glance. "If you're going to live by a 'business is business' philosophy, then you have to accept the consequences when you lose. You can't play the game of interests and then cry about feelings. You can't have it both ways."

Aurora enunciated each word with cold fury. "Joshua, you'll go to hell for this."

A faint, unconcerned smile touched Joshua's lips. "I don't mind. Not everyone wants to go to heaven."

Aurora flinched as if struck, her pupils dilating in shock. It took her a long moment to find her voice.

"So, you're determined to see this through to the end?"

"Not necessarily," Joshua replied. "Given that you haven't yet reached the point of no return, I can offer you a way out. If you agree, I promise that no matter what happens from now on, I will never target you again."

Aurora had once underestimated Joshua, but in this moment, she finally understood how dangerous he truly was. Leonard, Sellers, Joshua-none of the men who rose to lead their families were simple.