chapter1524

After all, a top-tier conglomerate wouldn't collapse over the loss of a few billion. But the Gardner family was a different story. They were fully capable of fighting to the bitter end.

Understanding this, Sherman's anger flared, and he gritted his teeth. "He started planning this six months ago? It seems Joshua never intended to spare the Burton family... Grandfather saved a complete viper. If he hadn't saved that menace, our family wouldn't be suffering such a huge loss." Sherman grew more agitated the more he thought about it. "No, I have to go talk to Grandfather about this!"

Just as Sherman was about to leave, Sellers' phone rang again. Seeing the caller ID, Sellers' eyes darkened. He stopped Sherman. "Wait."

Sherman paused. Sellers answered the call and put it on speaker.

"Joshua?"

Joshua's nonchalant voice came through the receiver. "What an honor. I'm surprised Mr. Burton still remembers my number."

Sellers' voice was flat, betraying no emotion. "Mr. Gardner, you didn't call just to negotiate terms, did you?"

"Star and Mr. Burton have a good relationship, and Mr. Burton did save me," Joshua said. "Neither of us wants this to turn into an all-out war with the Burton family. I'm making this call out of respect for him. As long as you step down from your position, the grudge between you and Star can be wiped clean. This is between you and her, so why drag your entire family down as collateral, wouldn't you agree?"

Sellers' voice was heavy. "Since you know Mr. Burton saved you, are you still planning to move against the Burton family? Is this how you repay an act of kindness?"

"Don't try to guilt-trip me," Joshua said. "I have plenty of things in this world, but a conscience isn't one of them."

Sellers tried a different angle. "Joshua, as I recall, you and I don't have any major conflict. I wasn't the one who kidnapped Stella. It's unreasonable for you to hold a grudge against me for that incident."

Sellers' words sounded like a concession, an easy way to make someone lower their guard. Even Sherman, standing nearby, couldn't help but glance at him. But Sherman knew that while Sellers might talk this way, his actions would be utterly ruthless.

Joshua, however, wasn't buying it. "You weren't the one who grabbed her, but you were there, weren't you? By not stopping Leonard, you condoned his actions, making you an accomplice. When an avalanche happens, no single snowflake is innocent I made it very clear when caffed you all. If Star is harmed, I will return the favor a hundredfold. You have only yourself to blame for not protecting her back then."

Before Sellers could say anything, Joshua's cool, watery voice sounded again. "Of course, even if you were innocent, by helping Aurora against Star, you made yourself my enemy. Anyone who dares to stand in opposition to Star is my foe and must be eliminated."

The line went silent for a few

seconds. Not just Sherman, but even Sellers was taken aback. How could Joshua so casually deliver such an unhinged villainous speech His moral compass wasn't just skewed; it was completely shattered. A textbook villain monologue.

Sellers considered himself no saint, but compared to Joshua, he felt like an amateur.

Sellers laughed, a sound laced with fury. "Joshua, is this ingratitude how you treat the man who saved your life?"

"The person who saved me was Mr. Burton, not you, Mr. Sellers," Joshua replied. "And even if you had saved my life, if your interests conflicted with Star's, I would eliminate you without a moment's hesitation. What can I say? A savior isn't as important as she is. This world doesn't offer perfect, have-it-all solutions. If a person is too greedy, they end up with nothing.