The financier, who''d originally nned to join the scuffle, froze at the sight before him. Swallowing hard, he instinctively took several steps back.

    Blood pooled across the polished marble floor.

    Skyler''s eyes widened in shock. He shouted for help.

    "Someone, get a doctor! Now!"

    Frantic footsteps echoed down the hallway, and in moments, chaos consumed the entire office.

    Ste, however, stood apart from it all, calm and detached, as if none of this concerned her.

    Soon after, paramedics arrived and rushed the oil tycoon to the hospital as well.

    Seizing the confusion, the financier slipped out. Whatever arrogance he''d shown earlier hadpletely vanished.

    A woman this unhinged-if she''d dared ram into them with her car, who''s to say she wouldn''t pull a gun next? Trading the life of an illegitimate daughter for theirs... it was a bargain, really.

    If Skylerter imed Aurora was mentally unstable, wouldn''t they have died for nothing?

    Just minutes ago, the financier and the oil tycoon were scheming to squeeze some concessions out of Skyler before negotiating a truce. Now, it was clear there''d be no truce.

    If peace was out of the question, then...

    Before leaving, the financier cast a final nce at The Williams Tower, a cold gleam flickering in his eyes.

    ...

    Later, Israel and Coleman were stunned when Aurora told them Sellers had been found.

    Israel asked, "Aurora, are you going to check on him?"

    Aurora nodded. "Yeah. Once we''re done at The Williams Group, I''ll head over and see Sellers."

    The three chatted as they made their way toward the elevators. Suddenly, they noticed a crowd of people rushing frantically in the same direction.

    Coleman frowned. "What''s going on? Why is everyone in such a panic?"

    Israel pressed his lips into a thin line, about to g someone down for answers, when his own assistant appeared, pale as a sheet.

    "Sir, something terrible has happened! Your sister, Ms. Cameron-she fired a gun

    in Mr. Williams''s office and shot the oil tycoon!"

    Israel could hardly believe what he was hearing. “What did you just say?!"

    The assistant, voice trembling, repeated himself.

    He exined that after escorting Ste to Skyler''s office, he''d remembered some work he needed to discuss with Skyler''s assistant and stepped out. That''s when Re heard the gunshot. Rushing back, he found the oil tycoon lying in a pool of blood.

    He''d been the one to bring the oil tycoon there-and now, the man was shot. His own life might be on the line for this.

    The three of them stood frozen, stunned by the news.

    Israel''s voice cracked. "Has Ste lost her mind? She actually shot someone?!"

    Without wasting another second, they hurried upstairs.

    Jonathan, having heard the gunshot himself, arrived at the scene just as the paramedics wheeled the oil tycoon past them.

    Still in the dark, Jonathan demanded, "What happened here? Who fired the gun?"

    In Solmaris, carrying firearms wasn''t illegal. Many prominent figures kept one on hand for personal safety.

    Coleman quickly exined the situation to Jonathan.

    Upon hearing the details, Jonathan fixed Israel with a piercing, icy re.

    "I told you not to bring Ste here! She always stirs up trouble, but you wouldn''t listen. And now she''s gone and shot someone! Do you realize we might have just made enemies with one of the city''s most powerful families?"

    Israel stared at the floor. "I... I never thought Ste would actually do something this insane..."

    Ket

    Coleman nced thoughtfully at Skyler''s office. "Have you noticed how much Ste has changed since her hand was injured? She isn''t the same person anymore."

    The group fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts.

    Coleman continued, "If I had to guess, she probably hired a skilled bodyguard to stay close by. I think she''s been nning something for a while now."

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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!