A string of indecipherable code flickered across theptop screen, but she hadn''t thought much of it at the time.

    Joshuamented, "I didn''t hire any hackers. You can never pin down who these people are online-could be working for anyone, really. When evidence this crucial involves the heads of two families, if a hacker found out, they''d probably auction it off to the highest bidder, just to destroy it for good. Even if the evidence wasn''t destroyed, the moment you tip your hand, the other side starts preparing. There''d be no way to bring Leonard down in one blow."

    That''s why, when Abby asked him about it, Joshua hadn''t told her a thing.

    Abby would never betray Ste''s confidence, but she had a habit of blurting things out. There was always the risk she might slip.

    Ste turned, studying Joshua intently. "You know about hacking?"

    Joshua shrugged. "A little."

    "A little? That''s what you call ''a little''?"

    He smiled. “Hacking a phone isn''t nearly as tough as breaking into aputer. These days, smartphones have basically zero privacy. With just a bit of ess to someone''s photo album, you can get inside their whole device."

    Joshua made it sound easy, but Ste was certain there was more to it than that. As they talked, the car pulled up in front of The Williams Group headquarters. The building was nothing short of imposing—one of the world''s most powerful family corporations, with an office tower that soared a hundred stories high. Every project under The Williams Group''s expansive umbre had a ce here, not to mention the other branches scattered across different cities and countries.

    The moment Ste stepped inside, the receptionist greeted her with a bright, professional smile.

    "Good morning, miss. How can I help you?"

    Ste replied, “I''m here to see Israel."

    The receptionist paused, surprised. "You''re here to see the second young master?"

    Her gaze lingered on Ste with a hint of curiosity, maybe even suspicion. "Do you have an appointment?"

    Ste understood instantly-Israel hadn''t informed the front desk. Not because he''d forgotten, but because he wanted to make things difficult for her. He was counting on her never making it past the lobby.

    She smiled, unbothered. "I''m Israel''s sister, Ste. I only just returned home, so I suppose we haven''t met yet. But soon enough, I''ll be working here at The Williams Group, We''ll be colleagues before you know it."

    Yesterday''s events had caused quite a stir-everyone in thepany knew about the Williams family''s long-lost daughter and her formidable reputation. Even the family patriarch and his son tread carefully around her, who was a mere receptionist to stand in her way?

    The receptionist''s demeanor shifted again, this time with a touch of respect, maybe even awe.

    People always pick on the easy targets, but afterst night, Ste had proven she wasn''t someone to be trifled with. Not even the staff at The Williams Group dared underestimate her now.

    ...

    Meanwhile, Israel lounged in his office, phone in hand, perfectly at ease.

    He was waiting for Ste to call him

    from the lobby, begging to be let

    upstairs. That was when he''d humiliate her-make her wait, maybe even turn her away, and let everyone at The Williams Group witness her embarrassment. It would be her first lesson in humility.

    As Israel rehearsed all the ways he''d shame her, a knock sounded at the door.

    Assuming it was his assistant, he called out, "Come in."

    But when he looked up and saw who entered, the smug smile froze on his face. "Ste? What are you doing here?"