NovelEnglishAfter Joshua left, Simone strolled over to Stella, greeting her with a bright smile.
It didn't take long for her to change the subject.
"Ms. Cameron, | have to admit I'm quite interested in your assistant, Joshua. Would you mind terribly if | tried to
recruit him away from you?"
Stella's reply was calm. "If you think you can lure Joshua away, | won't stand in your way. He's free to leave
whenever he wishes. | wouldn't try to hold him back."
Simone watched Joshua's silhouette disappear down the path. "But from what | can see, he doesn't seem eager
to leave you."
"That's not something | can control," Stella answered quietly.
Simone turned back, still wearing that warm, easy smile.
"| offered him three times his current salary, but Joshua still refused to join me. Clearly, staying by your side
matters more to him than money. You must have quite the magnetic personality, Ms. Cameron."
Stella shrugged. "Money isn't everything. Maybe it just doesn't mean as much to him as you'd expect."
Simone nodded in agreement. "He's won even more of my respect now."
Truth be told, Stella barely knew Joshua, and she wasn't any closer to Simone. Unsure how to respond, she
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtmuttered a vague acknowledgment and let the conversation lapse.
Simone was more outgoing than Aurora, though, and took the initiative to keep chatting.
"Ms. Cameron, Mr. Williams and Aurora call the way to New Vespera to bring you back to the Williams family.
Any idea when you'll be returning?"
Stella glanced at her. "My friends and my career are all here in New Vespera. | have no plans to leave, at least for
now."
Simone smiled again. "You know, there are real advantages to coming home. You'd never have to worry about
money or comfort, and the resources at your disposal would be endless. Just look at Aurora-"
She gestured toward Aurora, who was horseback riding and practicing archery in the distance. "She's had the
best education since childhood, and with her family paving the way, her career's been nothing but smooth
sailing."
Leaning in, Simone lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Do you know why Aurora still isn't engaged?"
Stella and Aurora were never
destined to be close-there were too many differences between them. Still, Stella had never gone out of her way
tomake things difficult for her, even though Aurora had always been the one to win their father's and brother's
affection.
But Stella had long since stopped caring. With no expectations, there was nothing
left to be disappointed about.
Still, Simone's words piqued her curiosity. "Why?"
"Because Aurora stands to gain more by not settling down," Simone confided. "Her nis known throughout
the city, and there's no shortage of men lining up to ask for her hand. Many powerful families have sought close
alliances with the Williams family just for the chance to marry her-including the Burtons and the Lermans. And
honestly, Aurora is so accomplished that very few are truly worthy of her."
She glanced back at Stella. "Even my own brother doesn't quite make the cut, in my opinion."
Stella knew Aurora was exceptional-there was a reason Skyler, Jonathan, and the rest of the Williams brothers
valued her so highly.
Simone went on, "Aurora is
ambitious and capable. If she weren't a woman, she could easily take
er the Williams Group one
day. But Mr. Williams won't allow it-he insists she study music instead, wasting her true talents."
Stella shook her head gently. "Reaching the top in any field is no small feat. When
you stand at the summit, the achievements you earn aren't necessarily less meaningful than success in
business."
Simone countered, "Maybe so, but if we're talking about making money, music doesn't cclose."
Stella turned to face her. "Is money really the only measure of success?"
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