chapter1125

No one would be foolish enough to broadcast something like this; if anything, they'd carry it out discreetly, with no one the wiser.

Suddenly, Coleman spoke up. "It would be best to get to the bottom of this before we do anything rash. What if Stella didn't actually borrow the money from Haynes or Neville? If their cash flow is still strong and we blindly make a move, we might just be walking into a trap."

Coleman's tone grew more serious. "Haynes and Neville aren't people you want to underestimate. If we give them the slightest opening, we could end up paying a heavy price. And most importantly, we risk souring our relationship with Stella for good."

Israel shot Coleman a glance. "Since when did you get so cautious, Coleman? If Stella didn't get the money from Haynes, then where else could she possibly have gotten that much cash?"

Coleman frowned. "Didn't Stella meet with an investor last time? It's possible she landed some new investment."

Israel laughed, openly dismissive. "I met that so-called investor-Jake, or whatever he called himself. No background, nothing on file; the guy's a ghost. Do you know the funniest part? He claimed he was going to invest half a billion dollars in Stella. Would you believe a complete stranger if they told you they'd wire you half a billion?"

Israel waved a hand, as if brushing away the very thought. "He's a con artist, plain and simple. Even Stella didn't buy his story-surely you're not falling for it, are you?"

Coleman replied, "Maybe that guy's a fraud, but that doesn't mean there aren't other investors out there..."

Israel cut him off. "Coleman, don't tell me you're so rattled by Stella that you've started seeing her as some kind of mastermind. Even if someone did want to invest, who could come up with that kind of money on such short notice? There are only a handful of families in the country who could pull that off in three days, and Stella doesn't have anywhere near that kind of influence." For original chapters go to FindN0vel.net

As they spoke, Stella and Shawn's father finished signing the paperwork and exchanged contracts. The sound of camera flashes lit up the room, followed by a wave of applause.

Skyler and his father both looked visibly unsettled.

Without asking for their help, Stella had pulled together the funds and managed to buy twenty percent of the Pearce Group's shares. In just a matter of days, she had accomplished something extraordinary.

It was clear that many shareholders

in the Williams Group would start to see Stella in a whole new light. And if Aurora ended up joining the company she'd be completely overshadowed by Stella-there would be no competition. Stella's standing would rise far above

Aurora's. s

When the deat

was announced as

successful,dsrael could barely keep himself from storming the stage to stop it But he knew he couldn't do n't do that He clenched his fists, silently hoping for some last-minute disaster to derail the agreement. C ntent belongs to s

But nothing happened. The signing went off without a hitch. All the Williams family could do was sit there faces dark with frustration, unable to do a thing in front of the crowd. s

Watching Stella beam with triumph, Israel's face turned ashen. He was so furious

he nearly lost his composure.

Just then, his phone buzzed.

The caller ID made him pause.

He muttered a quick excuse to those around him and found a quiet corner to answer the call.

"Leonard? What's going on? I wasn't expecting to hear from you."

Leonard's gravelly voice came through the line. "So you actually let Stella sign the deal with the Pearce Group? Pathetic."

Israel's tone turned icy. "If you called just to insult me, I'll hang up right now."

"Wait." Leonard stopped him. "I actually called because I need your help with something."

As if worried Israel would refuse, Leonard added, "It's about Stella."