The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

She murmured softly to herself, "Climbing to the top by stepping on Aurora?"

Joshua replied, "No matter where you started, Aurora's got you beat by a mile- connections, family, everything. The Williams brothers have been working at Williams Corporation for ages, and with their support, she's right at home. If you try to outmaneuver her by playing the same game, you don't stand a chance. The only way forward is to take a different path."

Stella listened carefully, then asked, "So, do you have any ideas?"

Joshua leaned back, considering. "Business is war, Stella. The old strategists knew their stuff, and what worked on the battlefield works just as well in the boardroom. There's no point insisting on always playing fair. Look at the people who reach the top-how many of them got there without using a little leverage in private? Say you and Aurora both want to bid on a major contract, and your proposal is stronger than hers. If the Williams brothers found out, how do you think they'd help Aurora win?"

This time, Joshua didn't need to spell it out. Stella understood immediately.

The Williams brothers would try bribes and blackmail first—if money didn't work, they'd move on to threats. And if those failed, there were always Leonard and Sherman Burton to apply even more pressure.

She saw exactly what Joshua was getting at.

Williams family, peace with Aurora was impossible. So

Stella's way. She couldn't avoid them. Trying to work around

avoid them, she'd have to break right

wasn't going back to the Williams family to play fair with

over at Joshua. "You really have given me a new

stray thought crossed her mind: if someone like him

to her sudden distraction, pointed to her laptop screen. "Mr. Connolly's notes aren't completely useless. We can

snapped back to attention and realized just how close

leaned over beside her, both hands braced on either side of the keyboard, effectively caging he between the chair and his chest. He didn't seem to notice the proximity, with one hand, he moved the mouse while the

and Stella's heart skipped

Joshua was her bodyguard-he'd