The two women were just about to leave when a luxury car pulled up beside them.


    The door swung open, and a tall, striking figure stepped out.


    A handsome, rakish face came into view, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.


    "Star, Ms. Murphy-it''s been a while."


    Abby''s face lit up with delight. "Neville Connolly! I haven''t seen you in ages. What have you been up totely?"


    Neville arched an eyebrow, shing azy, charming smile. "Just dealing with some family business, but thankfully, it''s all wrapped up now." He grinned, "What, did you and Star miss me?"


    Abbyughed. "Of course we did! Without you around, no one''s taken us out for a proper meal in forever."


    Neville shot back immediately, "Say the word, and dinner''s on me. In fact—" A thought seemed to strike him. He reached into the front seat and pulled out a gorgeous bouquet of fresh flowers.


    "Star, I never got to congratte you on your divorce-cheers to your newfound freedom."


    Ste epted the flowers with a calm smile. "Thank you."


    She hadn''t told Neville about the divorce herself, but Marvin Connolly had practically been living at her cetely. Abby and Ste had never kept their conversations private around him, so it was no surprise Neville knew.


    Just then, a sneering voice cut through the air.


    "Well, not even trying to hide it anymore, are we? No wonder you were in such a rush to get divorced-turns out your lover couldn''t wait."


    Abby shot back without missing a beat, "People with filthy minds see filth everywhere. You cheat, and now you think every man and woman together must be cheating too. Shameless."


    Jasper let out a coldugh. "A man giving a woman flowers-is that a normal friendship? Why don''t we ask a few passersby what they''d think?"


    Abby started forward, ready for a fight, but Ste stopped her with a gentle pull.


    Ste turned to Jasper, her voice steady. "Jasper, I''m divorced now. Who I spend time with and whose flowers I ept is none of your business. No one has the right to interfere."


    "Divorced?" Jasper''s voice climbed, loud enough for everyone in the vicinity to hear. "Who are you kidding? You were already running around with him before your divorce. That''s cheating! Do you even know what that means?"


    Ste raised an eyebrow, unbothered. "Oh, so you do know cheating is wrong? Instead of obsessing over my life, maybe try paying attention to your dear friends."


    She nced at him with icy amusement. "Parading your mistress around town like it''s a badge of honor-everyone knows. Even your divorce couldn''t happen without her by your side. Not only are you not ashamed, you unt it, desperate for attention."


    Jasper was livid, nearly trembling with rage. "Don''t change the subject! You''re the shameless one who cheated! Haynie and Rachel arepletely innocent="


    He didn''t get to finish. Ste cut him off.


    "I ept a bouquet and I''m a cheater? Meanwhile, they''ve already thrown themselves a wedding, but you call them innocent? How pure they must be."


    Jasper jabbed a finger at her, lost for words.


    For a moment, Jasper was speechless.


    The people nearby, who had overheard Jasper''s usations and seen Ste receive flowers, had almost believed she was the unfaithful one. But after hearing Ste''s retort, their gazes shifted to Haynie and the others, suddenly full of suspicion.


    A wedding? That was bold-outrageous, even.


    One nce at Jasper''s stony, silent face, and it was clear Ste''s words rang true.


    Without another word to Jasper, Ste waved to Abby and Neville, and the three of them walked away.


    Just then, Jasper''s phone rang.


    "Mr. Wilkinson, we just received word—the Ms. Cameron you promoted on yourst livestream is blowing up online. The tform wants to make her their next top influencer."


    "They assumed Ms. Cameron was under your management, since you promoted her. They want to know if there''s anything else you need in terms of support."


    Jasper was already seething from his argument with Ste. The update from his assistant only made his face twist with fury.


    He spat out his answer, teeth clenched. "Support? Forget it. cklist her- everywhere. I want her wiped from the entire tform!"