Abby Murphy was just stepping out of the kitchen when she saw who had arrived —and her face instantly fell.


    "Officer, there must be some mistake. Star hasn''t leaked any trade secrets. Are you sure you''ve got the right person?" she blurted out anxiously.


    The officer replied, "Whether there''s been a mistake isn''t for you to decide. Please, miss, we need your cooperation."


    Abby looked like she wanted to argue further, but Ste gently reached out and stopped her.


    Ste nodded at the officers. "I understand. I''lle with you."


    Then she turned to Abby, her voice calm. "Don''t worry. I''ll be fine. Just make sure to call mywyer."


    Seeing howposed Ste was, Abby''s nerves settled-at least a little. Right. She needed to get Star awyer.


    "And one more thing..." Ste quickly listed off a few instructions.


    As Abby registered what Ste was saying, her eyes widened in disbelief. "Star, you... did you already see thising?"


    Ste gave her a small nod.


    Momentster, Ste was led away by the police.


    Ste was taken in that evening.


    After a long night of questioning, the dawn light was already streaming through the windows.


    The interrogation finally ended, and herwyer arrived to arrange her bail.


    He''d actually shown up the night before, requesting to see Ste, but the officers turned him away, iming she was still under interrogation and couldn''t be visited. The attorney was from Neville Connolly''s firm. He''d pulled every string he could, and after much back-and-forth, he managed to get Ste released on bail by morning.


    Ste knew perfectly well who was behind all this.


    She had barely stepped into the station''s front hall when she saw two familiar figures waiting for her.


    Jasper and Rachel.


    After a sleepless night, Ste looked pale and drawn, fatigue etched deep between her brows-a stark contrast to Rachel''s carefully styled, picture-perfect appearance.


    Jasper nced over, took in Ste''s disheveled state, and let out a mocking whistle. "Well, well, if it isn''t our dear millionaire Ste! What''s the matter? Out of jail before breakfast? What did you do this time?"


    Ste shot them an indifferent look. "You two have nothing better to do thane down here at the crack of dawn just to gloat? Honestly, with all this attention, people might think you''re in love with me."


    There was no need for pretense-they were old enemies, after all, and there were no outsiders present.


    Jasper sneered. "Someone would have to be blind to fall for you-a dropout with nothing going for her. Aren''t you embarrassed?"


    He made a show of pretending to gag. "Actually, I''m just here to give you a friendly warning. Ste, your lucky streak ends today."


    "Aren''t you the one who was showing off at the auction the other day? Thought you could outbid us and get away with it."


    "Don''t think spending a little cash will keep you safe. In case you haven''t heard, the police have already confiscated your auction goodies from your ce."


    "And your personal ounts? Frozen. Completely."


    "Just so you know, we didn''te here just to watch your downfall. We''re here to turn in evidence of your crimes."


    "You might be out on bail now, but you''ll be back behind bars soon enough. I''d bet... you won''t evenst until tomorrow."


    "And after that, no one can save you. Better get used to the idea of prison life."


    He''d been burned by Ste too many timestely-finally, things were going his way, and he was savoring every moment.


    "Ste, if you don''t want to rot in a cell, just ask me for help. For Keen''s sake, maybe I''d put in a good word for you with Haynie."


    Watching Jasper strut and preen, Ste only smiled. Her expression was light, almost amused—not the slightest hint of panic or fear in her eyes.