Neville turned to Ste. "Star, what do you want to do about those guys?"


    "We could make life difficult for their families-block a few business deals, stir up some trouble. If you''re set on bankrupting them, that''s not out of reach either."


    Jasper snorted, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, well, I thought Ms. Cameron was made of sterner stuff. In the end, still needs a man to fight her battles?"


    Ste shot Jasper a cool nce. "Rx. Even if I don''t have a man backing me, I know how to stand up for myself."


    With that, she looked back at Neville.


    "I have evidence-DUI, hit-and-run, brawling, harassing girls. The works. I just need you, Mr. Connolly, to make sure nothing gets swept under the rug when I go public. That''s all."


    She''d been humiliated at the birthday party. There was no way she''d just swallow her anger and move on. She''d been gathering dirt on those spoiled brats for a while now-waiting for the perfect moment to strike.


    And now, atst, the time hade.


    Neville''s gaze drifted thoughtfully from Haynes to Jasper. "That''s easy enough. No matter how powerful some people think they are, they can''t outrun justice forever."


    Ste nodded, then looked down at Marvin. "Marvin, is there anything else you want?"


    Marvin shook his head. "No, Ste. Let''s go home. I want to eat your pastries."


    A gentle smile warmed Ste''s face. "Okay."


    She took Marvin''s hand, and together they left the office.


    Neville followed, wearing his usualzy half-smile, trailing behind them.


    As he passed Haynes, Neville paused. "You failed to stand up for Star, so I will. From now on, I''ll take care of everything that concerns her."


    Haynes''s eyes darkened, his gaze sharp as a hawk''s as he stared after Neville. But Neville was already out the door.


    Watching Ste lead Marvin out, with Neville right behind, the three of them somehow looked like a real family-a harmony that was hard to put into words.


    The O''Brien estate was aze with light.


    Deanna sat stiffly on the sofa, her face drawn and displeased as she watched Haynes stride into the room, his presence unmistakably icy. She frowned.


    "That was a critical time for the O''Brien Group. I kept Keen''s trouble from you for your own good. Besides, kids fight and squabble all the time. It''s normal, isn''t it? Running to the parents over every little thing-how will he ever toughen up that way?"


    Haynes''s voice was low and steady. "Mom, Keen is five. All the other kids are shutting him out, and you call that a small matter?"


    Deanna was unyielding, clearly convinced she''d done nothing wrong.


    "The other children at that preschool-none of them matter. Keen won''t be there long anyway. He doesn''t need friends, and honestly, being ignored is probably for the best."


    Her parenting philosophy hadn''t changed since she''d raised Haynes years ago.


    Haynes knew changing her deeply rooted beliefs was almost impossible.


    After a pause, he pressed on. "At Keen''s birthday party, Jasper''s friends deliberately tripped Ste. Why did you tell me it was an ident? That Ste was just overreacting and being petty?"


    He''d already spoken to Keen on the way over, gotten the full story of what happened that day.


    Keen had been upstairs, and happened to see Jasper''s friends deliberately stick out a foot and trip Ste.