Rachel''s chest tightened, each breath growing more difficult.


    She''d always thought Mr. Burton was just an entric old mystic-certainly not someone with real skill. But after what she''d just witnessed, it was clear his medical expertise was anything but a sham.


    Which could only mean one thing: Mr. Burton must already know she was faking her illness.


    Even Rachel, slow to catch on as she sometimes was, realized now that Mr. Burton''s earlier behavior had been nothing but a game-he''d been toying with her. And Ste, that snake, likely knew the truth too.


    Ste hadn''t exposed her, instead choosing to y along. It was all part of her n to get that billion-dor payout from Haynes.


    If Mr. Burton were just a powerless old man, Haynes might not have believed a word he said. But Mr. Burton was the founder of the Burton Group. His words carried weight-Haynes was bound to believe him.


    She was about to be exposed. Panic flooded Rachel''s veins.


    From the corner of her eye, she stole a nce at Haynes. He looked just as blindsided as she felt.


    Rachel''s heart pounded so hard it was all she could hear. Desperation wed at her. In that moment, she remembered Joshua Gardner.


    Yes-Joshua. He''d promised toe to Neo-Vespera tonight. Maybe he could help her.


    Taking advantage of Haynes''s attention being fixed on the stage, Rachel hurriedly typed out a message to Joshua.


    Out in the hallway, Joshua''s sharp, dignified features softened as he read her text. His long, pale fingers danced across his phone as he replied:


    "Don''t worry I''ll take care of this."


    Relief washed over Rachel, but anxiety still lingered. She quickly texted back, "How are you going to do that?"


    Joshua''s reply came momentster: "Come to the hallway."


    Rachel''s eyes widened. She darted her gaze around the ballroom. Was Joshua already here? How had she not spotted him?


    In a low voice, she whispered, "Haynie, I need to use the restroom."


    Haynes barely nced at her, his gaze still glued to the performers onstage, and nodded absentmindedly. "Mm-hmm.”


    Rachel slipped out into the corridor.


    Leaning casually against a windowsill stood a tall, elegant man-Joshua. His posture was rxed, almostzy, yet he radiated a certain noble grace.


    As she approached, his dark, clear eyes-like polished obsidian-lifted to meet hers, a faint smile ying at their corners.


    "Rachel, long time no see.” His voice was smooth and gentle, as soothing as a summer breeze.


    Anyone who didn''t know him would think he was just a golden boy-warm, cheerful, easygoing.


    "Joshua..." Rachel started, her wordsing in a rush, but Joshua brought a finger to his lips, signaling for silence, and nodded toward the ballroom.


    "Let''s go somewhere more private."


    Rachel tensed, suddenly conscious of the possibility of eavesdroppers, and snapped her mouth shut.


    The back garden was deserted-everyone was inside, watching the performance.


    Rachel, teetering on the verge of being exposed, could barely keep her nerves in check.


    She had no time to worry about Joshua''s dangerous reputation or the risk of him discovering her lies.


    "Joshua, have you figured out how to deal with Ste?" she blurted out, her voice urgent. "Maybe it''s time to make her disappear for good. With


    Mr. Burton protecting her now, it''ll only get harder to take her downter."


    Rachel made no effort to keep up her usual fa?ade of innocence and sweetness


    around Joshua.


    He wasn''t like Haynes. Joshua


    always sided with people, not


    principles, he didn''t care about right or wrong. If he cared about


    Held


    someone-even a devil-he''d them without hesitation. If he didn''t, even an angel wouldn''t be spared his wrath.


    He despised fake smiles and empty words. With Joshua, honesty was the only thing he respected. Pretending was pointless-being truthful only made him appreciate you more.