"In a few years, after the world''s taught you a lesson or two, you won''t be so na?ve anymore."


    The elevator doors slid open. Ste was about to step inside when someone came barreling out, nearly colliding with her.


    "Abby?" Ste blinked in surprise. "Where are you rushing off to?"


    A momentter, a tall, slender figure emerged from the elevator as well-Joshua.


    "Abby tried calling you," Joshua exined. "She couldn''t get through, so she tracked your car and saw it hadn''t moved. She was worried something happened and was just about to go look for you."


    Relief washed over Abby as she saw Ste standing there, safe and sound.


    "I got word about your painting," Abby said, still catching her breath. "I tried calling you, but your phone just wouldn''t connect. With this storm outside, I was scared something might''ve happened to you!"


    Ste pulled out her phone, only to realize it had died without her noticing. With everything going ontely, she''d forgotten to charge it the night before.


    "I''m fine," Ste reassured them. "My car just broke down on the way here." Joshua''s eyes fell on the jacket draped over her shoulders. "How''d you get back?"


    Ste didn''t try to hide anything. "I ran into Haynes and Rachel on the road. They gave me a ride." She gave a quick rundown of what had happened.


    Abby muttered under her breath, "What a day."


    Then she quickly turned to Ste. “Star, go upstairs and take a hot shower. You don''t want to catch a cold."


    "Okay."


    Once inside the studio, Ste slipped into her private break room, grabbed some clean clothes, and headed for the shower.


    When she emerged, a steaming bowl of ginger tea was waiting on the table. The sight of it warmed her heart.


    Abby always knew how to take care of her.


    Ste downed the tea in a single gulp, feeling the warmth spread through her chilled body.


    Stepping out of the break room, she found Abby holding a stack of papers, deep in conversation with Joshua.


    Ste walked over. "Abby, thanks for the ginger tea.”


    Abby looked up and grinned. "That wasn''t me. Joshua made it for you."


    "Joshua?" Ste nced at him, a little surprised.


    Joshua shrugged. "There''s not much for me to do around the studio. I eat your food, live under your roof, and still get paid. Feels wrong not to help out. Abby was thinking about getting you a personal assistant, but since I''ve got the time, let me handle these little things."


    Ste considered it and nodded. "Alright, thanks. I appreciate it."


    It was true when people have too time, they start looking


    much


    for


    s to do. Giving Joshua a few s would do him good.


    Not dwelling on it, Ste turned to Abby. "You said you had news about the painting?"


    Abby nodded and handed over the papers. "Star, take a look. Is this your work?"


    Ste examined the documents, her eyes lighting up. "That''s it! Where is it now?"


    Abby answered, “It''s going up for auction next weekend."


    "Auction?" Ste was stunned. "Why is it being auctioned?"


    Abby handed over another document. "See for yourself."


    Ste scanned the page, her expression shifting from shock to disbelief.


    At Burton Group headquarters, Sherman burst into an office, barely containing his excitement. "Uncle, there''s news about the painting you were looking for!"  fo