Haynes clearly hadn''t expected the truth to be quite like this. He froze for a moment, then turned to Ste, his face clouded with uncertainty and confusion.


    Ste met his gaze, a faint smile ying on her lips. "Mr. O''Brien, you''re not going to tell me you think I faked this security footage just to frame Rachel, are you?"


    Haynes was silent for several seconds before finally speaking. "I''m sorry. That time... I misunderstood you."


    But Ste didn''t even bother to acknowledge him. Instead, she turned to Neville. "Mr. Connolly, wouldn''t Rachel''s actions be considered attempted murder? If we called the police, what would happen?"


    Neville chuckled lightly. "She''d be looking at a minimum of three years."


    Ste arched an eyebrow. "But Ms. Pearce does seem to lead a charmed life. Not only does she have a terminal illness, she''s also been diagnosed with depression. I doubt any prison could hold her for long."


    Neville offered a suggestion with a shrug. “With that kind of instability and violent behavior, she''d be a danger to the public if released. Better to have hermitted to a psychiatric hospital."


    He nced at Haynes. "Wouldn''t you agree, Mr. O''Brien?"


    Haynes''s eyes darkened as he looked at Ste. "I''ll make things right with you regarding Rachel. How do you want to proceed?"


    The moment he said that, Ste understood-even if this changed how he saw Rachel, he hadn''t given up on her. He still intended to clean up her mess.


    Ste regarded Haynes with a half-smile. "Tell me, Mr. O''Brien, are you still nning to steal my special guest?"


    He fell silent for a moment. "No one''s taking your guest from you. Not anymore."


    Ste heard the real message in his words: he was done pulling strings for Rachel.


    She was about to say more when Haynes''s phone rang. He held up a hand in apology and answered. The call was brief; as soon as he hung up, he turned to Ste.


    "Mywyer''s here."


    From the moment Ste had


    decided to confront Sellers, Haynes knew things were about to getplicated. If Sellers were


    Mal.ne


    someone who could be dealt with so easily, he never would have wed his way to the top of the sprawling Burton family. And on top of that, Sellers was notorious for being ruthless and vindictive.


    Ste had made a powerful enemy-one who didn''t forgive or forget.


    She frowned, just about to refuse his help, but Haynes seemed to know exactly what she was thinking.


    "Don''t be so quick to say no. Without awyer today, you''ll be taken away for sure."


    He let his gaze drift-pointedly, but almost casually toward Neville.


    "If you wait for your people to arrive, it''ll already be toote."


    He looked at Ste. "You could easily end up being intercepted on your


    way to questioning. Sellers has


    people everywhere. He''s not as


    simple as you think. If they take you


    in, getting out won''t be so easy."


    Ste''s brow furrowed. Sherman might not have the clout for that kind of maneuvering-but Sellers definitely did. And she didn''t for a second doubt Haynes''s warning.


    Just then, there was another knock at the door.


    Haynes''swyer strode in, followed by several uniformed police officers. They


    were quick—almost too quick.


    The officers approached Ste,


    showed their badges, and addressed


    her formally. "Ms. Cameron, we''ve


    received a report using you of attempted murder. Pleasee with us to answer some questions."


    Haynes''swyer, apparently already briefed, stepped forward with a calm, reassuring smile. “Officers, I''m Ms. Cameron''s attorney. I''ll be representing her in all matters concerning this case."