How long has it even been, and they''re already out shopping for clothes together?


    Haynes, can you believe it? Ste''s actually using your money to keep some pretty boy on the side!


    Rachel snapped out of her shock, her thoughts racing. She''d only spoken to Joshua recently, pouring out her frustrations to him, and he''d helped here up with a n. Yet now-of all ces-they''d run into Ste and Joshua together. Was this a setup? Was Joshua doing this on purpose? What exactly was he trying to aplish?


    Before Rachel could make sense of it, Joshua''s face turned serious and righteous. "Mr. Wilkinson, I''m only Ms. Cameron''s assistant. There''s nothing inappropriate between us. Please stop spreading rumors."


    Jasper let out a mockingugh. "Assistant? Is that supposed to be some kind of kinky game? Roley, is it? I''ve seen plenty of rtionships like yours-close the office door, and it''s straight to ying out your little scenarios. Well, well, Ste, I never would''ve guessed. You always act so prim and proper, but it turns out you''re just as wild as the rest, huh..."


    He didn''t get to finish. A cold, sharp voice cut him off.


    "Jasper, that''s enough."


    It was Haynes. His expression was dark and stormy-like a man who''d just been made a fool of.


    Jasper instantly fell silent, panic shing across his face. Damn it, he''d only just gotten off probation and now he''d let his mouth run wild and said things he shouldn''t have. He scrambled to backtrack. Look, Haynes, don''t take it the wrong way. I was talking about someone else, not Ste." Desperate, he turned the spotlight on Joshua, jabbing a finger in usation. "You-yeah, you! What''s your angle, cozying up to Ste like this? I''m warning you, stay away from her, or don''t me us for what happens next!"


    Rachel jumped at Jasper''s sudden outburst. Oddly enough, Joshua lookedpletely unfazed. Rachel, on the other hand, felt her heart thudding with anxiety. If Haynes found out she knew Joshua, he''d probably want nothing more to do with her.


    Joshua''s face remained calm, not a


    hint of guilt or nervousness. He nced at Ste and spoke in an


    ats


    even tone. "Ms. Cameron, working for you wasn''t exactly my first choice, but I''ve done my best and never wanted to take your money for nothing. First, Mr. O''Brien tried to buy me off-told me to name my price and leave you alone. Now, his friend calls me a gold-digger. Ms. Cameron, I have my pride. I make my living honestly. There''s nothing shameful about that. But as a man, I can''t ept this kind of humiliation. So, I''d rather resign now than bring you more trouble or interfere with your reunion with Mr. O''Brien."


    Joshua had rushed in today and managed to save Ste from a mess, helping her vent some of her anger too. She''d already been unsure how to repay him for that favor. Now, seeing Joshua suffer insult after insult because of her, she was overwhelmed with guilt. But what stung most was that word—"reunion"-slipping so pointedly from his lips. It sounded like the cruelest joke.


    She turned icy, fixing Jasper with a re. "Jasper, watch your mouth. If you keep spreading lies and damaging my reputation, I''ll make your words public and see you in court."


    ver


    Then her gaze shifted to Haynes, cold as steel. "Haynes, who I spend time with is none of your business? There''s something else you need to understand. From the day we divorced, I never once considered getting back together with you. Even if every other man on earth disappeared, I still wouldn''t choose you. Don''t tter yourself. Without you, I''m not going to fall apart. In fact, I''ll only live better."