That night, after Foreman arrived, Jasper wasted no time recounting his run-in


    with Ste earlier in the day, embellishing the details as he went, especially when it came to Ste''s supposed offense against Karl.


    "Ste made such a fuss, but honestly, it was just a scratch. The wound was barely bleeding-she really knows how to put on a show and fish for sympathy.


    Please, all that talk about not wanting to get back together with Haynie? She''s just angling for him to take revenge on her behalf.


    ying hard to get... She''s really something, isn''t she?"


    In the dim light, Foreman''s eyes glimmered ever so slightly.


    Haynes was on the phone the whole time, oblivious to the shift in Foreman''s expression.


    Once he''d finished making arrangements, Haynes ended the call.


    Jasper, ever the coward, didn''t dare badmouth Ste in front of Haynes, so he abruptly changed the subject.


    "Haynie, what did you find out? Did Karl really send people after Ste?"


    Haynes''s expression was ice cold. "Karl''s in the hospital right now. Compound fracture in his hand, apparently."


    Jasper let out a low whistle. "Ste said she''d already taught Karl a lesson-looks like she really shattered his hand.


    Damn, she''s ruthless. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, huh?"


    Foreman leaned forward. "Haynie, should we intercept the contractsing into Karl''spanies? Want The Richards Group to help out?"


    A cold glint shed in Haynes''s eyes. "Just blocking his business deals? That''s letting him off way too easy."


    Foreman''s gaze sharpened. "So, you''re thinking..."


    Haynes''s handsome face was unreadable. "Hees into my territory and dares


    toy a hand on my people? Someone like that needs a real lesson."


    Foreman nodded. "The Burtons really have been out of controltely. Sellers keeps making trouble for Ms. Cameron, trying to push The Wilkinson Group into bankruptcy.


    And Karl-he actually tried to destroy Ms. Cameron''s hand. With that kind of malice, who knows, maybe next time he''ll try to kill someone."


    Just hearing Sellers'' name seemed to light a fire under Jasper.


    "Exactly! The Burtons need to be taken down. Who do they think they are, swaggering around on our turf?"


    Foreman lowered his voice. "Haynie, whatever you want to do, I''m with you."


    Haynes shot Jasper a look.


    Foreman immediately picked up on it. "Jasper, why don''t you take Ms. Pearce out for a walk?"


    Jasper was dying to know what


    Haynes was nning, but one


    ence at Haynes''s frosty stare was


    enough to remind him not to push his luck.


    He turned to Rachel, hoping she''d help persuade Haynes to let them stay.


    "Rachel, are you feeling alright? If you''re not="


    Rachel cut him off with a gentle smile. “It''s fine, Jasper. Let''s go."


    Joshua had deliberately leaked this incident to Haynes-he clearly had his


    reasons.


    Maybe, just maybe, this was exactly the oue he wanted.


    Rachel thought back to what Ste had said not long ago, her heart practically skipping with delight.


    It was obvious: right now, Joshua had Ste''s full trust.


    Ste was even willing to antagonize Haynes for Joshua''s sake.


    She must be absolutely bewitched by him.


    Then again, Rachel couldn''t me her. With Joshua''s looks, it was no surprise.


    Honestly, Rachel hoped Ste would stay infatuated with Joshua, maybe even end up with him.


    With Joshua''s temperament, if Ste ever crossed the line, he wouldn''t hesitate to get rid of her.


    The next morning, as Ste stepped è apartment with Marvim


    out of


    she e


    a small figure v


    e entrance. Content b


    thene


    She paused mid-step.


    by


    "Mom!" Keen''s eyes lit up the moment he saw her, and he dashed over eagerly.


    Ste frowned slightly. "Keen, did you sneak out again?"


    "Nope." Keen looked perfectly as he pointed behind him.


    me. He''s just over


    there." oke