Joshua nodded honestly. "Yeah, I''m a little scared."


    Haynes'' voice dripped with contempt. "I thought you had some guts, but it seems you''re not much after all."


    But Joshua had a remarkably strong mind. He didn''t feel the least bit ashamed by Haynes'' taunt.


    He replied evenly, "It''s apetition-there''s always a winner and a loser, and there are always stakes. I can''t just agree to your terms, Mr. O''Brien. What if you ask for something I simply can''t deliver? I''d be digging my own grave.


    After all, I don''t have your power or influence, Mr. O''Brien. I can''t afford to lose like you can."


    Haynes said, "The terms are simple. You can manage it, and you can handle the loss."


    His gaze locked on Joshua, every word deliberate.


    "If you lose, you leave Novaris and never show your face in front of Ste again."


    Joshua asked, "And if I win?"


    Haynes answered coolly, "Name your price."


    Joshua''s lips curled into a faint smile. "Mr. O''Brien, what do you take Ms.


    Cameron for? She''s not your property, nor is she some prize to be wagered in a


    bet.


    To offer those terms so casually-don''t you think you''re being a little disrespectful to Ms. Cameron?


    Did you even ask her what she wants?"


    Ste couldn''t help but frown at that.


    Haynes certainly had some nerve.


    Was he so sure he''d win? Or did he simply believe he could grant any wish Joshua might make?


    Remembering Haynes'' performance earlier, Ste''sshes fluttered. He was surprisingly skilled-maybe not any less so than Joshua.


    It hit her then: after five years of marriage, Haynes didn''t really know her. But maybe she didn''t know him that well, either.


    A faint sense of irony crept into Ste''s heart.


    He was always busy with work, never talked to her about his interests, never brought her to ces like this.


    Joshua said, "Sorry, I can''t ept. Call me a coward, say Ick


    nerve whatever you want.


    unless Ms. Cameron herself agrees I''m notpeting with you."


    He handled it so gracefully that even Ste couldn''t help but nce at him in surprise.


    She remembered how, not long ago, Joshua had won first prize and, without hesitation, handed over


    pair of earrings worth a smalle


    fortune-just like that. Ste Couldn''t help but see him in a new light.


    With things at this impasse, if Haynes ignored Ste and insisted on challenging Joshua, he''d juste off as petty and ill-mannered.


    So he said nothing more. Instead, he called Keen over and started teaching him how to shoot.


    It was clear he had no intention of leaving.


    With Keen around, Haynes had every reason to stay.


    Keen quickly got absorbed in learning.


    Ste knew she couldn''t just ask Haynes to leave in front of Keen.


    So she simply ignored him.


    While Haynes was busy showing Keen how to hold the bow, Ste took the chance to return the earrings to Joshua.


    "Joshua, you won these. Take them. Even if you can''t wear them, you could sell them."


    Joshua shook his head. "Ms. Cameron, you paid for the tickets and everything else today. Any prize I win here should belong to you."


    Ste didn''t like epting gifts from


    others, so she tried to hand them


    back, but Joshua cut her off. "Once a


    gift is given, it shouldn''t be taken


    hack.


    I gave them to you in front of everyone. If you don''t like them, feel free to toss


    them in the trash."


    With that, Joshua turned and walked away.


    Ste watched his retreating figure, surprised.


    He''d always seemed so mild-mannered, as if he''d never lose his temper.


    She hadn''t expected he could actually get upset.


    Joshua headed to the lounge and bought a few bottles of water.


    He hadn''t gone out of his way to avoid Haynes.