He raised his phone and, aiming in Haynes'' direction, snapped a quick photo.


    Without hesitation, he sent the picture to Rachel, along with a short message. "This is as much as I can do for you."


    Rachel replied almost instantly.


    "I''m on my way!"


    Then, as if suddenly realizing she hadn''t thanked Joshua, she sent another message.


    "Thank you, Joshua."


    Carrying four bottles of water, Joshua strolled back at an unhurried pace.


    When he returned, he spotted Aurora sitting across from Ste, the two deep in conversation.


    On the table in front of them sat the four drinks he had just brought.


    Joshua had sharp hearing and could vaguely catch Aurora''s words.


    "Think it through. If you agree toe back, my father is willing to give you ten percent of The Williams Group''s shares."


    Ste was about to respond, but when she noticed Joshua returning, she simply said, "Alright, I''ll consider it."


    Aurora stood up. "Well, I''ll be going then."


    She offered Joshua a polite smile, just as she was about to leave.


    Joshua''s eyes narrowed suddenly. "Ms. Williams, wait a moment."


    Over the past few weeks, Joshua and Aurora had run into each other a handful of times. They were acquaintances, but only in the most superficial sense-barely more than a nod in passing, with hardly any real conversation.


    So when Joshua called out to her now, Aurora couldn''t help but feel a little surprised.


    "Yes, Mr. Joshua? Is something the matter?"


    Joshua''s gaze fell to the earrings she was wearing. "Ms. Williams, may I ask- where did you get your earrings?"


    Aurora instinctively touched her earlobe, puzzled. "My earrings...? Is there something unusual about them?"


    Joshua didn''t answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Would you mind if I took a closer look at them?"


    It was a bold, even slightly rude requestpletely out of character for the usually reserved and courteous Joshua.


    Ste nced at Joshua but didn''t say a word.


    Aurora looked at him thoughtfully.


    She''d always respected people with strength of character. Joshua wasn''t exactly her type but she''d always


    had a decent impression


    of him.


    He was, after all, a strong presence among ordinary men.


    With that in mind, Aurora nodded. "Sure."


    She unsped her earring and handed it to him.


    int


    Joshua examined it closely. The piece


    palm exactly the same maiset t smooth and cool in hi


    as


    the earring he already had


    He quickly returned it to her.


    "I''m done, thank you, Ms. Williams."


    Aurora took it back, ncing down at it herself.


    Her father hadmissioned these as a custom design-unique, yes, but not so extraordinary that they''d be one of a kind.


    She couldn''t see anything particrly special about them.


    Aurora didn''t press him for an exnation. Instead, she smiled. "Anything else,


    Mr. Joshua? If not, I''ll get going."


    "No, that''s all," Joshua replied.


    Aurora left.


    Halfway across thewn, she caught sight of Haynes teaching Keen how to shoot a bow.


    Suddenly, she remembered Rachel had also once tried to buy these earrings from her.


    Joshua and Rachel. Why were they both so interested in this pair of earrings?


    Was there some connection between them?


    Aurora mind,


    no matter how hard


    trieved everything in her


    evidence linking Joshua an


    couldnt recall any


    After she left, Ste turned to Joshua. "Is there something special about Aurora''s earrings?"


    The pair did look familiar to Ste.


    She''d known Aurora for a few years, so maybe she''d seen her wearing them before-that must be why they rang a bell.


    She''d never really paid much attention to Aurora''s essories.


    Joshua turned to her, his gaze deep and unreadable, carrying a weight that made


    Ste''s heart skip a beat.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!