Ste''s expression turned grave. "What happened to Joshua?"


    Abby got to her feet, hesitating for a moment before asking, "Star, do you want toe with me to the hospital?"


    Without missing a beat, Ste replied, "Yes, I''ming with you."


    By the time they arrived at the hospital, Joshua was already out of emergency


    care.


    He was a capable driver, and thankfully, his injuries weren''t too serious. There was a deep gash on his forehead that had needed several stitches, now hidden beneath thick bandages.


    Abby moved to the edge of his bed, concern etched on her face. "Joshua, what happened? How did you end up in a car ident?"


    The car involved was a recent reward from Ste to Joshua-a new ride that Abby had picked out for him. It wasn''t anything extravagant, costing about fifteen grand, just something reliable for getting around. The car had been delivered only yesterday, and now, less than twenty-four hourster, Joshua had crashed it.


    Joshua didn''t answer right away. He hesitated, as if unsure how much to reveal.


    Noticing his difort, Ste pressed gently, "Joshua, is there something you''re not telling us?"


    He fell silent for a few seconds before finally saying, "The brakes failed. Out of nowhere."


    Ste and Abby exchanged uneasy nces.


    Abby spoke in a low voice, "When it was delivered yesterday, everything seemed


    fine. There wasn''t the slightest problem."


    Ste turned to Abby. "Did you pick it up yourself?"


    Abby shook her head. "I''ve been swamped at work, so I arranged for the dealership to have one of their staff drop it off."


    Ste shifted her gaze back to Joshua. "Did you drive it at all yesterday?"


    He shook his head. "No. Today was the first time I took it out."


    So, the dealership''s staff had driven it over without issue yesterday, but the very first time Joshua got behind the wheel, the brakes failed. Ste''s eyes narrowed. She didn''t buy that this was just some freak ident.


    She thought for a moment, then said, "Abby, can you look into the details of that dealership for me?"


    Abby nodded, understanding the gravity of what Ste was implying. Ste had made plenty of enemies-people who''d go to any length to hurt her. Maybe this wasn''t about Joshua at all. Maybe it was aimed at her.


    "I''ll find out everything I can," Abby promised.


    When Abby left, Ste turned to Joshua, her voice soft with regret. "I''m sorry. I never wanted to drag you into my mess."


    Joshua offered a wry smile. "It might not be because of you. I''ve probably made a few enemies myselftely."


    Ste watched him closely. In this city, Joshua didn''t know anyone outside their circle. It had to be because of her. The car had been meant as a gift, a small reward, and now it had nearly cost him his life.


    Before long, Abby returned, her expression troubled.


    Ste immediately asked, "Did you find anything?"


    Abby nced at Ste, lowering her voice. "That dealership is owned by The O''Brien Group."


    Ste''s face darkened.


    Abby added, "It might not be Haynes. Maybe there was a real problem with the car when it left the factory."


    Ste''s voice was icy. "Let the professionals figure that out. We''ll have it examined."


    "I''ve already called a team to inspect the car. We should have a report tomorrow," Abby replied.


    Ste nodded. "Good."


    After leaving Joshua''s room, Abby finally let the question on her mind slip out. "Star, do you think Haynes is behind this?"


    Ste''s expression was cold. "The dealership is part of The O''Brien Group. Who else but him could tamper with the brakes without anyone noticing? Besides, he''s made it clear more than once that he doesn''t like Joshua."


    Abby frowned. "But to go that far, just because he doesn''t like Joshua? That''s twisted."


    She paused, her brow furrowing as a thought urred to her. "Wait-didn''t Sellers'' brakes get sabotaged too? Do you think...it could be the same person?"


    Ste''s eyes flickered with realization. "It''s possible."


    Abby continued, "But if it''s Haynes, what did Sellers ever do to him? They barely know each other."


    Ste replied, "Haynes doesn''t have a grudge against Sellers, but his close friend Jasper does. Still, Sellers'' brakes failed at the auction, and Jasper''s falling out with him happened after that. The timing doesn''t add up."


    She shook her head, frustration evident. "It just doesn''t make sense. Maybe I''m being paranoid. Let''s wait for the investigation before jumping to conclusions." Abby agreed quietly.


    ***


    The next morning, Ste brought a pot of nourishing broth to Joshua''s hospital room. He''d always enjoyed her cooking-what Haynes and his father had dismissed as nd, Joshua and Marvin had praised. Preparing the broth had taken hours, but knowing Joshua''s ident might have been her fault made the effort worthwhile.


    As she stepped out of the elevator onto the VIP floor, Ste immediately noticed more chaosè than usual. Reporters raced through the halls, microphones in hand chasing after some unseen scoop. She wondered if some celebrity had been admitted.


    Turning a corner, Ste saw Joshua''s door wide open-and a throng of reporters


    flooding inside. A cacophony of voices filled the air.


    rmed, Ste hurried over. She found Joshua cornered, surrounded by


    journalists who were practically shoving their microphones in his face.


    "Mr. Joshua, is it true that you seduce women to get what you want? Is that why you''re working as Ms. Cameron''s assistant?"


    "Mr. Joshua, what do you have to say about those wealthy women online iming you used them?"


    "There are even rumors that two women fought over you, and someone was seriously hurt. Care toment?"


    Ste''s heart seized in her chest. "Joshua!"