Haynes could only keep bailing people out, running himself ragged thanks to Jasper''s nonstop troublemaking.


    Joshua said, “But Foreman and Haynes-they''ve been friends since childhood, right? Can you really trust someone who''d turn on his own best friend?"


    Abby replied, "Foreman''s put up with them for a long time. But honestly? They crossed way too many lines. Eventually, you just can''t look the other way anymore. Besides, for Keen''s sake, he doesn''t want things spiraling out of control."


    She paused, then added, "Foreman helped Star out, but it didn''t actually hurt Jasper in any real way. And remember, when Sellers was targeting Jasper a while back, it was Foreman who stepped in to help-he even talked Haynes into helping too. He''s loyal to his friends, even if they don''t always deserve it."


    Joshua fell silent, having nothing more to say.


    Out in the hallway, Ste answered Foreman''s call.


    "Star," Foreman said, "are you free today? There''s something I need to tell you."


    His voice dropped to a low, serious tone. "It''s about Joshua."


    Ste was quiet for a few seconds. "Alright. The same café as before?"


    "Yeah. See you there," Foreman replied.


    After letting Abby and Joshua know where she was headed, Ste made her way


    to the café. She arrived early, only to find Foreman was already there waiting.


    He stood up as she approached, pulling out her chair with gentlemanly grace.


    "Star, I haven''t congratted you yet for beating Harry and taking first ce in thepetition."


    He handed her a beautifully wrapped gift box that had been sitting on the table. "This is for you—a little something to celebrate your win."


    Ste and Foreman knew each other well by now, so she epted the gift without hesitation. "Thank you."


    "Aren''t you going to open it?" Foreman prompted, a smile tugging at his lips.


    Ste obliged, unwrapping the box to reveal an exquisitely crafted crystal music box. Inside, a delicate figurine of a young woman stood poised with a violin, ready to y.


    She twisted the key, and the familiar melody of "Moonlight" drifted softly from within. As the music yed, the figurine moved, bowing the violin in perfect time with the tune.


    The details were striking-the woman''s face was so finely carved, Ste recognized herself immediately.


    "This is..."


    Foreman''s gaze softened, his eyes dark and earnest. "I met a master sculptor while I was away on business not long ago. I asked him to make it for you. Do you like it, Star?"


    No woman could resist something this beautiful and sparkling. Ste was clearly smitten.


    She picked up the music box, marveling at the tiny violin in the figurine''s hands-it was an exact replica of the Nocturne Ste. Even at that scale, every detail was perfectly reproduced.


    It was obvious how much care had gone into it.


    Unable to hide her delight, Ste said, "Thank you. I love it."


    Seeing the genuine pleasure in her eyes, Foreman''s expression softened into a gentle smile.


    "I''m d," he said simply.


    In truth, he hadn''tmissioned the


    sculptor at all. The music box was something Foreman had


    painstakingly carved himself,


    project that had taken him an entire year toplete.


    He even had another music box at home-a pair of bride and groom figurines, modeled after the two of them in wedding attire. But that one would remain hidden, at least for now. Maybe someday, when he and Ste were together and had a family of their own, he''d carve another-one with the three of them—and give it to her then.


    After admiring the music box for a while, Ste carefully set it back in its box.


    She got to the point. "Foreman, what was it you wanted to tell me?"