Foreman knew exactly what was eating at Ste.


    Rachel-she would always be the thorn in Ste''s side.


    That was why, back then, when Rachel set her up and used her of all kinds of things, Foreman didn''t step forward with evidence to clear Ste''s name. He wanted Ste to see for herself just how her own husband would side with


    another woman.


    Only then, Foreman thought, would she finally give up on Haynes for good.


    Ste took a moment to recall, her voice calm. "I''m not sure if they know each other. But as far as I can tell, nothing on my end has ever been leaked. In fact, while Joshua''s been by my side, he''s saved me more than once."


    Foreman''s tone was cautious. "Or maybe it''s just an act—maybe they staged it to win your trust."


    Ste didn''t like to assume the worst about people, but she couldn''t deny it was possible. After all, Sherman Burton had once fooled her in much the same way.


    She knew Foreman meant well, so she replied quietly, "I understand. I''ll be careful."


    Foreman smiled lightly and let it drop. Some things were better left unsaid; push too far, and Ste would just shut down.


    Changing the subject, Foreman said, "Star, what are you nning to do about Haynie?"


    If Ste chose to trust Joshua for now, the only card left to y was to drive a wedge between her and Haynes—until their rtionship was beyond repair.


    And if Ste cut ties with Haynes and then sent Joshua packing, well, that would be a double win.


    Ste''sugh was cold. "If Haynes wants to paint Joshua in a bad light right now, then he can''t me me for exposing Rachel."


    She held more than enough dirt on Rachel-hard evidence, and plenty of it.


    To Foreman, Rachel was nothing more than a pawn to stir up trouble between


    Ste and Haynes. Whether she sank or swam was of no concern.


    Instead, Foreman offered, "Star, I actually have some proof of Rachel setting you up. I''ll send it over."


    Ste smiled. "Thank you."


    After leaving the café, Ste headed straight to the hospital.


    Inside the room, Joshua was immersed in a video game, while Abby scrolled through her phone.


    When Ste walked in, Abby looked up. "Star, how did it go? Was it Haynes?"


    Ste nodded. "Yeah. It''s confirmed."


    Joshua''s hands stilled on the controller for just a second.


    Abby pressed on, "So what''s your n? Are you going to try and suppress the gossip?"


    Ste shook her head. “These kinds of rumors never really go away. Even if you manage to silence the press people will just talk about it behind closed doors. The more you try to shut it down, the more curious they get. Besides, Haynes is controlling the narrative now-shutting it down won''t be easy."


    Abby nced at her. "So, what are you thinking?"


    nes


    Ste''s lips curved into a cool smile. "Abby, it''s time to let Rachel''s scandals see the light of day. The


    tway to kill off one story is to hit them with something even bigger."


    Abby''s eyes widened. "You want to do it now? But the concert with Rachel isn''t for another month! If you leak the story so early, Haynes will have plenty of time to do damage control."


    It wasn''t exactly too soon, but Abby''s n was to wait until three to


    way, Rachel would be buried in scandal just as the curtain


    five days before the concern,o


    rose leaving her with an empty theater and no audience at all.