Abby looked like she wanted to say something more, but her eyes suddenlynded on Joshua sitting nearby.


    She stood up. "Star, can we talk outside for a minute?"


    Ste nodded, and the two of them stepped out into the hallway.


    Once the hospital room door was closed, Abby lowered her voice and tried to reason with Ste. "Star, I know you''re furious about all of this. Anyone would be. But you also know what kind of power Haynes holds at Neo-Vespera. Even with Neville''s help, even if we manage to leak the dirt on Rachel, it''ll all be swept under the rug in no time. They''ll be on guard, and if we try anything else before Rachel''s concert, it''s going to be almost impossible to pull off."


    She nced back toward the room, her tone softening. "I know you can''t stand to see the people you care about getting hurt. But holding back for a few days won''t make a difference. In the meantime, maybe we can deal with all those nasty rumors about Joshua. Let''s track down the women who started them and have ourwyer hit them with awsuit."


    Ste shook her head. "Joshua''s lost his memory. We don''t know what''s true or false anymore."


    Abby let out a long sigh. "You''re right."


    Ste continued, "And now with Haynes fanning the mes, it''s going to be almost impossible to put this fire out."


    They kept their voices down, but Joshua''s hearing was sharp—he caught every word.


    So Ste wanted to drop the bomb about Rachel ahead of schedule? She wanted to strike back at Haynes for him, to get revenge on his behalf.


    Joshua felt a rush of heat in his veins. For the first time in a long while, his heart- usually so numb and lifeless-began to beat faster, almost out of control.


    Is this what it feels like to have someone truly care about you?


    Suddenly, he understood, at least a little, why Rachel would go to such desperate lengths, even hurting herself, just to win Haynes''s attention. This feeling... it really was something.


    Outside the room, Abby eventually gave in to Ste''s reasoning.


    With Ste''s current level of fame, Haynes wouldn''t be able to silence her so easily. If Ste exposed Rachet under her own name, it''d cause an explosion-but it would also be a huge risk for Ste.


    Abby hesitated. "Why don''t I post it from my ount? Everyone knows I''m your manager; I can take the heat for you."


    If anything went wrong, she''d take the fall-Ste wouldn''t be dragged down with her.


    Ste shook her head. "Abby, the difference in our ounts is night and day. Even the fan counts don''tpare. Haynes might be able to silence you, but he would never dare try it with me.”


    Abby frowned, unconvinced. "But it''s just too risky. What if something happens -?"


    Ste patted her on the shoulder.


    "Look at how far we''vee. When


    have we ever yed it safe? They''ve already pushed us to the edge. If we keep backing down, they''ll never stop. As long as Rachel''s around, the mess between me and Haynes is inévitable."


    Abby knew she was right. Still, she couldn''t help worrying-Ste had fought so hard to get where she was. She was terrified Haynes might destroy her all over again.


    But atst, Abby made up her mind. "Alright. We''ve still got Neville, Mr. Burton, and Antoney backing us up."


    With the decision made, Abby''s old hesitation vanished. "Star, I''ll go start putting together all the evidence. Once I''ve sorted it, I''ll send everything to you."


    Ste nodded.


    Abby didn''t return to the hospital room; she left straightaway.


    Ste checked the time. It was already noon.