Joshua''s tone remained calm and almost detached. "This is Neo-Vespera-we''re


    on Haynes''s turf. How would I even stop her? Besides, do you think she''d give me a heads-up before she made her move, so I could brace myself?"


    Rachel was silent. What was the point of arguing now? The damage was done, and going over it again wouldn''t change anything. Better to focus on what to do next.


    She softened her voice. "Joshua, is there any way out of this?"


    If anyone coulde up with a clever solution, it''d be Joshua.


    He pretended to think for a few seconds, then said, "Rachel, you were careless. You handed over solid, incriminating evidence. With proof like this, it''s almost impossible to turn things around."


    Hearing this, Rachel''sposure finally started to crack. "I don''t even know how someone was watching me! Joshua, you alwayse up with something-can''t you help me? Please?"


    Joshua let out a long sigh. "Rachel, it''s not that I don''t want to help. But this is Novaris-Haynes holds all the cards here. There''s really nothing I can do. If we were in Aetheria, I could make ck look white for you this wouldn''t even be a problem."


    A heavy sense of dread settled in Rachel''s chest. If even Joshua couldn''t help, maybe there really was no hope.


    This whole ordeal made it clear: Haynes was done with her. She was well and truly cast out.


    Staying in Novaris was no longer an option.


    A thought struck her, and she spoke up. "Joshua, maybe I should just go back to Aetheria with you."


    It was dangerous to be around Joshua, but his influence and power rivaled- maybe even surpassed-Haynes''s. Starting over in Aetheria with Joshua''s backing, she could w her way back to the top, maybe even live a life of luxury again.


    Joshua had never been her first choice, but as ast resort, he would do.


    Joshua''s voice softened suddenly. "Rachel, I told you, as long as you''re willing to


    Rachel''s heart skipped. "But what?"


    He continued, “But are you really willing to give up?"


    She bit her lip without thinking. After everything she''d put in, how could she possibly just give up?


    "So what if I''m not? I don''t have any other choice. Ste''s surrounded by bodyguards-it''s basically


    e''


    impossible to get near her, let alone kidnapher. What else can I do besides leave? Wait around to be ruined and humiliated for good?" Cóntent


    Joshua let out a low, almost devilish chuckle. "Actually, there still might be a way."


    At this, Rachel''s eyes lit up and she nearly trembled with excitement.


    "I knew you''d think of something, Joshua-"


    He cut her off. "But it''s ast resort. You need to think carefully before you decide


    if you''re willing to go through with it."


    Right now, Joshua was herst lifeline.


    "Just tell me, Joshua!"


    He took his time, his voice unhurried. "The key to all of this is still Haynes. If


    Haynes is willing to help, everything else can be fixed."


    Rachel bit her lip hard. "But Haynes kicked me out of the house, took my studio- I''m basically homeless now."


    Joshua sighed softly. "Rachel, I told you before: Haynes was never worth your devotion. He only cared about you when you were shining. The


    second you fell from grace, he threw you away without a second thought."


    Rachel felt a surge of bitterness. Then Joshua continued, "You know what they say-it takes two to tango.


    Now the whole inte is calling you


    mewrecker, a gold-digger..."