Haynes couldn''t stand Joshua, but he had better things to do than keep tabs on him.


    With an icy tone, he replied, "I have no idea."


    Ste met Haynes''s gaze. "That car was brand new, but the brakes failed. The dealership-ording to the investigation-belongs to the O''Brien Group. And the employee who returned the car vanished that very day."


    Haynes immediately caught what she was getting at. "You think I''m behind this?"


    Ste didn''t deny it. "Joshua doesn''t know anyone here. He hasn''t made enemies. But you''ve never liked him. You''re the only one with a clear motive."


    Haynes didn''t get angry about Ste''s usation. After all, he knew he''d wronged her. But hearing her question him like this-especially for another man-sparked a different kind of anger. He hadn''t done any of this, and yet here he was, being interrogated.


    "Ste, we were married for five years. No one knows me better than you do. And him..." Haynes cast a disdainful nce at Joshua. "How long have you even known him? Are you so sure you know what he''s really like? Who''s to say he''s not hiding something? The person you think you know could just be a mask."


    Before Ste could respond, Joshua spoke up.


    "Mr. O''Brien, you''re thest person qualified to make that usation. You were married to Star for five years-you should know her better than anyone. But when Rachel framed her, you chose to believe Rachel and forced Star to apologize. Whether I''m hiding something or not, who''s to say? But Rachel she was the real imposter. Maybe you should work on your judgment, Mr. O''Brien."


    Of all the things Joshua could have said, he just had to bring up Haynes''s past— something Haynes would rather forget. He was left speechless, his irritation simmering.


    "And who the hell do you think you are?" Haynes spat. "And since when do you get to call her Star?"


    Ste didn''t react to Joshua calling her ''Star.'' Everyone around her called her that now; it hardly mattered.


    Her voice was cold. "Haynes, all the evidence points straight at you. What do you have to say for yourself?"


    Haynes''s handsome features were frosty. "If I really wanted him gone, he wouldn''t be here anymore. He''s not even worth the trouble of such cheap tricks."


    But Ste''s expression told him she didn''t believe a word. Haynes felt his frustration rise. He was never one to exin himself, and under normal circumstances, he wouldn''t have bothered. But now, after everything he owed Ste, giving her another reason to hate him would only drive her farther away.


    He had no choice but to yield. His voice was cool and measured. "If you don''t


    believe me, fine. Bring in those women. Let''s confront them face to face."


    Ste nced at Joshua; he nodded in agreement. "Fine by me."


    Haynes was nothing if not efficient.


    Within two hours, he''d tracked down everyone who had spread rumors about Joshua online.


    Keen handed the investigation over to Abby Murphy. The rest-Ste, Haynes, Joshua, and


    Antoney waited in Ste''s office et


    Antoney had been called in by Ste herself. He didn''t ask why; whatever Ste wanted, he would cooperate.


    Soon, Benson arrived, leading three young women into the office. All three were strikingly attractive and dressed in expensive clothes a clear mark of privileged


    backgrounds.


    Ste had already looked into their histories; even the oldest, just thirty-two, was already the CEO of her ownpany.


    Ste spoke calmly. "You three-do you recognize the man who deceived you?”