Ste said, "A witness statement alone isn''t enough to count as evidence. As long as Haynes denies everything, there''s nothing anyone can do to him.


    Sure, someone tampered with your brakes, Joshua, but the only person who''s gone missing is that store clerk. There''s no way to tie any of it directly back to Haynes."


    She nced at Joshua, her eyes full of regret. "I''m sorry, Joshua. I don''t think there''s any way for me to get justice for you this time.”


    It wasn''t that she didn''t want to help-there simply wasn''t any hard evidence linking Haynes to the crime.


    Joshua gave a weary smile. "Mr. O''Brien has more power than we can imagine. He covers his tracks too well. People like us, we''re just no match for someone like him."


    He shrugged, trying to y it off. “It''s all right. I''ll just have to be more careful from now on."


    The more gracious Joshua tried to be, the more guilty Ste felt.


    "I promised you before that I''d get justice for you, and now I''ve gone back on my word so soon."


    At that moment, Ste felt the full weight of how powerless justice could be in the face of wealth and influence.


    Antoney, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "Star, when I return to my family, I promise I''ll do everything I can to make things right for you."


    Ste managed a smile and nodded.


    They chatted a little longer before Antoney took his leave.


    Not long after, Ste saw a headline on the news-Rachel had been arrested. Her expression remained unchanged.


    Someone like Rachel, Ste realized, didn''t even have the power to stir up her emotions anymore.


    She didn''t even care enough to want revenge. Letting the police and thew handle her was the best ending she could think of.


    After wrapping up her side of things, Ste got a call from Jonathan Williams.


    "Ste, yourpetition is over now, so you should have a little more free time, right? My father wants to talk to you."


    Jonathan had called her several times during the tournament, but she''d always told him she was too busy to talk.


    Now, he was trying again.


    Ste had once wondered why the Williams family kept reaching out to a daughter they''d disowned. But when she learned about the


    everything made sense.


    No wonder Skyler Williams had been so generous with Keen, offering up equity right away.


    With that in mind, Ste agreed. “Sure, I''m free today."


    Sooner orter, she''d have to face these things-and she certainly wasn''t nning to give up her shares.


    Who knew? Maybe one day she''d join The Williams Group herself.


    Jonathan''s voice softened with relief. "My father and I will be at home all day. Come by whenever you like."


    After she hung up, Ste told Abby she was headed to the Williams estate.


    Abby looked concerned. "Even if this is Neo-Vespera, and it''s unlikely they''ll try anything, it''s better to be safe. Why don''t you take Joshua with you? That way, if anything goes wrong, he''ll be there to help."


    Ste nodded. "Good idea."


    They drove together to the Williams family home.


    As soon as they stepped into the living room, Ste spotted Aurora and Simone


    Lerman sitting together with cups of tea.


    Aurora stood up and greeted her. "Star, you made it."


    Ste returned the nod.


    "Father and my brother are upstairs," Aurora said. "Let me take you up."


    She nced at Joshua and offered a polite smile. “Mr. Joshua, would you mind waiting here?"


    Joshua didn''t answer right away he just looked to Ste.


    bet


    Ste was about to discuss family business; it wasn''t exactly the time to have Joshua by her side. She gave him a small nod.


    As Ste and Aurora headed upstairs, Simone gestured warmly. “Joshua, have a seat over here."


    Joshua sat across from her, and as he nced around the room, his eyes fell on an earring-one he recognized instantly.