Ste''s response was polite and distant. "Thank you."


    With that topic wrapped up, she turned her attention to Aurora, who was still lying in the hospital bed.


    "How are you feeling now, Ms. Williams?"


    Ste could call Skyler and Jonathan "Dad" and "Jonathan" without hesitation, but she just couldn''t bring herself to call Aurora "sister." The word felt too fake, too forced.


    Aurora didn''t seem to care what Ste called her. She smiled. "I''ll be fine. With a bit of rest, it shouldn''t affect thepetition."


    Ste nodded. "That''s good to hear."


    She turned to Skyler next. "If there''s nothing else, I''ll head out now."


    Skyler nodded. "You''ve had a long day. Go get some rest."


    Once Ste left, Jonathan finally spoke up.


    "Aurora, be honest with us. When you said you took the hit for Simone, was that just a cover to help Ste?"


    Aurora looked helpless. "No, I meant it. Every word."


    Jonathan''s eyes narrowed, sharp and probing. He searched Aurora''s face for any sign of evasion, but when she met his gaze steadily, he finally looked away.


    Outside the hospital room.


    Simone watched as Ste entered with the Williams family, finally giving her a chance to speak privately with Joshua.


    "Joshua, do you have time tomorrow? Maybe we could go to the club for some shooting practice?"


    Her tone was noticeably softer than before. Previously, even though she''d shown an interest in Joshua, there had always been a trace of haughty superiority in her


    manner.


    Joshua nced at her and replied curtly, "Can''t."


    Simone blinked, stunned. She''d never been treated so coldly by him before.


    A flicker of panic shed in her eyes. Why was he acting like this? Did he somehow know she was faking it? She was starting to lose herposure.


    Ever since she learned Joshua was head of the Gardner family, she''d considered him already in her grasp. The thought of him belonging to anyone else had never crossed her mind.


    Instinctively, she reached out and tugged at Joshua''s sleeve. "Joshua, what''s going on with you..."


    Before she could finish, the hospital room door opened and Ste stepped out.


    She paused, a little startled to find the two of them in such a close, awkward moment. Had she interrupted something? Ste looked over at Joshua, but the second their eyes met, he quickly looked away, as if he couldn''t be bothered to spare her another nce.


    Ste froze. Seriously? Was Simone so jealous she couldn''t even stand him looking at another woman?


    She shot Simone a sidelong nce and saw that Simone''s expression wasn''t much better-tense and unhappy.


    Had they been fighting? Was that why Joshua had been so off all day?


    Ste wondered about it, but in the end, it wasn''t really her business Since Joshua made no move to break the awkward silence, Ste had no choice but to speak first.


    "Joshua, are youing back with me, or do you want to stay here and talk to Miss Lerman?"


    Joshua turned to look at her. Something about the look in his eyes unsettled Ste. What was up with him today?


    His voice was cool and clear. "I''ll go back with Ms. Cameron."


    Ste still had things to take care of and didn''t have time to linger. She nodded to Simone in farewell and left the hospital.


    Once they were in the car, Joshua waited for Ste to buckle her seatbelt before starting the engine.


    She hesitated for a long moment before finally asking, “Joshua, are you in a bad mood today?"