Haynes looked deep into Ste''s eyes. "Star, I want you to be prepared for what''sing."


    Her expression was calm, steady. "I understand. Thank you for the heads up."


    He shook his head. "You''re Keen''s mother. I owe you far more than you know, and this is the least I can do. There''s no need to thank me. If there''s anything else you need, just ask. I mean it."


    Ste hesitated, then asked, "Has Keen been going over to the Williams housetely?"


    "Mr. Williams has sent for him a few times, but I turned them down every time," Haynes replied, meeting her gaze. "For now, I won''t let Keen go over there. You have my word—I''ll keep him safe. I won''t let the Williams family use him against you."


    Ste''s look grew moreplicated. She wasn''t worried about much, except that the Williams family might try to hurt Keen.


    Haynes seemed to sense her concern and wanted to put her mind at ease.


    After a moment, Ste added, "Also, for the time being, please don''t take Keen to my mother''s house either."


    Haynes agreed without hesitation. "Alright."


    She stared at him in surprise. "You''re not even going to ask why?"


    His eyes darkened. "I know the reason."


    "Do you really?" she pressed, still not quite convinced.


    He nodded. "My mother''s way of raising Keen... there are problems. From now on, I''ll make sure their contact is limited."


    Deanna O''Brien''s so-called ''parenting'' had never actually done Keen any good. It was only after he and Ste divorced that Haynes learned the truth-Deanna would belittle Ste right in front of Keen, constantly pointing out her supposed ws.


    Hearing this, Ste''s expression finally softened.


    "I''ll be busy these days, so I''m counting on you to look after Keen," she said. Even though Haynes had custody, she was still Keen''s mother. She couldn''t just hand him over and wash her hands of responsibility.


    Haynes''s eyes warmed with a touch


    of a smile. "Keen''s school lets out soon. Why don''t we pick him up together and go out for dinner? With the internationalpetitioning up, you''ll probably be away for a while-it might be yourst chance to see him for some time."


    Ste thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."


    She also needed to talk to Keen about the Williams family.


    Turning to Haynes, she said, "Wait for me outside. I need to let Abby know I''m leaving."


    Haynes nodded and stepped out of the studio.


    Ste found Abby and exined she''d be leaving early to pick up Keen.


    As Ste walked away, Abby


    muttered under her breath, "That Haynes really knows what he''s doing. Even with Star resenting him so much, he still manages to get her to pick up Keen together. No wonder she fell for him back then..."


    This year, the internationalpetition wasn''t in Neo-Vespera, but in another metropolis-Sandford.


    The O''Brien Group might have a powerful reputation in Novaris''s business scene, but they weren''t


    domineering as to shut out even sol


    other family orpany.


    Coboration and mutual benefit were the only way to build something thatsted.


    Sandford, meanwhile, was the heart of the Foreman family''s influence.


    Ste and Abby had just stepped off the ne when they spotted a tall, impably dressed man waiting for them—Foreman Richards himself.


    Abby waved. "Mr. Richards!"


    Foreman strode over and took Ste''s suitcase from her. His assistant promptly picked up Abby''s luggage as well.


    With a weing smile, Foreman said, "Star, wee to Sandford."