Foreman nodded. "Yeah, when I was studying abroad on my own, I used to cook for myself all the time."


    Abby looked at him with interest. "Where did you study, Mr. Richards?"


    "Solmaris," Foreman replied.


    Abby''s eyes lit up. "No way-that''s where Star and I studied too!"


    Foreman smiled softly. "What a small world."


    Since Foreman was already helping out in the kitchen, Abby rolled up her sleeves and joined in.


    After breakfast, Foreman said, "I''ve already sent someone to investigate the unknown individuals lurking around. We should hear back in the next couple of days."


    "Thank you for taking care of it, Mr. Richards," Abby replied gratefully.


    Foreman just smiled, answered a call, and stepped out.


    Three dayster, the investigation was finished.


    Ste and Abby were moved into a hotel owned by the Richards Group.


    As Ste walked away, Foreman watched her retreating figure and murmured, "If only Star could stay here forever."


    But he knew her too well.


    The closer he got, the further away Ste seemed to drift. Managing to keep her close for three days had already pushed the limits.


    Still, he couldn''t reallyin. At least he''d spent three days with her-shared meals she''d cooked herself, even sipped the herbal tea she''d made.


    With Haynes, Neville, and Joshua all absent from Ste''s side, the air itself felt fresher-like for once, Ste belonged just to him.


    But happiness is always fleeting.


    With Haynes still unconscious, Neville caught up in work, and Joshua away on vacation, Foreman knew he needed to act fast if he wanted to close the distance between him and Ste.


    Once those three annoying men returned, any ns would be ten times harder- and far more likely to be discovered.


    After Ste left, Foreman quietly pushed open the door to her room.


    She''d left everything spotless, every detail in ce.


    A gentle breeze fluttered the curtains.


    Foreman picked up the pillow she''d slept on and breathed in her faint scent.


    He couldn''t afford to waste any more time-he had to make a move while he still had the chance.


    Once back at the hotel, Ste threw herself into thepetition again.


    Foreman, meanwhile, returned to his old habits-appearing now and then at Ste''s side, keeping a


    eye


    on her safety.


    MS


    That day, Ste had just finished a match and was walking out with Abby.


    "After the next round, you''ll be in finals!" Abby said excitedly. "Just


    the


    ovelt


    thinking about you taking the championship gives me


    goosebumps."


    But Ste only looked tired, her eyes shadowed with exhaustion.


    Too


    victory. Besides, Haynes still


    bel


    woken up.


    Foreman''s car was waiting by the curb.


    As soon as he spotted Ste, he got out and opened the door for her.


    "Thank you," Ste said quietly.


    She was just about to get in when Abby suddenly shrieked.


    "Star, look out!"


    Ste spun around, her eyes going wide in rm.


    A car was barreling toward them, wild and out of control.


    Foreman reacted instantly, shoving Ste out of the way just in time.


    The car missed, screeching to a halt. Doors burst open and men jumped out, charging straight for Ste.


    Foreman and the bodyguards, who''d been keeping watch nearby, rushed to block their path.


    It was a van-seven or eight men tumbled out, moving with trained efficiency.


    Neville''s bodyguards, alerted by themotion, hurried over to shield Ste.


    But one man broke through the line, a glinting de in hand, lunging straight for


    her.