If it weren''t for his hatred toward Ste and Foreman, Sellers would have never survived this long.


    As Foreman stepped into the basement, he found Sellers sprawled on the floor, beaten and broken, pitiful as a stray dog left for dead.


    A flicker of regret crossed Foreman''s eyes.


    Not long ago, Neville had told him that Karl and Sherman had gone to confront Ste, demanding she release the prisoner. Neville hadn''t spelled it out, but the message was clear enough.


    Karl''s people had tracked them down.


    There are no secrets that can''t be uncovered. Sooner orter, Karl would find his way here.


    Foreman knew he was running out of options.


    Either let Sellers go, or make sure there was nothing left for anyone to find.


    He''d brought Sellers here for a reason; he''d made up his mind from the start.


    If he killed Sellers and disposed of the body, perhaps suspicion would never fall on him. But if he let Sellers walk free, the threat would never truly go away.


    He hesitated, a sliver of disappointment shadowing his face. He hadn''t tormented Sellers nearly enough. But with his trip to Solmaris with Steing up, he wouldn''t have much free time. Better to take care of this now.


    He drew a knife, ready to finish Sellers himself.


    He''d broken Sellers so thoroughly, he didn''t even consider him a threat anymore.


    But just as Foreman raised his arm, Sellers'' eyes snapped open, a deadly glint shing in their depths.


    In one swift motion, Sellers grabbed Foreman''s wrist and twisted.


    Caught off guard, Foreman lost his grip on the knife. His face drained of color as he tried to snatch it back, but he was toote.


    Despite his injuries, Sellers'' training as a family heir kicked in. Even at death''s door, he seized the moment and took the advantage.


    He plunged the knife toward Foreman''s chest.


    But Sellers was grievously wounded, his strength failing him. The de missed its mark, but it was enough to leave Foreman incapacitated for now.


    Sellers didn''t stick around to finish the job. He turned and bolted for the door.


    Wasting time would only put him at risk again; any dy, and he might never make it out.


    Foreman, ignoring the knife wound, staggered after him.


    But by the time he reached the hallway, Sellers had vanished.


    Foreman''s expression twisted in fury.


    He pulled out his phone and barked orders to his assistant, sending men to hunt Sellers down.


    At least Ste had already left Sandford; her safety wasn''t a concern now.


    Otherwise, a desperate Sellers might have gone after her out of spite.


    ***


    Ste only stayed in Neo-Vespera for a week before catching a flight to Solmaris.


    Abby and Joshua traveled with her.


    Solmaris wasn''t exactly unfamiliar territory for Ste and Abby. They''d spent four years there together at university. Ste had even lived in Solmaris for a while before starting college.


    As they stepped off the ne, Abby turned to her. "Star, are you nning to stay


    at the Williams estate, or are you getting your own ce?"


    Ste replied, "Jonathan wants me to stay at the family house."


    Abby frowned. "Star, if you move back in there, won''t those people make your life miserable? The four Williams men, plus Aurora-you''ll be outnumbered five to one. Why not just get your own ce? I doubt they''d dare cut ties with you for that."


    Ste smiled faintly. "Don''t worry. Back then, I was just a kid. I couldn''t see the situation clearly, and that''s why got hurt. It''s different now. I won''t be so easy to push around anymore.


    Besides..."


    Her eyes suddenly darkened, a mysterious resolve shining within them.