A fleeting glimmer passed through Joshua''s eyes—a sh so quick it was almost undetectable.


    He had no intention of letting things go, either.


    Ste hadn''t med Foreman for anything, so how could she possibly hold Joshua responsible?


    After all, Joshua''s vacation was something she''d arranged for him herself.


    This wasn''t Foreman''s fault, and it certainly wasn''t Joshua''s. The person truly to me was Leonard, the root of all this trouble.


    Abby spoke up. "Star, it''s gettingte. You should get some rest. Tomorrow, Joshua and I still need to help you collect the Williams Group files."


    Ste''s expression shifted slightly at Abby''s words.


    "I won''t be able to make it tomorrow-I have something else to take care of. I''ll let Dad know; you and Joshua can go without me."


    There was so much she needed to learn-not just business basics, but also a thorough understanding of the Williams Group itself.


    If she was going to work there, she needed to be familiar with every aspect of thepany. These documents weren''t confidential business files, just background materials every Williams heir ought to know, if only to avoid making a fool of herselfter by not even knowing what her own family did.


    Skyler Williams had waved it off with a generous hand, happy for Ste to take the materials and study up.


    As for the truly sensitive documents... Ste wasn''t cleared for those. Not yet.


    Abby looked surprised. "Star, aren''t you starting at the Williams Group at the end of the month? I thought you were eager to learn everything you could. What could possibly be more important than this?"


    Everyone knew Ste would face challenges once she started at thepany. She had little practical experience-she was full of gaps and vulnerabilities, like a sieve full of holes.


    Ste understood this herself. She''d already bought stacks of business books and was even nning to hire a tutor.


    She exined, "Foreman''s only here in Solmaris for a couple of days. He asked me to show him around, and I couldn''t say no."


    After years of living and studying in Solmaris, Ste knew the city inside and out.


    It made sense for Foreman to ask her to be his guide.


    Hearing that it was Foreman who''d invited Ste, Abby didn''t protest further. After all, Foreman had done so much for her.


    Abby only said, "Take Joshua with you, okay? We haven''t been in Solmaris Jong, and this is their home turf. If they''re trying to cover their tracks, there''s no telling what they might try. I''ll feel better if Joshua''s with you."


    ?


    Ste nced at Joshua and nodded lightly. "Joshua, I''ll be relying on you for the next couple days."


    Joshua gave a quiet smile. "It''s no trouble. This is exactly what I should be doing."


    Something seemed to cross Abby''s mind, and her expression grew hesitant.


    Ste had noticed all day that Abby was preupied.


    She turned to Joshua. "Joshua, why don''t you get some rest?" "Alright."


    Once Joshua had left, Ste closed the door behind him.


    "Abby, is there something you want to talk to me about?"


    Abby''s gaze darted away. "Star, I have some personal matters to deal with. I may need to be gone for a while."


    Ste didn''t press her for details. Instead, her voice was gentle and reassuring "That''s fine. Take care of what you need to do. Don''t worry about me-I''ll be alright. But if there''s anything you need, promise you''ll tell me. Don''t try to shoulder it all alone."


    Abby''s eyes stung with tears. "I promise."


    "When do you leave?" Ste asked.


    "In three days, I think. After you''ve settled things with Leonard."


    If things took a turn for the worse on Ste''s end, Abby would drop everything to be there for her.


    After a pause, she added, "Star, have you considered asking Joshua


    stay at the manor? If anything fee<pes up, he''d be close by to protect you."