Foreman nearly burst outughing in exasperation. "So, being close to Star is a threat to her reputation, but you being glued to her side is perfectly fine? Mr. Joshua, don''t you think you''re being just a bit hypocritical?"


    Joshua answered coolly, "I''m Star''s bodyguard. My job is to keep her safe, so of course it''s only natural that I stay close. But you, Mr. Richards... As Mr. O''Brien''s friend, you seem to care an awful lot more about Star than her ex-husband does." Haynes'' gaze flickered, but Foreman''s expression turned cold.


    "Star is Keen''s mother," Foreman replied, his voice steady. "After everything that happened with Rachel''s scheming, we misunderstood Star and treated her unfairly. We owe her, and it''s only right to make amends. Besides..." He nced at Haynes, a trace of guilt clouding his features. "Last time, Haynie specifically told me to look after Star, but because of my carelessness, she was kidnapped. I''ve known Star for years-what''s wrong with checking on her? And you aren''t you overstepping by calling your own boss ''Star''? Doesn''t that seem a little inappropriate for a bodyguard?"


    Joshua chuckled, amusement tinged with mockery. "If you can call her ''Star,'' why can''t I? You''re so worried about appearances, but you''re the one calling her by her first name every other sentence. Maybe you should take a look in the mirror. Mr. Richards, don''t you think you''re a bit too concerned about your friend''s ex- wife?"


    Foreman opened his mouth to retort, but caught Haynes watching him thoughtfully out of the corner of his eye. He fell silent, shoulders stiffening.


    Haynes finally spoke. "Enough. Let''s head downstairs and wait for Star."


    With Haynes putting an end to the argument, Foreman had no ground left to stand


    on.


    "...All right."


    Once they were out of Joshua''s sight, Foreman hurried to exin himself. "Haynie, don''t listen to Joshua''s nonsense. He''s just trying to stir up trouble."


    Haynes'' handsome face was unreadable, his expression giving nothing away. "I didn''t believe a word he said, but Foreman, don''t you think you''ve been unusually talkative today?"


    Foreman faltered, momentarily at a loss. He wasn''t usually this verbose; it was Joshua''s needling that had gotten under his skin and made him lose his cool.


    ...


    After changing her clothes, Ste stepped out to find Joshua waiting alone outside her door. Haynes and Foreman were nowhere in sight.


    She wasn''t surprised. "Why aren''t you downstairs?"


    Joshua frowned slightly, his voice low. "I didn''t feelfortable leaving you alone. Something about tonight just feels...off."


    "Off?" Ste studied his face. "Is there something wrong with the dressing room?"


    Joshua shook his head after a moment''s thought. "No, nothing specific. It''s just a feeling. But it''s better to be cautious."


    Ste nodded, understanding. "I wonder if Leonard and Sellers will show up."


    "Sellers won''t," Joshua replied. "He''s still recovering from his injuries-he won''t be out and about anytime soon As for Leonard. he has the nerve to show his face here


    sure he regrets it." Joshua''s lips


    make


    curled into a faint smile, but his eyes were icy cold.  s


    Together, they headed back to the party.


    The celebration was in full swing by now, and Aurora had already arrived. She was surrounded by


    well-wishers, everyone eager to


    congratte her.


    s


    Suddenly, Joshua leaned close and murmured, "Mr. O''Brien really is a ma for attention, isn''t he?"<fnc757> The rightful source is F?ndNovel</fnc757>


    Ste nced across the room and


    2UTS


    spotted Queenie standing by Haynes'' side, chatting with a bright smile. Haynes, ever reserved, responded only with the asional polite word, his demeanor cool and distant. Queenie, however, didn''t seem to mind his aloofness it only made her linger by his side all the more.  s