If only Joshua had been by her side back then-how different things might have been.


    Maybe she wouldn''t have had to endure those nightmare years.


    A dangerous thought slipped into her mind.


    If Ste were gone... would Joshua finally belong to her, and her alone?


    ...


    Ste was just about to head upstairs when a small figure darted into her arms.


    "Mom!"


    She caught Keen, hugging him tightly. "Keen, what are you doing down here?"


    Keen clung to Ste, his voice muffled. "I missed you, Mom."


    "I told you I''de see you as soon as I was free, didn''t I?"


    Keen spoke softly, "Pretty soon, I have to go back with Dad. Who knows when we''ll get to see each other again? I just want to spend a little more time with you."


    Ste brushed his hair back. "There are so many people at the party. It''s not safe for you to run off on your own."


    "I asked Mr. Richards to bring me down," Keen replied.


    Only then did Ste notice Foreman standing a few paces away.


    Foreman exined, "I stopped by to check on Keen, and he insisted he wanted to see you. So I brought him over. Hope I''m not causing any trouble, Star?"


    Foreman was new in Solmaris, and it wasn''t strange for him to want to check in on Keen. Ste didn''t think much of it.


    "Not at all," she said. "Actually, I was just about to go up and see Keen myself." Foreman nced around. "Where''s Haynie?"


    Ste gave a smallugh. "Haynes is being cornered by Ms. Burton. No idea where he''s hiding now."


    Haynes had ditched Queenie toe find her, but Queenie wasn''t so easily shaken off-she''d followed right behind. She''d bluntly stated her interest in Haynes, even grilling Stelfa about his likes and dislikes. Not wanting Queenie to embarrass herself in front of Ste Haynes had no choice but to leave Ste''s side and try to handle Queenie on his own.  s


    Ste took Keen''s hand, ready to get him something to eat.


    They had just reached the buffet when Jonathan approached.


    "Star, could I talk to you for a moment? There''s something I want to discuss."


    Keen, seeing Jonathan, greeted him politely. "Uncle Jon."


    Jonathan''s usually stern expression softened, just a little. “Keen, why don''t you have a snack here while I speak with your mom?"


    Compared to Israel and Coleman, Jonathan had actually spent a fair amount of time with Keen. Back in Novas Skyler often brought Keen over to the house, so Jonathan had gotten to know him well.  s


    "Okay, Uncle Jon," Keen replied obediently.


    Joshua trailed behind Ste, about to follow her, but Jonathan stopped him. "Joshua, stay here and look after Keen. I need a private word with Star."


    Joshua''s face betrayed nothing. "I''ll just wait by the door. You two go ahead."


    Ste hesitated for a moment, then said to Joshua, "Why don''t you stay here with Keen, just in case?"


    Joshua''s brow furrowed slightly. "I can''t let you go alone. I''m notfortable with


    He didn''t get to finish; Foreman cut him off.


    "Joshua, don''t you think you''re being a little overprotective? Mr. Williams is Star''s brother. You really think he''d do anything to harm her?"


    Jonathan''s expression darkened further.


    He''d never liked Joshua, and now, with Foreman egging things on, his gaze grew icier.


    "Joshua, are you really here to protect Star-or are you just using that as an excuse to snoop around? As a bodyguard, dont you think you''re overstepping? Star is your employer, not your wife."  s<fnf863> Official source is Find★Novel</fnf863>