Joshua looked like he wanted to say something more, but Ste gently interrupted him. "Joshua, I need you to stay here and watch over Keen. If I hand him off to anyone else, I just can''t be at ease."


    If she had to choose between something happening to herself or to Keen, the answer was obvious. She''d rather take the risk herself.


    Joshua understood that perfectly well. All he could do was stand there and watch as Ste and Jonathan walked away.


    Foreman, seeing Joshua had finally run out of excuses to linger around Ste, let a faint, knowing smile curl his lips.


    "Stay here with Keen. I''ll go check on Star," he said, pausing for effect before adding, "You know, Joshua, you''re not the only one in the world who can protect her."


    Joshua looked him straight in the eye. "You did this on purpose."


    He didn''t have to spell out exactly what he meant; both of them knew. Foreman had deliberately brought Keen over to tie Joshua''s hands. Even if Jonathan hadn''te for Ste, Foreman would''ve found some other way to keep him from following her. He just wanted a chance to be alone with Ste.


    Feigning innocence, Foreman shrugged. "I''m not sure what you''re talking about."


    Joshua couldn''t be bothered to argue. Squeezing Keen''s hand, he said, "Come on, Keen. Let''s go find your dad."


    He needed to get Keen somewhere safe before he could go after Ste. If anything happened to Keen, Ste would never forgive him.


    Foreman didn''t waste another second and strode off in the direction Ste had gone.


    ...


    In an unremarkable corner of the party, someone dressed as a janitor was lurking, ncing nervously around.


    A facemask and a cap concealed most of her face, but her eyes glinting with malice-remained visible. It was Rachel.


    She''d seen plenty of familiar faces at Aurora''s birthday party: Ste, Haynes, Simone, Joshua. Seeing Ste and Simone together made her seethe with resentment. But with Joshua always at Ste''s side, she hadn''t dared to make a move for now, she''d set her sights on Simone.  s


    With Joshua''s help, it would be all too easy to get rid of Ste-so easy, in fact, that she almost didn''t want to start there. Better to pull Joshua to her side first, to make sure hepletely lost faith in Simone.


    She was ready. Rachel''s lips curled into a cold smile. It wouldn''t be long before she reimed everything that was rightfully hers.


    Ste followed Jonathan into a quiet lounge.


    "Jonathan, what was so important that you needed to talk to me alone?" she asked.


    Jonathan got right to the point. "I''ve looked into what happened with Shawn. This whole thing-it was his fault. He admitted that he''d had a bit too much to drink that night and got carried away He''s willing to


    apologize to you for how he behaved. As for the contract, he''ll sign it again, and as a gesture of goodwill, he''s agreed to give up an extra two percent. He hopes this will put the matter to rest and keep things amicable between our two families. Are you satisfied with that, Star?"


    s


    Ste eyed him with skepticism. "You''re sure he really said all that himself?"


    Was Shawn really that self-aware? It seemed out of character.


    Jonathan just smiled. "Why would I lie to you? promised I''d see you get justice, and I always keep my word." He paused, then added, "You''ve just taken over thepany-you need to show results. know something about this partnership; it''s good for your business."  s


    He sounded every bit the wise older brother, offering careful guidance.


    "There''s not always a clear right and wrong in this world. If you let a minor incident ruin this partnership, thepany would be the one to suffer."<fn19a4> This update is avable on Find_Novel(.</fn19a4>