Haynes narrowed his dark eyes. "Then exin this: why are you so intent on ndering Star, while trying to clear Leonard''s name?"


    He stared hard at Israel, his tone cold and sharp. "Leonard kidnapped Star. The evidence is overwhelming everyone online saw it. As Star''s family, shouldn''t you be seeking justice for her? So why are you defending the man who hurt her? Or is there some secret deal between you and Leonard that we don''t know about?"


    By the end, Haynes''s words had Israelpletely on the defensive, unable to offer any reply.


    "That''s enough," Skyler cut in at just the right moment, stopping the argument from getting out of hand. "Once Star is out of surgery, we''ll ask Shawn directly."


    Haynes looked away, his expression indifferent as he waited quietly for news from the operating room.


    Foreman stood by the window, gazing at the night beyond the ss. Outwardly calm, inside he was anything but. This chance was once in a lifetime, yet it had all gone up in smoke-thanks to Joshua ruining everything.


    The more Foreman thought about it, the more he wanted Joshua out of the picture for good.


    It was only then he realized Joshua, who was usually glued to Ste''s side, never more than a step away, had disappeared. Foreman found it odd, but didn''t dwell on it long. He assumed Joshua had gone to check on Keen.


    Truth be told, Foreman couldn''t stand Joshua. Not having him around made even the air feel fresher.


    No one else seemed to notice that Joshua was already gone.


    An hourter, Ste was wheeled out of the operating room.


    Her condition had stabilized, but she hadn''t regained consciousness.


    Skyler turned to Jonathan. "Jonathan, Star''s out of danger now. Go bring that bastard Shawn here."


    Then Skyler addressed Israel. “Israel, it''s Aurora''s birthday party tonight. She probably still has a million things to take care of. Why don''t you take her home? Coleman and I can handle things here."


    Israel, exhausted from schmoozing and dealing with Simone''s scandalous photos at the party, was only too happy to agree. He certainly had no desire to sit vigil over Ste, who he could hardly stand.


    He turned to Aurora. "I''ll take you home."


    Aurora hesitated, then nodded softly.


    When Jonathan returned to the room where Shawn was being held, he found it empty.


    Jonathan frowned. Had Shawn woken up and left on his own?


    He reported the situation to Skyler.


    Skyler pondered for a moment before saying, "The security footage shows Shawn was pretty badly hurt. It''state-let''s just leave it for now Tomorrow, you and I will go to the Pearce house and demand they hand him over."  s


    Jonathan swallowed his anger toward Shawn. "Understood."


    This time, even if Ste was willing to let Shawn go, Jonathan certainly wasn''t.


    Shawn had made a fool out of him, and Jonathan''s pride was in tatters. If word of this got out, where would his authority be? Would everyone just start walking all over him, setting him up to take the fall?  s


    The next morning, just as Skyler and Jonathan were preparing to head to the


    Pearce estate to confront them, the Pearce family beat them to it.


    "Skyler, Jonathan, Shawn disappeared while he was at your family''s house. Bring him out, now!"


    It was Shawn''s parents at the door-visibly upset.


    The Williams and Pearce families had been close for generations. Back when Old Mr. Williams and Old


    Mr. Pearce were


    alive their houses were almost like one big family; they visited each other constantly.


    s


    After the old men passed away, the families drifted apart, but their business<fn2396> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find{n}ovel</fn2396>


    partnership remained strong and mutually beneficial.


    Still, Shawn had gone to Aurora''s birthday party and never came home that night.


    Their calls had gone unanswered. Panic was starting to set in.