Ste looked at him, her admiration genuine and heartfelt.


    "Joshua, you''re brilliant."


    Joshua set the breakfast down on the table. "With Shawn missing, this really is the best solution for now."


    Haynes, of course, wasn''t a fool. He understood perfectly well that leveraging the situation for some benefit was the smartest way to handle things.<fn8fe0> Latest content published on Find★Novel</fn8fe0>


    But if Ste simply couldn''t swallow this injustice, he was more than willing to help her get what she deserved.


    She''d already made too many concessions because of him, endured too many slights.


    Haynes was done watching Stepromise for anyone or anything.


    ...


    When Skyler and Jonathan arrived at the hospital, they spotted Shawn''s father leaving the building, his face lit with delight.


    The two exchanged a wary nce.


    What''s going on?


    Just yesterday, the Pearces had stormed over demanding Shawn''s return, even threatening to cut ties if he wasn''t handed back.


    Why the sudden change in attitude today?


    Could it be that Shawn had been found?


    As that thought struck him, Jonathan''s expression hardened. He strode over to intercept Shawn''s father.


    "Mr. Pearce, you seem to be in a hurry. Did you find Shawn?"


    Shawn''s father looked up and caught sight of Skyler and Jonathan.


    The smile faded slightly from his face. "Not yet.”


    If Shawn''s disappearance wasn''t orchestrated by Leonard, then it had to be someone from the Williams family.


    Ste herself was the least likely suspect. After taking her medication, she''d fallen unconscious almost immediately. There was no way she''d had time to kidnap Shawn.


    No, it was more likely someone from the Williams family. They certainly yed the part well—maybe they''d grabbed Shawn to hold the Pearce family over a barrel.


    Skyler, that old fox who never let go of a grudge, had crossed swords with Shawn''s father more times than he could count-and rarelye out ahead.


    Skyler approached, still all easy smiles. "Pearce, were you just seeing Star at the hospital?"


    Shawn''s father forced a thin, polite smile. "Of course. After all, Ms. Cameronnded in the hospital because of my good-for-nothing son. It''s only right that I check on her."


    His unexpected civility took Jonathan aback. He''d expected Shawn''s father to be just as brash and unapologetic with Ste as he''d been with them.


    Skyler''s expression didn''t change; his smile stayed in ce.


    "Pearce, you know, Star''s not the only one who suffered this time-even our Jonathan ended up dragged into the mess. If it weren''t for the ties between our families, do you think Jonathan would have vouched for Shawn? Star''s barely returned to the Williams family, and she nearly had something happen to her right under our noses. Put yourself in her shoes how do you think she feels? And as her brother, how is Jonathan supposed to face her now? Pearce, don''t me me for being upset. Your son really crossed the line this time."  s


    Inside, Shawn''s father scoffed. All these words—wasn''t it just a fishing expedition forpensation?


    He replied, "I''ve already apologized


    to Ms. Cameron and offered her


    appropriatepensation. We''ve reached an agreement: as restitution, the Pearce Group will


    transfer twenty percent of its shares


    to Ste


    apmarket value three


    In


    days, I''ll personally hold appress conference for the public signing."  s


    His deration left Jonathan and Skyler speechless.


    Seeing their reactions, Shawn''s father smiled lightly. "Everything''s settled with Ste. If you want the details ask her I''ve got preparations to attend to for the transfer, so if you''ll excuse me."  s


    With that, he strode off briskly.


    Jonathan''s expression was a storm of conflicting emotions.