She knew that if she wanted to reach the finish line, it would take twice as much effort as anyone else.


    But for them, with all those advantages on their side, maybe they''d only need to give half as much to get there.


    Ste hadn''t expected Haynes tofort her like this.


    This was something she used to long for, something she''d never been able to get, no matter how hard she tried.


    Even though she no longer loved Haynes, hearing those words still stirred something inside her that she couldn''t quite suppress.


    Softly, she said, "Thank you, Haynes."


    Haynes studied her face, now noticeably thinner. "You used to tell me not to push myself too hard, to take care of my health. You should do the same now."


    "I know," Ste replied quietly.


    Just then, someone knocked gently at the office door.


    A young man-handsome, impably dressed-walked in, carrying a stack of folders.


    "Star, here''s your schedule for next week. Take a look and let me know if there''s anything you''d rather skip."


    It was Joshua Gardner.


    He nced at Haynes, who was sitting on the sofa, and shed him a faint, almost mocking smile. "Mr. Richards''spany is on the brink of copse, and yet Mr. O''Brien still has the leisure to sit here and drink tea?"


    The words were calcted to provoke.


    Haynes couldn''t be bothered to respond. Instead, he turned back to Ste. "That''s basically the situation on his end. If I hear anything else, I''ll let you know right away."


    Ste took the schedule from Joshua. "Thank you. I appreciate it."


    Haynes stood, his usually cool expression softened for just a moment. "Star, I''m looking forward to working with you."


    He didn''t linger, and after saying goodbye to Ste, he left the office.


    He knew Ste well enough to understand she couldn''t stand men who clung and pestered So he


    wouldn''t cling-but be also wouldn''t give up.  s


    If she could hold onto a marriage for five long years, why couldn''t he persist as well?


    He had just reached the elevator when Joshua''s calm voice sounded behind him. "Haynes."


    He turned. "What is it?"


    tonew


    Joshua''s tone was mild, but his words were sharp. "There''s something I''ve always wondered


    about. By all rights, Foreman et


    only


    helps Star because of you-because of your friendship, MO O''Brien So why is it that when Leonard made his move, he targeted Foreman first and not you? How do you exin that?"  s


    Haynes''s eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Joshua.


    Suddenly, he asked, "Who are you, really?"


    He couldn''t shake the feeling that the man before him was anything but a simple assistant or bodyguard.


    Joshua was clever-so clever that it had taken only a few months for Ste to trust him implicitly.


    Jealousy was part of it, but more than that, Haynes was wary.


    Because up to now, he still hadn''t been able to find out who Joshua really was.


    And if this man ever turned on them, Ste would be in danger.


    But at this point, Haynes no longer had the right to drive him away.


    Joshua, of course, picked up on the meaning behind his words. "Me? I''m just someone who wants to protect her."<fn4927> The rightful source is Find1Novel</fn4927>


    Haynes''s gaze was icy. "Whether you''re really protecting her or have


    something else in mind remain 14


    be seen


    s


    Joshua gave a quiet, almost amusedugh. "You''re not wrong. I do have my own


    agenda when ites to her."


    Haynes''s eyes narrowed further. "And what exactly do you want from her?"