Beneath the table, Foreman''s hands balled into fists. The more he looked at Joshua, the more he loathed him. He had to get rid of this man.


    Over dinner, Ste and Foreman chatted about recent events, catching up on news about Keen O''Brien and Haynes. They talked for a long time, but Ste never once mentioned Leonard. Even when Foreman subtly steered the conversation in that direction, she remained silent on the n to rob him.


    Foreman knew it wasn''t because Joshua was present; Antoney''s text made it clear that Joshua was part of the operation. The simple, painful truth was... she didn''t want him to know.


    Dinner soon concluded. Joshua drove Foreman back to his hotel.


    As he got out of the car, Foreman maintained his charming facade. "Star, I''ll head in now. If you need my help with anything, don''t hesitate to ask."


    "I will," Ste promised.


    As the car pulled away, the smile melted from Foreman''s face, reced by a cold, grim mask. *It must have been Joshua who told her not to tell me.*


    He had to be eliminated.<fn4b78> Content originallyes from find~novel</fn4b78>


    Back in his room, Foreman connected hisptop and began essing the data from Ste''s phone. He quickly learned the full details of her n. The room was dark, save for the eerie glow of the screen illuminating his emotionless face.


    Under the cover of night, a detailed map of the Lerman estate was delivered to Joshua. He wasn''t foolish enough to charge in blindly. The estate''s security wasparable to a royal pce; entry required careful nning and deployment.


    Ste studied her copy of the map, her brow furrowed. "The estate has this many traps?"


    Joshua''s focused gaze remained on the map. "These are just the known ones. There are likely many more we don''t know about, not to mention other variables."


    "Joshua," Ste said, her voice serious, "avoid a direct fight if you can. If you can''t get Abby out, don''t force it. Your safety is the top priority."


    At her words, Joshua''s eyes


    softened. He put down the map and looked at her seeing the genuine worry in her eyes. A faint smile touched his lips, and a gentle light flickered in his own.  s


    "Don''t worry," he said softly. "I know what I''m doing."


    Seeing thete hour, Ste said, "It''s gettingte. We should rest."


    Joshua folded the map. "Alright."


    ...


    Time flew by, and the night of the operation arrived. Antoney and his team were in position.


    "Star, stay away from the transaction point," he told her before they parted ways. "I don''t want you getting caught in the crossfire."


    Ste thought for a moment and nodded. Antoney would lead the raid while Joshua went for Abby She would act as the central coordinator, ready to suppor@either team if something went wrong.  s


    "Okay. Call me the second anything happens."


    "How is Joshua''s team?" Antoney asked. "You don''t think they''ll run into too much trouble, do you?"


    "If we seed in stealing the


    shipment, Leonard will get the news immediately and leave the estate, Ste reasoned" That should make things safe for Joshua and Abby."  s