Haynes''s blunt rejection had been a blow to Queenie''s pride, but she wasn''t ready to give up.


    She had asked Aurora to find a way to keep Keen at the manor longer, giving her more time with Haynes. But before she could formte a new n, Keen was kidnapped.


    A short while ago, she had gone to find Haynes, intending to offer somefort, but overheard his argument with Ste. Ste had refused to trade the man responsible for her son''s safety. It was clear she couldn''t bear to part with Joshua.


    For a moment, Queenie was tempted to expose Joshua''s true identity right then and there, to show Ste that the man she was protecting didn''t need her protection at all. But her rational mind held her back. It was better to let Haynes see Ste''s true colors for himself. Perhaps then he would finally give up on her. And Joshua... his silence proved he wasn''t truly loyal to Ste either. If Keen died, Ste''s rtionship with both men would be shattered.


    But hearing Ste''s dismissive tone now, a hot rage ignited within her. This fake heiress who had charmed her grandfather out of his resources, this woman who would choose a man over her own son-who was she to lecture her?


    Fueled by indignation, Queenie raised her hand and swung hard at Ste''s face.


    But before the blow couldnd, Ste caught her wrist. With a swift movement, she reversed the motion and pped Queenie so hard she stumbled and fell to the floor.


    *p!*


    Aurora, who had just helped Israel into a chair, heard Queenie''s cry. She turned to see Queenie on the ground and rushed to her side.


    "Queenie!" she eximed, helping her up. Her usually gentle face was now hard with anger as she looked at Ste. “Ste, I know you''re upset about Keen, but this is too much! You broke my brother''s arm, and now you''ve struck Queenie? She is a guest in this house. Is this how you treat our guests?"


    Ste looked at them both coldly. "She started it. If you''re a guest, you should act like one. I''ve never heard of a guest who thinks they can strike the host in their own home. I''m letting her off for Mr. With a p Burton''s sake. If there''s a next time, I won''t be so lenient."


    With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Aurora staring after her, her eyes as cold as frost.


    Back in her room, the icy mask fell from Ste''s face. She turned to Joshua. "Don''t take what Haynes said to heart. None of this is your fault."


    "You don''t me me?" Joshua asked, his eyes searching hers.


    "You weren''t the one who kidnapped him. Why would I me you?"


    "But if it weren''t for me, Gibson wouldn''t have taken Keen," he insisted.


    At that, a thoughtful expression crossed Ste''s face. "Something about this is strange. Gibson pressured me to hand you over before but after I exposed what


    Stuart did he seemed to<fn6668> Latest content published on f?ndnovel</fn6668>


    diff


    back off He''s been quiet for so long... wonder if something happened to provoke him, to push him over the edge."