Ste turned to see Antoney escorting a distinguished older man, Mr. Burton. He was nked by several doctors in white coats who were urgently briefing him on Joshua''s condition.


    The sight of Mr. Burton brought a rush of tears to Ste''s eyes. The crushing weight on her chest eased, as if she were seeing a beloved family member.


    "Mr. Burton," she said, her voice thick as she went to meet him.


    Mr. Burton had been filled in on the way over. He ced aforting hand on Ste''s shoulder. "Ste, don''t you worry," he said in a warm, steady voice. "As long as that boy has a single breath left in him, I''ll pull him back from the brink. You can trust me with his surgery."


    Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. "Thank you, Mr. Burton. Thank you."


    She had called him on the way to the hospital, and he had agreed toe without hesitation. Entrusting Antoney to bring him had been the safest and most reliable choice.


    Harold and Jake''s tense expressions also softened with relief. Mr. Burton was a legend who had retired years ago, vowing never to set foot in an operating room again. He ran a small clinic, prescribing medicine, but it was nearly impossible to persuade him to perform surgery. His skill was beyond question; even they knew of no one better.


    As Mr. Burton disappeared into the OR, Jake nced down at his phone, a strange look crossing his face.


    "What is it?" Harold asked in a low voice.


    "I think I made a mistake," Jake muttered.


    "What happened?"


    Jake showed him the text on his phone. Harold''s eyes widened when he saw the recipient''s name.


    "Why did you call *her*?" he hissed, keeping his voice down.


    "The doctors kept saying he wasn''t going to make it," Jake whispered back. "I was worried Mr. Gardner wouldn''t pull through, so..."


    "Didn''t you know Ms. Cameron had already arranged for Mr. Burton toe?"


    "You can''t be too careful," Jake argued. "What if something had happened and Mr. Burton couldn''t make it? Were we supposed to just stand by and watch M Gardner die?"


    Harold fell silent. Jake''s logic was sound. The problem was...


    Ste still didn''t know Joshua''s true identity. The arrival of this woman could ruin everything.


    With Mr. Burton now in charge of the surgery, Ste felt a small measure of relief, her frayed nerves finally unclenching a bit.


    Antoney came to her side. "Star, how''s Keen?"


    "He''s unconscious, but stable," Haynes answered from nearby.


    Antoney shot him a disdainful look "We have Joshua to thank for that. Otherwise, Keen might not have made it. You''re his father vethis bodyguard shows more dedication


    Haynes said nothing.


    Bodyguard? Joshua''s feelings for Ste were clearly far moreplicated than that. But this wasn''t the time to argue the point.


    Just then, Ste noticed Jake and Harold whispering urgently. Harold''s presence made sense, but why was Jake here?


    Her exhausted mind finally started


    to connect the dots. She looked at Jake Mk Jake what are


    you doing


    here? Do you know Joshua, too?"


    Jake and Harold, consumed with worry for Joshua, hadpletely forgotten


    about their cover.