It was from Lauretta Chapman.


    "Star, are you busytely?"


    Lauretta knew nothing about Keen''s kidnapping. Other than Antoney, Ste hadn''t even told Abby or Neville Connolly. The crisis was over, and there was no sense in worrying them now.


    At that moment, Ste was in Joshua''s hospital room, working. Since joining The Williams Group, her workload had actually be lighter. Skyler had yet to give her or Aurora an official position, so she only had to manage her originalpany''s affairs. There were no major projects at the moment, and she could delegate the smaller ones after a quick review.


    She nced at Joshua''s still form, then stepped out of the room.


    "I''m not too busy," Ste said. "Lauretta, is there something I can help you with?"


    Lauretta hesitated. "Star, do you remember that buyer you met back in college when you were selling your paintings?"


    "Yes, I remember," Ste said. "I was desperate for money back then. I heard he bought all my subsequent pieces. Even when I raised the price, he bought them without a second thought and even gave me an extra fifty thousand. It really helped me out of a tight spot."


    "Well," Lauretta said, "the ssmate who helped you sell them contacted me recently. He said the buyer wants to purchase more of your work and was wondering if you''d be willing to sell him a few pieces."


    Lauretta had been the one to arrange the sale of Ste''s paintings; back then, Ste had no connections. She was just starting out, and getting her work into an exhibition at all was a favor from Lauretta. Fortunately, though she was unknown, her work had a spark. Even tucked away in a forgotten corner, her first piece sold on opening day.


    Hearing that it was the same buyer, Ste agreed without hesitation. "Of course. I can paint a few pieces as a gift to thank him for his support back then."


    "Star, thank you," Lauretta said softly.


    Ste smiled. "It''s nothing. Why thank me? If anything, I should be thanking you for helping me sell my art in the first ce."


    Even without Lauretta saying it, Ste knew that for the buyer to have tracked her down through their old ssmate, he must be someone with influence. Her left hand was ruined, but she could still paint with money now, she could consider it a gesture of gratitude for his early faith in her.


    her right. She didn''t need the


    "Don''t worry, Star," Lauretta added. "My ssmate and I will keep your identity strictly confidential."


    "Okay," Ste said. "I''ll have someone deliver the paintings once they''re done."


    f.n


    "No need. Just give me a call, and I''ll send someone to pick them up." Lauretta''s tone then grew serious. "Star, my ssmate told me the buyer has been looking for you for a while. He tried to protect your privacy but the buyer put pressure on his family. He had no choice but toe to me. If you want to keep your identity private, you should be careful."


    Ste''s desire for privacy was more about avoiding disturbances than hiding anything. There was nothing shameful about being the artist


    ''summer''.


    "I understand," Ste said. "If anythinges up, let me know."


    ...


    At the Lerman estate.


    Leonard had just hung up with Israel when his assistant called with a report.