At the mention of Joshua, the smile on Neville''s face faded.


    He had to admit,pared to Foreman, Joshua was the real threat. He even suspected Joshua had a hand in the scheme that had recently targeted him.


    Just as the thought crossed his mind, the lights in the room suddenly dimmed. A soft glow flickered to life in the darkness. A man with a chiseled, statuesque profile emerged, his features traced by the warm, yellow light of candles, melting into the surrounding shadows. The candlelight danced before his eyes, his longshes casting delicate shadows like stars falling into a deep pool. In the intery of light and dark, he smiled at Ste, and it felt as if the entire world had fallen silent.


    "Star, happy birthday."


    Ste''s pupils reflected the man''s impossibly handsome face. She found herself momentarily mesmerized, her heartbeat stumbling out of rhythm.


    Just then, the overhead lights shed back on. Party poppers went off with a series of loud bangs, showering them in a cascade of colorful confetti. Marvin and Keen had appeared at Ste''s side, each holding a popper, looking like two little page boys. It was clear this was a job orchestrated by Joshua.


    Seeing their own sons helping their rival create a romantic atmosphere, both Haynes and Neville felt aplex mix of emotions.


    Abby, oblivious to the strange tension, grinned. "Well done, boys! You really know how to surprise Star. It''s no wonder she''s always so good to you." Then, she put on a mock-serious face. "Joshua, I''m starting to get jealous of you."


    Steughed. "Alright, Abby, stop teasing him."


    Abby pointed between them yfully. "I only tease him for two seconds and you''re already defending him? You two... something''s going on here!"


    However, aside from her, no one else wasughing.


    Abby blinked. "What?" The grin froze on her face. "Uh... I was just kidding."


    Thankfully, Keen and Marvin, too young to understand the


    undercurrents, rushed to Ste''s side, urging her to make a wish. Ste didn''t really believe in wishes anymore Every wish she hadmade in the years prior had been shattered by Rachel Pearce''s arrival. But with so many people celebrating with her, she didn''t want to spoil the mood. She closed her eyes with a smile and made a wish.


    Afterward, she blew out the candles and began to serve the cake.


    The party was a lively affair, held at a rented venue. Ste had no desire to


    celebrate at the Williams Manor and risk having her mood ruined on her special day.


    As the party was winding down,


    Ste suddenly announced, "I didn''t get Joshua a gift for his birthday when it passed. So today,


    prepared something to make it up to him."


    Abby smiled. "Joshua, I got you a gift too!"


    She and Antoney presented their presents. Keen and Marvin quickly followed suit, revealing they had alsoe prepared. It was obvious Ste had given them a heads-up.


    Though Candida and Lauretta didn''t


    know Joshua well, they had also


    brought gifts out of politeness. As


    for Haynes and Neville, they were


    not without grace and were Certainly not above giving a gift.