Joshua walked over to Ste and suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace. Ste froze for a second, caught off guard. She heard his voice, deeper and huskier than usual, whisper in her ear, "Star, thank you."


    His grip seemed to lose control, holding her so tightly it felt as if he were trying to merge her into his very being.


    Ste could clearly feel the frantic rhythm of his heartbeat, his ragged breathing, and the slight trembling of his body. Even if the others couldn''t see his face, they could sense his overwhelming emotion and loss ofposure.


    While Joshua''s gesture was bold, at that moment, no one saw it as merely romantic. Anyone who received such a gift would have reacted the same way, perhaps even more emotionally.


    Though it was Ste''s birthday, Joshua had be the center of attention.


    It was clear she had used her own celebration as an excuse to give him one. The depth of her care was enough to make anyone jealous.


    Haynes and Neville watched the scene unfold, their expressions grim. Even Leonard, observing through his binocrs from afar, found the sight irritating. He unconsciously tightened his grip on the device, which creaked under the pressure, threatening to crack.


    He had treated Aurora no worse than Joshua treated Ste. Why did Joshua get this, and he got nothing?


    On impulse, Leonard dialed Aurora''s number. "Aurora, I want a bted birthday celebration."


    After the party ended, everyone went their separate ways. Ste and Joshua headed back to the manor together, while Antoney drove Abby home.


    Darkness enveloped them as the scenery along the road blurred past. Antoney drove while Abby hummed a cheerful tune.


    "When did Star and Joshua get so close?" Antoney asked.


    "They''ve always been this close," Abby replied.


    Having known Abby for a long time, Antoney didn''t bother beating around the bush. "Don''t you think their closeness has gone beyond the boundaries of normal friendship?"


    "Well, they aren''t normal friends," Abby said. "Joshua is her personal bodyguard and has been through fire and water for her. Of course they''re closer than most people. She thought for a moment, then added, "Even though they haven''t known each other for that long, I''d say Star cares about Joshua as much as she cares about us."


    Antoney was speechless for a moment before letting out a soft sigh. "Abby, have you ever stopped to think why Joshua would risk his life for Star? Is it just because she pays him well? Don''t you think the help he gives her goes far beyond an employer-employee rtionship, or even a friendship?" He continued, "I heard from Star that when she needed arge sum of money to acquire the Pearce Group, Joshua called in a favor and got her fifty billion. Do you really think a man who can give away fifty billion


    without blinking an eye cares about a bodyguard''s sry?"


    Abby was stunned. "What? Joshua was the one who helped with the fifty billion?"


    "Yes, Star told me herself, so it''s


    definitely true. And that so-called investor is an acquaintance of Joshua''s Joshua He visited frequently in the hospital, they


    seemed very close."


    At this point, even someone as oblivious as Abby could sense that something was


    unusual. "Are you trying to say... Joshua likes Star?"