Antoney nced at her. "How else would you exin it? He doesn''t need the money, yet he stays by her side. This time, he almost died at Gibson''s hands to save her and Keen. Before that, he repeatedly went after Leonard to get revenge for her. It was Joshua who cut off Leonard''s hand. With all that, do you still think they''re just boss and subordinate, or just really good friends?"


    Abby mumbled, "Well, Joshua has done a lot for Star, but she''s been amazing to him too. Have you ever seen her put so much effort into anyone else? Making up for all his missed birthdays with handmade gifts... Haynes never got that treatment. Star is an incredible person, so it''s only natural for Joshua to like her. Take today, for instance. Anyone would have beenpletely won over by a gesture like that. It just shows how charismatic she is..."


    Her voice trailed off as she, too, realized something was off.


    She got that Joshua has a thing for Star, but wasn''t Star being a little too... attentive to him?


    When Ste had been looking after Foreman, she had asked Abby to stay with her to avoid the awkwardness of being alone with him.


    But this time, with Joshua kidnapped, Ste hadn''t even told her. The difference in treatment was too stark.


    "No way," Abby murmured. "You don''t think Star might..."


    "With everything unresolved with the Williams family, I doubt Star is ready to jump into another rtionship," Antoney said. "Besides, after everything she''s been through, she''s not going to fall for someone easily."


    But...


    Antoney''s worried reflection appeared on the windshield. Matters of the heart are rarely so easy to control. The people who are slowest to fall are often the ones who fall the hardest. Ste had never been in a real rtionship; she probably didn''t even know what love truly felt like.


    Back at the Williams Manor, Joshua was carrying severalrge bags filled with gifts. It was Ste''s birthday, yet he had received more presents than she had. The bags were heavy, but he managed them on his own.


    Ste carried her own gifts. As they passed his room, Joshua suddenly said, "Star, wait here a moment."


    She stopped. Joshua disappeared into his room to drop off the gifts and re- emerged with a brocade box. "Star, this is my gift to you."


    vel


    It was clear he hadn''t brought it to the party. Ste took the gift, her eyes flickering with curiosity. The box was made of wood and emanated a faint, pleasant fragrance. Just by its appearance, she could tell it was expensive.


    Joshua took the bags from her hands. "I''ll walk you to your room."


    "Okay."


    It wasn''t the first time Joshua had been in her room. He ced the gifts on her


    table, then turned to her. "Star, why don''t you see if you like my gift?"


    Ste was indeed curious about the present he had kept hidden.


    She nodded and gently opened the box. Insidey a jade pendant, intricately carved with an ancient,plex pattern. It was clear and translucent, and as the light caught it, the interior seemed to shimmer as if water were flowing within, giving it a serene and profound depth The ancient design exuded an air of history and significance; it was


    clearly no ordinary object.


    "This is..." Ste began.


    "Pendants like this are said to ward off evil, bring peace of mind, and are good for one''s health," Joshua exined.


    Ste found it hard to imagine Joshua giving her a jade pendant. It seemed like such an old-fashioned gift, the kind one might give in ancient times.