More importantly, the fact that her art was so admired meant they were kindred spirits. Ste quickly typed a reply. "Thank you. Fortunately, I''m no longer in need of money. If you truly enjoy my work, I would be happy to gift you a piece in the future when I have time to paint."


    The reply came almost instantly, as if the other person was waiting by theirputer. It was just two simple words.


    "Thank you."


    Ste smiled and closed the email. Then, she dialed Leonard''s number.


    The phone rang for a while before it was finally answered, and a man''s cold, sarcastic voice came through the line. "Well, I was beginning to think Ms. Cameron had forgotten all about the Dawnlight project."


    Ste had no patience for his games and got straight to the point. "When are you free, Mr. Lerman?"


    Leonard was busy studying the sunset painting from Summer. "Anytime," he replied dismissively.


    Ste checked her schedule. "Two days from now, ten o''clock in the morning, in front of The Auto-Mall. How does that sound, Mr. Lerman?"


    "Is Joshuaing too?" Leonard asked suddenly.


    The mention of Joshua''s name immediately put Ste on high alert. "Why?"


    Leonard heard the tension in her voice and let out a dry, unsettlingugh. "So tense. Are you afraid I might do something to him?"


    "Leonard," Ste said coldly, "you know exactly what kind of position you''re in. If you dare toy a hand on Joshua again, I promise you your situation will be far worse than it is now."


    Leonard had heard every threat imaginable, and Ste''s warning barely registered. "I''d love to see how someone who''s never even killed a man could possibly make things worse for me," he taunted.


    Ste felt that listening to him for another second would be an insult to her ears, so she simply hung up.


    Leonard nced at the disconnected call on his screen, sneered, and then dialed Aurora''s number. "Aurora, are you free the day after tomorrow?"


    Two dayster, Ste and Joshua arrived at The Auto-Mall right on time. Just as they got out of their car, another vehicle came speeding directly toward them. Ste nced at the license te and frowned in annoyance. Only Leonard was capable of such a reckless stunt He was deliberately trying to make them scramble in panic, after which he''d offer a half-hearted apology about it being "just a joke." After dealing with him for so long, Ste knew his ybook by heart.


    Joshua moved to shield Ste, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. With a flick of his wrist, he produced a handgun from seemingly nowhere and fired several shots at the car''s front tires. The vehicle, which had been hurtling toward them with aggressive intent, instantly lost control, spinning with a deafening. screech of rubber on pavernent With a final, sickening crunch, it crashed into a nearby stone pir and came to a halt.


    A few secondster, the doors flew open and Leonard and a disheveled Aurora stumbled out.


    Joshua smiled cidly. "My apologies. I was just trying to y a little joke, but it seems my hand slipped. Mr. Lerman loves these kinds of jokes, so I''m sure he understands, right?"


    Aurora''s face was pale, and her usually immacte hair had fallen loose, leaving her looking utterly flustered. She had always


    maintained wless eleg


    image and had never been seen in such a state of disarray. Leonard''s handsome face was as dark as a thundercloud. "Joshua Gardner!" he snarled through gritted teeth.