Sellers had told him that Ste was the one behind the livestream incident that had ruined his reputation. After that, he became aughingstock and was forced to resign from his position. While he was lying low, his rivals relentlessly circted his embarrassing photos and videos. Karl''s hatred for Ste now ran bone-deep.


    Being the target of such a venomous gaze, Ste felt a wave of bewilderment. She hadn''t actually done anything to him, yet he looked at her as if she had murdered his entire family. Was it because she was close to Mr. Burton, and they saw her as a threat to their interests?


    Just then, Joshua stepped forward, blocking Karl''s line of sight. "Mr. Burton, you really are a glutton for punishment. Are you determined to smash your head against a wall until it breaks?"


    Karl didn''t know Joshua''s true identity, assuming he was just a skilled bodyguard. He had no idea what Joshua was talking about. After a dismissive nce, his eyes snapped back to Ste.


    "Ste, it''s time to choose," he said tly. "Either you destroy your own hand to free Candida, or you hand her over to me."


    Ste''s eyes flickered toward her snipers, who were already in position. A small smile yed on her lips. "Karl, you''re in no position to be making deals with me."


    Before Karl could respond, Candida suddenly bit down hard on his hand. He flinched in pain and reflexively let go. He recovered quickly and lunged for her, but a fierce light glinted in Candida''s eyes. She sidestepped his grasp and yelled, "Go on, shoot me if you have the guts!"


    Karl hesitated for a fraction of a second. In that instant, a gunshot cracked through the air. His arm trembled, and the gun ttered to the ground. Joshua stood calmly nearby, a wisp of white smoke drifting from the barrel of his pistol. a shocking move, Candida, who was already free, darted back to snatch the fallen gun. She aimed it at Karl, her eyes icy. "Let us leave, or I''ll shoot!"


    Disbelief and hurt shed across Karl''s face. "Candida, do you even see who you''re pointing that at?!"


    Her expression was devoid of emotion. "The moment you kidnapped me to threaten my friend, we became mortal enemies."


    Karl knew Joshua was formidable and had brought plenty of backup. However, Candida''s unexpected actions had thrown his ns into chaos, and before he could issue a singlemand, Ste''s team had subdued all of his men. He had gravely underestimated her, assuming she was still the


    powerless woman who had to rely on others for survival. He hadn''t even arranged for an escape n.


    When it was all over, Candida turned to Ste, her face full of remorse. "I''m so sorry, Star. I''ve caused you trouble again."


    "This isn''t your fault," Ste reassured her. "He was just looking for an excuse to cause problems." But why Karl hated her so intensely remained a mystery.


    Joshua walked over. "Star, I''ve had Karl sent to the police station. With tant Kidnapping and concrete evidence, he won''t be showing his face for a very long time."


    Ste hadplete faith in Joshua''s methods, so she simply nodded without further questions. However, Karl wasn''t taken to the police station. He was sent to a mental asylum.


    When Karl woke up after having the bullet removed, he was met with a handsome, refined face. He stared for a second. "You?! Did Ste send you?!" Joshua''s voice waszy, almost casual. "Mr. Burton, didn''t yourst spectacr failure teach you anything? Why are you so determined not to learn your lesson?"