Ste had a few options for a date; Neville Connolly and Antoney Watson both came to mind. However, her gaze fell on Joshua, who was waiting quietly beside her.


    As her bodyguard, Joshua would have to attend anyway. Thest time she went to a g with Neville, Joshua had stood alone in a corner. No matter who she chose as her escort, Joshua would be there, so why not just ask him? Why go out of her way to ask Neville and waste his time when she had a perfectly good option right here? After all, Joshua was with her most of the time.


    Besides, his looks and charisma were second to none, easily matching any of the blue-blooded bachelors in their circle. With that thought, Ste asked, "Joshua, how about you be my escort from now on?"


    Joshua''s eyes lit up. "From now on, Star? You want me to be your date for all of them?"


    "Yes," she said. "I''m tired of having to find someone at thest minute for every event. Since you always have toe with me anyway, would you be willing to be my official escort?"


    Joshua''s lips curved into a smile. "Of course."


    With the arrangement settled, Joshua left, thoroughly pleased.


    The Chapman family was a crucial partner and future inw to the Williams family, so everyone was required to attend Old Mr. Chapman''s birthday g. Ste had heard from Skyler Williams that the Chapmans nned to announce the engagement date for Jonathan Williams and Lauretta Chapman at the event.


    Soon, the night of the g arrived. Among the great families, only Mr. Burton and Old Mr. Chapman remained of the older generation. Old Mr. Chapman was a highly respected figure, and nearly every prominent family hade to celebrate with him. That evening, Ste arrived at the venue with the rest of the Williams n.


    The ballroom was already bustling with guests, their sses clinking in a symphony of celebration. For


    asions requiring a date, Skyl


    usually brought his secretary to maintain his public image as a devoted man. Jonathan had arrived earlier as Lautetta was his date Ste didnt recognize the women Israel and Coleman Williams brought, but she knew Israel''s potential engagement with the Chapman family was all but


    impossible now.


    Aurora hadn''t arrived with the Williamses either. Her escort for the evening was


    Sellers Burton, who had picked her up early.


    Lauretta spotted Ste the moment she walked in. Excusing herself from the circle


    of friends she was with, she hurried over. "Star, you''re here."


    Ste nodded, her eyes scanning the


    crowd. Jonathan was a center of attention tonight, surrounded by group of business elites. Lauretta followed her gaze, and the smile on her face slowly faded, Star Om sorry," she whispered.


    Ste shook her head gently. "I''m the one who should be sorry."


    Even though Lauretta had seen through the Williams family''s hypocrisy and no longer wanted to marry Jonathan, as the heiress of a powerful family, she had no freedom to choose yer onghustband alliance between families involved too many interests for either of them to simply call it off.


    By unspoken agreement, they changed the subject. Lauretta turned to Joshua, who stood beside Ste, and smiled. "Hello, Mr. Gardner."


    Joshua returned the smile. "Star''s friends call me Joshua. Please, feel free to do the same, Ms. Chapman."


    Aplex emotion flickered in Lauretta''s eyes. She had never seen Star put so much effort into celebrating someone''s birthday before.