Aurora knew Leonard had gotten the message. She offered a slight smile and turned to leave, but then paused as if remembering something.


    She looked back at him, her voice soft with encouragement. "Leonard, you made it through so much hardship in the past. I''m certain you''ll be able to make aeback this time, too."


    Leonard remained silent. Unbothered, Aurora turned and gracefully walked away.


    Moments after she left, azy, clean voice drifted from a nearby corner. "Leonard, you know what kind of person Aurora is. Why do you insist on torturing yourself?"


    Leonard turned to find Joshua leaning nonchntly against a pir of a nearby pavilion. A cold sneer formed on Leonard''s lips. "Shouldn''t you be sticking close to Ste? Aren''t you afraid someone will harm her if you leave her alone at the party?"


    Joshua smiled faintly. "Every rtionship needs a little personal space. Star isn''t a porcin doll; she can protect herself. Of course, as long as I keep an eye on Mr. Lerman, the person most likely to hurt her, no one else would be insane enough to try anything in front of all these people."


    Leonard scoffed. "Insane? And you weren''t insane when you killed Stuart Gibson in front of everyone? Joshua, don''t pretend to be so righteous. Your methods are just as ruthless as mine, if not more so."


    ????


    Joshua didn''t seem offended. Instead, he nodded lightly. "You have a point. However, the biggest difference between you and me that I won''t personallyy a hand on a woman unless she crossesmy ultimate line. So, Mr. Lerman, you can rest assured No matter how much dislike. Aurora as long as she doesn''t provoke me, I couldn''t care less about her. But you, Mr. Lerman..."


    Joshua''s thin lips curved into an enigmatic smile. "You''ve done all sorts of dirty work for Aurora, yet she hasn''t given you anything in return. In fact, the moment you stumble, she can''t wait to cast you aside, afraid that associating with you might tarnish her reputation."


    "The things I do for Aurora are not for someughable reward," Leonard retorted coldly. "And you? You im to be so devoted to Ste, but aren''t you also seeking something in return? If Ste didn''t give you what you wanted, would you still do so much for her?"


    Joshua didn''t deny it. "No


    rtionship is a one-way street. Not family, not friends, not lovers. Even in business, if you don''t offer a return why would anyone partner


    with you? Leonard, don''t Partel


    yourself, as so noble and selfless She refused every invitation to dinner, every meeting, every event, and never returned your calls or messages, how long would your devotionst? Admit it, Leonard. You need a return on your investment, too. The only difference is that the return you get from Aurora is pitifully small."


    Who doesn''t want something back from the person they love? People are greedy by nature. The more you get, the more you want. You might start out thinking that just being friends is enough, but then you want to hold a special ce in their heart. Eventually, you desperately want want them to love you back. Love is, by its very nature, exclusive and


    avaricious.


    This time, Leonard had no rebuttal.