L sent a message: "So, to you, am I someone who is worth it?"


    Before Ste could reply, her phone suddenly rang. She nced at the caller ID and saw that it was Neville Connolly, whom she hadn''t seen in a long time.


    Ste''s expression tensed slightly as she answered the call.


    "Neville."


    Neville''s voice was heavy. "I''m sorry to bother you, Star."


    Ste''s heart skipped a beat; she had a sinking feeling. She asked softly, "What happened?"


    She and Neville hadn''t been in contact much recently. She had heard from Marvin Connolly that Grandma Connolly''s health was starting to deteriorate. Grandma Connolly had lived her entire life in Aetheria and wanted to spend her final days there. For the past while, Neville and Marvin had been in Aetheria, taking care of her.


    Some time ago, when Neville had heard that Ste was in trouble, he had called to ask if she needed help. He had only been reassured after learning that Ste had things under control.


    Neville said, "Grandma... she might not have much time left. She wants to see you onest time. I''m sorry, Star, I know it''s a lot to ask, but I need you toe."


    Thinking of the kind old woman, Ste''s heart ached. She agreed without a moment''s hesitation. "Okay, I''ll be there right away."


    Hearing Ste agree so readily, without even a pause, the other end of the line went quiet for a moment. After a while, Neville''s slightly hoarse voice came through.


    "Star, thank you."


    Ste managed a small smile. "There''s no need for such formalities between us."


    After hanging up, Ste immediately had her secretary arrange a private jet to Aetheria. Then, she went to Joshua''s office to tell him the news.


    Joshua''s eyes flickered when he heard. "Neville is in Aetheria now?"


    Ste said Yes, he was based in Aetheria before he came back to Novaris, Grandma Connolly has always lived in Aetheria, and she wants to return to her hometown for her final days."


    Ste noticed that Joshua wasn''t agreeing immediately as he usually would. Instead, he seemed distracted.


    Ste found it strange. "Joshua, what''s wrong? Is it inconvenient for you?"


    Joshua quickly snapped out of it. "No. When do we leave?"


    Ste said, "Tonight. We''ll go home to pack our things in a bit."


    Joshua said, "Okay."


    Back in her office, Ste finished up thest of her work and took a moment to reply to L''s message.


    "L, I''m sorry, something hase up. I''ll talk to you when I''m done."


    Leonard, who had been waiting for a long time, felt a surge of annoyance at the message he finally received Ste''s tone didn''t sound like she was talking to a friend, but more like she was addressing a child going through some teenage angst.


    Leonard didn''t reply. Instead, he picked up his binocrs and looked toward the building opposite.


    Ste was putting on her coat, looking like she was about to leave thepany. Leonard''s lips tightened into a thin line. He felt an inexplicable irritation. Israel''s matter had been settled for a while now; what was Ste so busy with all the time? Just then, the phone he had tossed on his desk began to ring. Leonard quickly picked it up, realizing it wasn''t a message, but a call from an unsaved number.


    His face darkened as he answered the call.


    "Who is this?" Sherman''s usatory voice came from the other end of the line.


    "Leonard, weren''t you going to help teach Ste a lesson? Why haven''t you done anything? I heard from Israel today that Ste is still Working at The Williams Group looking as pleased as punch."