Before Ste could answer, another knock sounded on the office door.


    "Come in," Ste said, and a tall, slender figure walked slowly into the room.


    Joshua''s gaze swept the room andnded on Haynes.


    "Mr. O''Brien," he said by way of greeting. "It''s been a while."


    Haynes didn''t respond. His sharp, deep eyes were fixed on Joshua, studying him as if trying to see through him.


    Meeting Haynes''s intense gaze, Joshua raised an eyebrow. "Is there something you need, Mr. O''Brien? You seem to have something on your mind."


    Haynes was not one to lose hisposure. He wouldn''t make any usations until everything wasid bare. He said calmly, "I was about to ask Star to apany me somewhere. If you''re free, you shoulde along."


    Hearing this, Ste couldn''t help but nce at Haynes. He wasn''t even trying to get her alone, away from Joshua.


    Noticing her look, Haynes turned to her. "Star, what do you think?"


    Ste thought for a moment and gave a slight nod. "Alright."


    A direct confrontation, with Joshua present, was for the best. Though she trusted Joshua, she was tired of hearing others nder him.


    She stood up. "Let''s go."


    The three of them left the office together. Joshua walked silently behind Ste, not asking where they were going.


    They got into Haynes''s car, and the ride was tense and silent. No one spoke a word. After about forty minutes, Haynes''s car pulled up in front of a sanatorium. The facility was in a secluded area, with tranquil surroundings perfect for recovery.


    Haynes led them to a private cottage, where two bodyguards stood watch outside the door. Seeing Haynes, they bowed respectfully.


    "Mr. O''Brien."


    Haynes nodded and walked into the cottage, stopping in front of a closed door. He knocked a few times, then pushed it open and went inside.


    Upon entering the room, Ste saw Foreman sitting in a chair. His eyes lit up when he saw her. He immediately stood and walked toward her. "Star, you''re here..."


    His words trailed off as he saw Joshua enter behind Ste. Foreman''s expression froze, then twisted into a re of undisguised hatred.


    "Joshua, you have the audacity to show your face here?!"


    Joshua''s voice was low and steady. "If Mr. Richards has the nerve to be here, why shouldn''t I?"


    Foreman pointed a trembling finger at him. "You''ve caused Star so much pain, yet you pretend to be a good


    person


    tricking her into trusting you! Tell me what is your real motive for staying by her side?!"


    Foreman''s face was contorted with fury. "Don''t even think about walking out of this room alive unless youe clean today!"


    Joshua''s eyes darkened, their depths bing instantly murky. Foreman knew the whole truth, but unlike Haynes, hecked the patience for a calm reveal.


    "Joshua," Foreman spat, his voiceced with venom, "Rachel has confessed everything, all of your evil deeds You''re a menace,


    and you


    won''t get away with hiding by Stars side to harm her!"


    He then turned to Ste, his voice urgent. "Star,e over here, quickly. Let''s get away from this madman. Don''t worry as long as I''m here, I won''t let him hurt you.


    But Ste remained where she was, her expression perfectlyposed.


    Foreman''s anger began to curdle into disbelief as he stared at her.


    "Star, don''t tell me, after all this, you still believe this liar!"