"That''s too many people," Ste said. "Arge group will attract too much attention. I''m not used to having so many people around me. Two is the maximum-one to protect you, and one to protect me."


    Ste had a point, so Abby Murphy had to reluctantly agree.


    Wilbur looked frail and unassuming, but he could handle himself just as well as the taller, bulkier bodyguards. In fact, he was even a step ahead of them, primarily because his appearance was so deceptive it made people lower their guard.


    As for Gideon, his build and demeanor made it obvious he was a trained fighter.


    While neither man couldpare to Joshua Gardner in terms of looks, they were both remarkably handsome among the security detail, and Abby was quite satisfied. Ste, however, didn''t feel much of anything.


    Still, when she was tired, she would asionally slip up and call Wilbur by Joshua''s


    name.


    Abby sent Wilbur and Gideon to wait at the door while she helped Ste change into her gown for the event.


    As she helped her, Abby asked, "By the way, Star, have you ever met the head of the Quinn family?


    I heard she''s a woman, and a very young one at that.


    I looked into her history, and she seems incredibly impressive."


    Ste shook her head. "Never. The person I''ve been liaising with has always been their project manager, not the head of the family."


    "For a project this big, the head of the family doesn''t even make an appearance..... Is she really that confident?" Abby said. "There are rumors everywhere that you have some secret connection to the Quinns, and that''s how you got the partnership... You''d think she''d show up to clear the air, wouldn''t you?"


    Ste adjusted her gown. "To be honest, Abby... I''ve been thinking the same thing." Abby paused. "Huh?"


    "I feel like this project was intentionally given to me," Ste said. "Maybe even specifically earmarked for me. Otherwise, knowing the Williams family, they would never have handed over such a massive project to me so easily."


    Abby looked at her, puzzled. "Star, do you know someone from the Quinn family?"


    Ste shook her head. "No."


    "Then why would they give the project to you?"


    "I''m not sure," Ste said. "But no


    matter


    what, this is an opportunity


    for me. Even if it''s a trap, I''m willing


    to walk into it and see."


    Abby''s gaze was filled with a mix of emotions-admiration, a hint of mncholy, and genuine happiness for her friend.


    "Star, you''ve really changed so much."


    The Ste of the past disliked


    Det


    change and risk, content to stay at raise


    He and family The Stelle


    of today was willing to take chances, even punching far above her weight.


    Compared to her and Antoney Watson, Joshua hadn''t been in Ste''s life for very


    long, but no one had ever changed her more.


    After changing, Ste put on the mask Abby had chosen for her.


    "This is my first time at a masquerade ball," Ste said. "I wonder why the Quinn family suddenly decided to host one."


    "These foreign families have all sorts


    of entricities, I guess," Abby replied. "But Wilbur and Gideon have already checked everything out. It should be safe."  t?


    "That''s good," Ste said. "Not knowing anyone''s face or identity should save us from a lot of unwanted attention."


    Abby changed into her own gown, put on her mask, and entered the ballroom with Ste.


    Stepping into the hall felt like walking into another world, where no one''s real face or name mattered.


    Ste wasn''t particrly interested in this type of event, but she had no choice when it came toworking and social obligations.


    They had only been in the ballroom for a few moments when a figure suddenly appeared before Ste and asked her to dance.