Ste thought she must have imagined it. "Nothing," she said, shaking her head.


    Just then, her phone vibrated softly.


    Abby saw her take it out and leaned over curiously. "Is that another message from ''L''?"


    After Ste''s personal information was thoroughly doxxed, several of her secret identities had been exposed, including her life as the painter ''Summer.''


    Abby would never forget the shocked and incredulous looks on the Williams family''s faces when they learned just how aplished Ste was. They seemed unable to believe that the woman they had looked down on had achieved so much in various fields.


    Aurora Williams had been particrly stunned, especially since she had once bid on one of Summer''s paintings.


    After Ste''s information was leaked, a person named Lin started sending her gifts from time to time, saying they were a thank-you for the painting Ste had given away for free.


    The gifts weren''t extravagant, but they were always thoughtful. Some were even handmade and perfectly matched Ste''s taste, making it impossible for her to refuse them.


    Even Abby was surprised by the gifts Lin sent.


    "Wow, this girl is something else. She really gets your style. No wonder she likes your paintings; you two clearly have a lot inmon."


    Ste showed Abby the message on her phone. "It is from Lin."


    Lin had sent a photo of a tabby cat.


    Abby couldn''t help butment, "Lin has taken such good care of that little stray. Its fur is so glossy and healthy, and it even looks more fierce than before."


    Three months earlier, Abby had found a tabby kitten. Since both she and Ste were too busy with work to care for a kitten, Ste had posted on social media looking for someone to adopt it.


    Less than a minute after she posted, Ste received a message from Lin, who offered to take the cat. Since then Lin had sent daily updates the tabby, and through their shared affection for the cat, she and Ste had grown closer.


    "This Lin seems so kind and talented," Abby said. "I bet she''s a really sweet girl. Have you ever thought about meeting her in person, Star?"


    Ste shook her head. "My situation is tooplicated. It''s better if we don''t meet, to avoid dragging her into my problems."


    "That''s true," Abby conceded.


    The masquerade ball held little appeal for Ste. After staying a little longer, she said to Abby, "Let''s get Wilbur and Gideon. It''s time to go home."


    "Okay," Abby agreed.


    Just as Ste and Abby left, two figures appeared in a secluded spot on the second floor of the ballroom.


    L frowned. This Ste certainly has impressive work ethic,ing up with a n that satisfied us


    within six months. But... how long has Joshua been gone? And she''s already got two handsome guys by her side. I really don''t get what Joshua sees in her. She''s not worthy of him at all."


    Laurel Quinn watched Ste''s departing figure and said calmly, "Don''t talk nonsense. They''re just her bodyguards. If she attracted Joshua, she obviously has something special about her."


    L pouted. "The one protecting Abby looks like a proper bodyguard. But the one with Ste... he doesn''t look like a bodyguard at all. Or if he is, he''s not a very professional one."


    Laurel''s expression was serene. "Ste will never be interested in anyone else. Once you''ve met. Joshua, it''s hard to feel anything for


    another man. It''s not her I''m worried about. It''s Joshua."


    L looked at Laurel, confused. "Joshua is so capable. What is there to worry about?"


    "A while ago, Dr. Chase asked me to optimize the treatment n and try to limit the duration to under six months," Laurel exined.