As a professional bodyguard, Wilbur had exceptionally sharp instincts and was more perceptive than most. Yet, despite having met Leonard several times, he had never sensed any killing intent from the supposedly dangerous man.


    Now, seeing Joshua, Wilbur was surprised because Ste''s attitude toward this man seemed different from how she treated others. On the surface, it didn''t seem like much, but in her speech, gestures, and the look in her eyes, the difference was obvious.


    Seeing Wilbur, Joshua raised an eyebrow meaningfully. He looked at Ste, his dark, deep eyes fixed on her. A smile still yed on his lips, but it carried an unexpected sense of pressure.


    "Star, this is...?"


    Ste instinctively exined, "This is Wilbur. He''s the bodyguard Abby found for me."


    Wilbur had been chosen as Ste''s bodyguard not just for his skills, but also for his quick wits. He immediately smiled and said, "Joshua, my name is Wilbur. You can just call me Wilbur, like Ste does."


    Joshua''s eyes flickered. "You know who I am?"


    "Of course," Wilbur said. "I often hear Ste and Abby talk about your amazing aplishments."


    Abby did mention Joshua often. While Ste never stopped her, she rarely brought him up herself. Joshua knew Ste well enough to see that Wilbur was just beingplimentary. He didn''t call him out on it, instead asking with a smile, "You''ve never met me, have you? How were you so sure it was me?"


    Wilbur scratched his head, smiling sheepishly. "Heh, well, not many people are as striking as you, Joshua. I recognized you at a nce."


    Joshua gave Wilbur a long look before extending an invitation. "Star and I are about to get lunch. Want to join us?"


    As Ste''s bodyguard, Wilbur''s duty was to ensure her safety. He was about to ept, but Ste spoke first.


    "No, Wilbur isn''ting with us."


    Wilbur quickly caught on and smiled. "Right, I have something else to do. I won''t join you and Joshua for lunch."


    With that, he tactfully excused himself.


    After Wilbur left, Ste''s nerves inexplicably rxed. Though her rtionship with Wilbur was strictly professional, having the two men together for some reason fel strange.


    She asked Joshua, "Joshua, what do you want to eat..."


    Ste''s voice trailed off as she caught herself. Joshua was the


    head of the Gardner family,


    no


    longer her bodyguard. She couldn treat him as casually as before.


    Ste corrected herself. "Uh... Mr. Gardner, what would you like to eat?"


    Joshua looked at her. "I still prefer it when you call me Joshua."


    Ste''s eyes flickered for a moment before she nodded lightly.


    "Okay, Joshua. What do you want to eat?"


    "I haven''t been to that bistro near here in a long time. How about we go there?" Joshua suggested.


    The bistro he mentioned was a


    simple, local ce where he andet


    Ste used to have lunch. It wasn''t far from the office, only about a fifteen-minute walk.


    "Okay," Ste agreed.


    ***


    At the restaurant, Joshua ordered their food just like he used to.


    Ste found herself in a daze for a moment. Joshua''s voice brought her back.


    "That Wilbur, is he your new bodyguard?"


    Ste returned to the present. "... Yes."


    Joshua remarked casually, "He''s pretty good-looking."