Ste couldn''t be happier to have Aurora take the annoying Leonard away.


    She nodded slightly.


    After Leonard and Aurora left, Ste decided to head to the back garden anyway. Joshua had been gone for a little too long, and she was starting to worry.


    From what Leonard had said, it was clear Laurel Quinn was no one to take lightly. Even though Ste had confidence in Joshua''s abilities, she didn''t dare underestimate her.


    ***


    Out in the back garden, everything was quiet and still.


    Laurel Quinn looked at the man beside her with aplex expression and said softly, "Joshua, it''s been a long time."


    Joshua nodded slightly. "I already know about the partnership between Star and the Quinn family. Thank you for giving her such arge contract."


    Laurel looked at his handsome face and sighed.


    "You don''t have to be so formal with me. If it weren''t for your help back then, I never would have be the head of my family. It''s just one contract, not even a fraction of what you did for me. Besides, if she hadn''t met my standards, I wouldn''t have worked with her. In a way, I just gave her an opportunity, just like you introduced her to people earlier. Whether she can seize it is up to her."


    Joshua didn''t reject her kindness. Instead, he asked, "How have you been all these years?"


    Laurel gazed at the shadows cast by the trees and flowers on the ground.


    "Same as always. Busy every day. I used to think that with supreme power, I could get everything I wanted. But now that I have it, I find it''s not as wonderful as I imagined."


    Joshua turned to look at her. "Do you regret it?"


    Laurel didn''t deny it. "A little... but I think that''s just how people are. We always think the other side has it better. If I hadn''t be the family head, I probably would have thought that was the best thing in the world."


    "You seem to have a clear perspective on it," Joshuamented.


    "Being clear-eyed is pretty useless, Laurel said. "Everyone knows better in theory, but actually living that way is a whole different story."


    She looked up at his refined, handsome features. "Aren''t you the same?"


    Joshua didn''t speak.


    Laurel''s expression turned serious. "Joshua, I came to find you this time because I wanted to ask you something."


    "What is it?" Joshua asked.


    Laurel said, "My treatment n required a minimum of one year. Why did you end your treatment so soon?"


    She didn''t hide the fact that she was the one who had designed the n. She knew that even if she tried someone as sharp as Joshua would figure it out.


    Joshua''s long eyshes cast a faint shadow on his face.


    "Because I was cured, naturally," he said.


    Laurel''s eyes filled with concern. "I know your condition. It''s impossible for it to be over so quickly."


    Joshua turned to look at her. "Passive treatment takes longer. I was actively cooperating, so of course it was more effective."


    "That may be true, but..." Laurel''s voice trailed off.


    It was true in the past, Joshua had always seemed to be passively undergoing treatment, never actively participating. She had no idea how effective it would be it he fully cooperated.


    Just then, Joshua seemed to hear a sound.


    He turned his head to look.


    In an instant, his eyes became like ake filled with starlight, and the corners of his


    lips unconsciously curved into a gentle smile.


    "Star."