Seeing Joshua''s expression, Laurel''s eyes widened in stunned silence.


    She never thought she would see such a gentle look on Joshua''s face.


    Laurel stared at him, a strange feeling rising in her heart. She had known Joshua for so many years. They had not only been husband and wife but also partners who fought side-by-side. She had always thought she understood him.


    But at this moment, Laurel felt a dizzying sense that the man before her was aplete stranger, as if she had never known him at all.


    Ste felt a wave of relief wash over her when she saw that Joshua was unharmed. Her gaze swept over to a slender figure standing not far away.


    The woman wore a deep blue evening gown that seemed to catch every hint of moonlight, making her look like something rare and untouchable.


    Because she was standing in the shadows, Ste couldn''t see her face clearly. But she knew this must be the person Leonard had mentioned the head of the Quinn family, Laurel Quinn, the one who had given her a massive contract.


    Ste said softly, "Joshua, am I interrupting?"


    "Not at all," Joshua replied.


    Seeing Ste''s curious nces toward Laurel, Joshua smiled. "Star, let me introduce you two."


    Laurel Quinn, who had been standing in the shadows, stepped forward. The hem of her dress moved like faint ripples on ake.


    Her eyes were deep and icy, devoid of warmth. Her skin was fair, a cool ivory tone like fresh snow. Her features were almost too perfect, all clean lines and angles, with a cutting kind of beauty that even outshone Aurora.


    Of all the beautiful women Ste had seen, she was easily one of the most striking. However, the aura she exuded was so cold, like an eternally frozen mountain, that she seemed unapproachable.


    Joshua''s clean, crisp voice sounded from beside her.


    "Star, this is Laurel Quinn, the head of the Quinn family."


    Just as Ste was about to greet her, Laurel extended a hand.


    "Hello, I''m Laurel Quinn."


    Ste gracefully took her hand, responding politely and formally, "Ms. Quinn, it''s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ste."


    Laurel said, "To be able to produce such a satisfactory proposal after only a year of work, Ms. Cameron, is very impressive."


    "You''re too kind, Ms. Quinn," Ste replied with practiced courtesy.


    After a few pleasantries, Laurel, sensing Ste''s scrutiny, asked, "Why do you keep looking at me, MS. Cameron? Is there something wrong with my appearance?"


    "No," Ste said, retracting her gaze. "I just feel that you look a little familiar... Have


    we met somewhere before?"


    A fleeting, dark glint passed through Laurel''s eyes, so fast it was almost imperceptible.


    "Perhaps we crossed paths at a party or a signing event," Laurel suggested.


    Hearing this, Ste felt it wouldn''t be appropriate to press further.


    After a bit more small talk, Laurel said, "I''ll let you two talk. I have other matters to attend to, so I''ll be going."


    With that, she nodded at Ste and Joshua and turned to leave.


    Ste watched Laurel''s retreating


    back, a nagging feeling that she was overlooking something important, but she couldn''t quite put herfinger orit.


    Seeing Ste staring after Laurel, Joshua asked, "Star, is something wrong with her?"


    Ste snapped out of her thoughts. "No, I just didn''t expect the head of the Quinn family to be so young and beautiful."


    Ste recalled the information Abby had researched. Laurel Quinn was publicly known to be married, and apparently had been for many years, yet no one had ever known who her husband was.