After she exined her situation, Noah hadn''t made things difficult for her. On the contrary, he told her to prioritize her own affairs. When he learned she was having trouble meeting Mr. Walden, he had even offered to get her an invitation and take her to see him.


    Noah had never hidden his affection for her, but Ste had just gone through a divorce and was focused on her career, with no interest in romance.


    Later, after Ste moved to Solmaris, they had gradually lost touch.


    Now, seeing Noah unexpectedly at such an event, Ste couldn''t help but feel the joy of seeing an old friend.


    "Noah, long time no see."


    Noah''s blue eyes were fixed on Ste, a look of awe in them. Ste was even more beautiful than before.


    Previously, her beauty had been superficial, her overall presence subdued. But now, the confidence that radiated from within made her seem to shine, making her even more captivating.


    Noah found it hard to look away. He was about to speak when a clear voice came from the side.


    "Star, aren''t you going to introduce me?"


    Only then did Noah notice the handsome, unfamiliar young man standing beside Ste. The man''s features were as sharp and defined as a sculpture. Even among the tall, deep-featured Western men, he stood out.


    It wasn''t Haynes O''Brien, nor was it Neville Connolly. Noah had seen both of them before.


    But he had never seen the man before him now.


    Noah asked curiously, "Star, and this is..."


    "Noah, this is Joshua. He''s... a friend of mine," Ste said.


    Then she turned to Joshua. "Joshua, this is Noah, an old friend of mine."


    Joshua shook Noah''s hand. "Mr. Noah, a pleasure."


    Noah greeted Joshua politely as well.


    Noticing that Joshua was Ste''s escort for the evening, Noah smiled and asked, "Mr. Gardner Star and haven''t seen each other in a long time. I was wondering if I could ask her for a dance?"


    Joshua''s dark eyes deepened for a moment.


    Then he said, "While I''m Star''s escort, something like this is up to her."


    He lowered his gaze, a faint smile ying on his lips. "Star, would you like to dance with Mr. Noah?"


    His expression and tone seemed no different from usual, but Ste felt a strange sense of pressure.


    Her instincts told her she shouldn''t ept Noah''s offer.


    Ste looked at Noah apologetically. "I''m sorry Noah. My escort and I


    haven''t had our first dance yetene


    I''m afraid can''t ept youro vitation."


    Ste hade with an escort. To ept someone else''s invitation before dancing


    with her own partner would be disrespectful.


    Noah''s disappointment was evident, but he didn''t insist. "In that case, won''t disturb you perhaps we can have dinner some other time when you''re free."


    After bidding them farewell, Noah quickly left.


    Joshua turned to Ste. "Star, we actually haven''t danced tonight. Would you care for one?"


    When Joshua had been her bodyguard, he had apanied Ste to numerous banquets, and they had, of course, danced together before.


    Ste had no reason to refuse his invitation.


    As they stepped onto the dance floor, Ste noticed Joshua staring at her intently.


    If her hands weren''t upied, she would have reached up to touch her own face.


    She couldn''t help but ask, "Joshua, is there something on my face?"


    Joshua continued to watch her with a profound gaze that made her a little unsettled. He didn''t answer her question directly.


    "How exactly do you know this Noah?"