Ste didn''t answer him, instead turning to Noah.


    "Noah, I''m trusting you with Abby. Keep her safe."


    Then, she gave instructions to Gideon and Wilbur. "You must protect Abby at all costs. Once you''re out of the pce, go straight to the airport. I''ve already arranged for a private jet there. You all leave first. Don''t wait for us, so we don''t all get trapped in Germany. If I can''t get out, I''ll need you to call for help."


    "Star..." Abby said, her eyes welling with tears.


    "Don''t worry about me," Steforted her softly. "Joshua is still here."


    At the mention of Joshua''s name, Abby nced at him again. She knew she would be of no help here, only a burden to Ste.


    She bit her lip and said to Wilbur and Gideon, "Let''s go."


    Noah wanted to object, but seeing Ste''s determined expression, he let out a long sigh and led Abby and the others away.


    The incident had happened so suddenly that the Wright family waspletely unprepared. With Eason in critical condition and rushed into surgery, and Queen Wright having fainted from the shock, the entire pce was in chaos.


    Although King Wright ordered the pce to be sealed and all strangers investigated, he was waiting outside the operating room for news on Eason and was in no position to manage the situation.


    With Abby and Ste splitting up, their individual groups were smaller and less conspicuous.


    Abby sessfully escaped the pce and made it to the airport.


    As the ne took off, Abby still felt as if she were in a dream.


    She had gradually calmed down. Although she had been frightened by Joshua''s swift and decisive killing of Eason, upon reflection, she had to admit that he had been right. As long as Eason was alive, he would have colluded with Aurora, bringing endless trouble for Ste. He thought he could control Aurora, but he might have ended up being yed by her instead, bing another one of her weapons.


    Joshua''s methods were ruthless, but they offered a permanent solution.


    However, as Joshua himself had said, those reasons were secondary. The main reason was, as he''d stated, that he couldn''t stand to see someone point a gun at Ste.


    After all, no one wants to disy


    their cruel side in front of the person they love. What''s more, he had


    promised Ste he wouldn''t kill


    again. It was clear that Eason hacha dug his own grave.


    Yes, that was it.


    Abby had alreadye up with excuses and justifications for Joshua''s actions.


    Solmaris, Jonathan''s study.


    Aurora was smiling as she spoke to Jonathan and Coleman about Prince Eason.


    "The man is arrogant, chauvinistic, and looks down on women. Though he hides it well, I could see the condescension in his eyes when we had dinner, so, yed along and acted naive and innocent. That way, he would think I''m easy to control."


    To Aurora, it didn''t matter whether a man adored her or wanted to use her. They were all just tools for her ascent.


    A smart woman knows when to y dumb, to see things without pointing them out.


    Coleman smiled. "Well done, Aurora.


    An arrogant man like Eason is far easier to control than Sellers or Leonard. Later on, I''ll arrange a few more opportunities for you to make Eason Believe he has youpletely under his thumb."


    As they were discussing how to use Eason in the future, Aurora''s phone rang.


    She nced at the caller ID and smiled. "It''s Princess Wright."


    Without any hesitation in front of her two brothers, she answered the call.


    On the other end of the line came Princess Wright''s sobs.


    "Aurora, my brother... My brother isn''t going to make it!"