The design of the earrings was exquisite and perfectly suited Ste''s taste. She found herself instantly fond of them.


    But Ste quickly came to her senses.


    If this gift was from Foreman, she wouldn''t ept it, no matter how much she liked


    it.


    She picked up the gift box and examined it carefully, but she couldn''t find a name anywhere.


    After a moment''s thought, Ste called Abby Murphy.


    "Abby, did Foreman ask you to bring me a gift today?"


    Abby replied immediately, "Of course he did, but I ignored him. He almost got me in troublest time, so I wasn''t falling for that again.


    "But Foreman is in Solmaris now. I think he''s nning to give it to you in person."


    Ste frowned. "He''s in Solmaris?"


    Abby nodded. "Yeah, he probably came over a while ago. Said he was here specifically for your birthday."


    Abby found it exasperating herself.


    Ste hadn''t invited himst time, yet Foreman still had the nerve to show up this time.


    Ste asked, "Did anyone else ask you to bring me a gift?"


    Abby said, "Besides Antoney Watson and Lauretta Chapman... I don''t think so.


    "What''s up, Star? Did someone else send you a gift?"


    Ste nced at the unsigned gift box and hummed in agreement.


    Abbyughed. "You have so many secret admirers, it''s not that surprising someone would slip you a gift.


    "By the way, what did you get this time?"


    Ste said, "A pair of earrings."


    Abby replied, "Then it''s definitely not Foreman. He loves giving things like music boxes.


    "Speaking of which, Foreman has a weird obsession with music boxes.


    "Oh, right, what did Joshua get you this time?"


    At the mention of Joshua''s name, the corners of Ste''s eyes crinkled with an unconscious smile.


    "Matching rings."


    After Joshua


    a had left, Ste had


    taken off the jade pendant he''d given her. It looked very valuable and wasn''t very practical for everyday wear. The matching rings he gave her this time were much more convenient.


    Abby smiled. "Joshua really has a thing for matching couple''s items. It''s like he wants the whole world to know you''re together."


    Ste usually went along with Joshua on these small things.


    "By the way, Aurora''s been found," Ste said.


    Abby was shocked. "Found? So soon?!"


    Ste said, "It''s been over three months. It was pretty slow, actually."


    Abby sounded gleeful. "Is she aplete mess? Oh, is her face ruined?"


    Ste said, "No, but she has scars."


    Abby smirked. "I bet Aurora doesn''t know yet that you''ve snatched up almost all of her resources does she?


    Ste said, "After being kidnapped and going through all that, she''ll probably me everything on me.


    "I doubt she''ll be able to maintain herposure around me anymore."


    Abby said, "Good, just drop the act. I''ve been sick of her phony act for a long time now."


    The two chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up.


    Ste looked at the earrings in front of her and, after some thought, put them back in the box.


    Until she knew who sent them, she wouldn''t wear them, but she wouldn''t throw them away either.


    In a dimly lit room, the figures of a man and a woman were tangled together in a passionate embrace.