Ste paid it no mind, closing her eyes to rest. She hadn''t been sleeping welltely because of the situation with Leonard.


    She had spoken with Joshuast night, and he told her he would be back in a day or two. She had almost finished decorating their room and wondered if he would be surprised when he returned.


    As her thoughts wandered, the car jolted slightly and came to a sudden stop.


    Ste opened her eyes. "What''s wrong?"


    "I think there''s a problem with a tire," Wilbur said. "Ste, you and Abby wait in the car. Gideon and I will go check it out."


    Ste nodded slightly.


    Wilbur and Gideon got out to inspect the situation and found that a tire was damaged. One of them stood guard by the car while the other went to the trunk to get the spare.


    Just then, a group of agile men in ck clothes darted out from the side.


    Wilbur and Gideon''s expressions changed, instantly sensing that something was wrong. Without a word, they drew their guns.


    But they were a step too slow.


    Two projectiles hit them with swift precision. They copsed without a chance to fight back.


    Tranquilizer darts.


    Inside the car, Abby and Ste''s faces paled as they witnessed the scene.


    Realizing the danger, Ste was about to make a call when another group of men swarmed their car. Before she could dial, a handkerchief was pressed over her mouth and nose.


    Ste lost consciousness instantly.


    ***


    When Abby, Gideon, and Wilbur woke up, an hour had already passed. They found Ste gone and couldn''t reach her. Panic filled their faces.


    Not daring to waste a second, Abby immediately called Joshua.


    ***


    When Ste came to, she found herself lying on a soft, unfamiliar bed. The decor was both familiar and strange closely resembling the room she had been preparing for herself and Joshua.


    The rhythmic sound of waves reached her ears.


    Sunlight streamed in through the window, and an endless expanse of azure sea


    filled her vision.


    Ste''s eyes widened.


    Where was this?


    She scrambled to find her phone, but it was long gone.


    Just then, a man''s low, hoarse voice came from the doorway.


    "Star."


    Ste looked up to see a handsome, chiseled face. The man''s eyes burned with an undisguised adoration.


    She looked at him warily. "Where are we?"


    Leonard walked in. "This is my private ind," he said calmly. "It''s surrounded by the sea, isted from the world. The only way in or out is by helicopter. I remember you once told me you liked quiet, secluded, haven''s. The scenery and environment here are perfect. You''ll love it. I''ll take you for a tour after we eat."


    Ste instinctively clutched the bedsheets beneath her. "You''re going to imprison me?"


    Leonard looked at her, his voice


    deep. "Star, getting away from that


    ce of conflict is a good thing for you. If you want to be the head of the family, love your ty position Joshua is not the right man for you. His condition is a ticking time bomb in your rtionship. He has too many enemies, and they''ll stop at nothing to bring him down. If they can''t find an effective way to deal with him, they''ll turn their sights on you."


    He looked deep into her eyes. "And once they realize you''re his weakness, they will


    use you against him again and again."


    "Those are just your excuses," Ste said coldly.


    Leonard let out a lowugh. "You''re right, those are just excuses. The main reason


    is that I want you."