If Leonard was in love with Ste, it meant her personal safety had likely been guaranteed. But being kidnapped by a deranged maniac like him and held on an isted ind... one could only imagine what the past month had been like.


    So, even though Ste was back and everyone was gathered together, the atmosphere was strangely silent. No one dared to speak, afraid of making her recall something unpleasant.


    Ste had a good idea of what they were all thinking. She had no intention of exining, instead saying, "Thank you all for your help. None of you have had much rest these past few days, so let''s all get some sleep today. Tomorrow, I''ll treat you all to dinner."


    Since Ste had said so, no one had any objections.


    Neville wasn''t staying there. He stood up and said, "Star, I''ll head home then. Call me if you need anything."


    Ste walked him to the door personally, with Joshua following right behind her. Neville had wanted to say something to Ste, but seeing Joshua there, he just said a quick goodbye and left.


    At first, Ste didn''t notice anything, but then she realized that wherever she went, Joshua followed. When she went to the restroom and found him waiting by the door, she finally sensed something was off.


    After a moment''s thought, Ste decided she needed to have a serious talk with him. There were things she didn''t need to exin to others, but she had to make them clear to Joshua.


    In her room, Ste poured two sses of water, one for herself and one for Joshua.


    Joshua epted the ss she offered. "Thanks."


    Ste looked at him and said softly, "Joshua, about Leonard and me, nothing—"


    The words "happened between us" were still on her tongue when Joshua cut her off abruptly.


    "Star, stop. You''re home, you''re safe. That''s the only thing I care about."


    Ste frowned slightly. "But—"


    "Star, what''s past is past," Joshua said again. "Can we just forget about it?"


    Ste gazed at his handsome face, a flicker of uncertainty in her heart. It wasn''t exactly true that nothing had happened between her and Leonard; there was that kiss ftruth she bad been debating whether to be honest with him or to hide it. But Joshua clearly didn''t want to hear it.


    In the end, she nodded.


    Though Ste showed no outward sign of distress, Joshua knew her too well. His hand tightened around the ss, his knuckles turning white as he fought to control his emotions.


    Ste nced at the darkening sky outside. "Joshua, it''s gettingte. Let''s get a good night''s rest. We can talk about everything else tomorrow."


    In the past, Joshua would have stood up and left without another word. This time, however, he remained seated on the sofa, looking at her.


    "Star, can I stay here tonight?"


    Ste was slightly taken aback.


    Before the kidnapping, she had


    already decided to move in with him.


    But the month-long ordeal, along


    with Leonard''s kiss, had left her


    feeling a certain aversion to overly intimate contact with men. Sh


    m. She


    needed some time to adjust her feelings and state of mind.


    As if sensing her hesitation, Joshua quickly exined, "Star, don''t worry, I I just want to


    won''t do anythingur room, so


    sleep on the floor in your room, so that when I wake up, you''ll be the first person I see." ''