Joshua seemed lost in his own thoughts and didn''t answer.


    Laurel didn''t mind. She said to Ste, "You don''t have to see me out, Ms. Cameron.


    I can get back on my own."


    Since Laurel insisted, Ste didn''t press the issue.


    After Laurel left, Abby Murphy shot Ste a meaningful nce.


    Ste immediately sensed that something must have happened while she and Laurel were discussing the medical case.


    Her gaze shifted from Foreman Richards to Joshua.


    "Joshua, you cane in now," Ste said.


    Joshua silently entered the study.


    Ste closed the door behind them.


    Seeing this, a deep jealousy shed in Foreman''s eyes.


    Abby red at Foreman before turning and leaving as well.


    Foreman''s face was grim as he prepared to head back to his room, but at the


    corner, he saw a tall, slender figure.


    Foreman froze. "Haynie."


    Haynes O''Brien looked at him. "Why did you say those things to him?"


    Foreman knew that Haynes had overheard what he''d said to Joshua.


    He sneered. "If Star takes over Leonard Lerman''s shares, she''s not just asking for trouble, it''ll be like she owes him. Thinking he can win Star''s forgiveness with a small favor is nothing but a fantasy."


    Haynes''s eyes were deep and calm. "Foreman, what Leonard is giving Star has long since gone beyond a small favor. Regardless of whether the Lerman family wille affer Joshua, this is what Star needs most right now. With these shares, she can sideline Skyler and Jonathan Williams and won''t have to struggle so much. Leonard is just giving Star a legitimate reason to take them."


    But Foreman didn''t see it that way. "Haynie, we can help Star if we work together. Why do we need anything from Leonard? His shares are dirty. We can''t let Star be tainted by them. Besides I don''t think Leonard intentions are that pure. Hes probably trying to harm Star intentionally."


    Haynes said coolly, "The situation is already quite clear. Although Star''s approval rating is on par with Jonathan''s, this stalemate will likely continue for a long time. The longer this drags on, the more


    unpredictable things will be. Star doesn''t have deep roots in Solmaris; she only has the support of the internal shareholders of The Williams Group and doesn''t have strong connections with other major families. But the Williams family is on good terms with the Burton family, has a marnage alliance with the Chapman family, and has been friends with the Watson family for generations. Antoney Watson can''t get involved or help Star in the short term. We can''t be sure if the next head of the Lerman family will be a friend or a foe. Joshua''s power base isn''t in Solmaris. He can provide external help, but it''s difficult for him to shake the stable power structure established here over the years in a short amount of time. Even if we team up with Neville Connolly, we''d still have a hard time seeding. Looking at the cards Star holds now, epting Leonard''s assets will make her the winner outright, without needing to remain at a standstill with Jonathan. From any angle, epting is the best option for Star."


    Foreman''s gaze on Haynes gradually filled with disappointment.


    "Haynie, you''ve changed. You never used to be so focused on pros and cons. Have you forgotten about emotions in favor of benefits? Besides, the Lerman family''s businesses are all dirty! Do you want Star to be condemned by the public?"


    Looking at Foreman''s agitated expression, Haynes said, "Foreman, if Leonard dared to let Star take over, he must have been fully prepared."