He was willing to lie just to give Joshua a sliver of hope. However, Joshua seemed to hear nothing, his expression remaining vacant.


    Jake was truly frightened now. "Mr. Gardner, please say something..."


    Joshua''s eyshes trembled slightly. But before Jake could feel a flicker of relief, Joshua''s face contorted, and he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.


    "Mr. Gardner!" Jake''s face paled in rm.


    Joshua''s body swayed, and he abruptly copsed.


    Jake scrambled to catch him, yelling, "Doctor! Doctor!"


    Foreman''s gaze on Ste was fervent. He had waited for this day for a very, very long time.


    He had endured the pain of watching Ste with Joshua, watching Joshua joyfully prepare for their wedding. But the thought of Joshua being shattered, driven mad by Ste''s death and too consumed by grief to search for her, made it all seem worthwhile.


    Joshua was simply too clever. If he remained clear-headed, there was no guarantee he wouldn''t find Ste again, just likest time. The only way to shake him for good was to make him lose his mind. Only then could Foreman be free of worry.


    Foreman''s voice trembled with excitement. "Star, you''re finally all mine."


    However, to Foreman''s utter shock, despite his overwhelming excitement and his desire to possess Ste that very second, his body remained stubbornly unresponsive.


    What was wrong with him today? Could it be because he hadn''t been intimate with her yet? But in the past, just the thought of Ste was enough to make him lose control. If he still couldn''t get a reaction when he was close to her, what would she think of him?


    Foreman broke out in a cold sweat. He had already arranged for medication to be prepared, nning to get Ste pregnant at the first opportunity. Then, with his child, she would never be able to leave him.


    Foreman''s expression grew dark and stormy.


    Ste had been waiting for Foreman to approach so she could catch him off guard and strike, but she was surprised when he suddenly froze, his face a whirlwind of emotions. She watched him, her own expression unreadable.


    Foreman''s face was grim. After a moment of internal struggle, he made a decision. He would back off for now. "Star, you should get some rest. I''lle back for youter."


    With that, Foreman quickly left. He had to get himself checked out and find out what was wrong with his body.


    After a detailed examination, the doctor spoke to Foreman with a strange expression. "Mr. Richards there does seem to be a problem, We detected a certain toxin in your system. It''s very likely this toxin


    that''s affecting you. We''ve already taken a blood sample for analysis. We will notify you once we have the specific results."


    Foreman clenched his fists. He knew almost instantly who was responsible. Besides Joshua, who else would stoop to such a low, despicable act?


    Now, he had to identify the poison and find an antidote... He wouldn''t be able to get Ste pregnant anytime soon. The thought made his hatred for Joshua burn even hotter.


    Just then, Foreman''s phone rang. He nced at the caller ID, his eyes darkening. Stepping into a secluded corner, he answered the call. "What is it?"


    From the other end came a woman''s clear, enchanting voice. "Congrattions, Mr. Richards. You finally got what you always wanted."


    Foreman remained silent.


    "We''ve cooperated so much with you, Mr. Richards," Aurora said. "Now... isn''t it time for you to honor your promise?"


    Foreman''s voice was as cold as


    water. "I will have Star sign the papers to renounce her im on the shares, but" He paused. "Only Leonard''s portion. I wont let her give up her own shares."