Joshua slowly opened his eyes.


    Laurel Quinn stepped forward and asked with concern, "Joshua, are... are you all right?"


    Joshua nced at her, but his gazended on Ste beside him.


    A spark of light appeared in his eyes. "Star."


    Ste immediately went to his side. "Joshua, are you okay?"


    Joshua gently hugged her. "I''m fine."


    Ste asked again, "Are you feeling ufortable anywhere?"


    Joshua''s eyes flickered. "Just a bit of a headache."


    Ste carefully studied Joshua''s face. Seeing his calm expression, a sense of doubt and unease inexplicably surfaced in her heart.


    Last time, she had only been missing, and Joshua had been incredibly anxious when he saw her. Why was he so calm this time?


    She nced at Laurel Quinn, who also found it very strange.


    Ste said softly, "Foreman and Aurora worked together. That''s why they faked my death... Foreman was also behind Deanna''s car ident. The goal was to lure us to Novaris to make it easier for them to act."


    As Ste exined what she knew, she observed Joshua''s expression.


    His gaze wasn''t unfocused and chaotic as she had imagined. Instead, it held a sharp edge that was unusually intimidating.


    His dark eyes were unfathomable voids, cold and deep. It was as if something about him had changed.


    Sensing Ste''s scrutiny, Joshua lowered his long eyshes, concealing the thoughts in his eyes. The arms holding her, however, tightened unconsciously.


    His voice was low and raspy. "Star, I''m sorry. I failed to protect you."


    Ste sighed softly. "It''s not your fault. No one could have expected Foreman to be


    so vicious, not only killing Deanna but also taking so many other lives."


    Joshua rubbed his temples as if his head ached.


    He asked, "Is Harold here?"


    "Yes," Ste replied.


    Joshua said, "Star, could you please ask him toe in?"


    Of course, she had no reason to refuse. "Okay."


    Seeing Ste leave, Laurel Quinn followed her out.


    After the room door closed, Laurel Quinn asked Ste, "Don''t you think Joshua is acting a bit strange?"


    Ste frowned slightly. "A little... but he just went through a shock


    shouldn''t that be considere


    normal?" ovel


    Laurel Quinn''s gaze grew thoughtful.


    Ste found Harold and said, "Harold, Joshua is awake. He wants to see you."


    Harold''s face lit up with surprise. "Mr. Gardner is awake?!"


    Ste nodded.


    Harold was about to go to Joshua but suddenly paused as if a thought urred to him.


    "Mr. Gardner really asked for me?"


    "Yes," Ste said.


    From Harold''s perspective, now that


    Joshua knew Ste was alive, he


    would want to be with her every second, unwilling to be separated. Why would he suddenly call for him?


    Although he had his doubts, Harold still knocked on the door to Joshua''s room.


    Entering the room, Harold saw Joshua with his eyes closed, rubbing his temples.


    Seeing him enter, Joshua asked, "What''s happened recently?"


    Harold found Joshua''s question extremely odd, but he answered truthfully. "Ms Cameron isn''t dead. It was likely just a scheme by Foreman and Aurora..."


    Joshua cut him off. "I''m not asking about that. I''m asking about before."


    Harold was a smart assistant. His eyes widened in shock.


    He stammered, "Mr... Mr. Gardner... you don''t remember?"


    Joshua''s brow furrowed. "What exactly happened?"


    Harold asked cautiously, "What... what all do you want to know?"