Mr. Burton looked at Joshua, then at Sherman, and let out a heavy sigh, instantly looking as though he had aged several years.


    He waved a dismissive hand at the rest of the Burtons. "If there''s nothing else, you all need to leave. I won''t have this shouting match in my house. I''m getting too old, and I just don''t have the energy for this anymore."


    With a shake of his head, he turned and walked away from the crowd.


    He didn''t nce back at the Burtons, nor did he spare a single look at Ste.


    Realizing the argument was a dead end, the Burtons filed out in a massive group.


    Sherman was practically seething with resentment, but Uncle Zane physically dragged him out the door.


    They needed to get to the bottom of whether Sherman had actually kidnapped Sellers.


    Watching Mr. Burton''s hunched, retreating figure, a wave of indescribable sorrow washed over Ste.


    She knew Mr. Burton wasn''t going to pursue the matter any further.


    But she also knew that from this day forward, her rtionship with him would never be the same.


    It broke her heart a little.


    Because, other than her mother, Mr. Burton was the only older figure in her life who had ever genuinely cared for her.


    He had truly treated her like his own flesh and blood.


    But Sellers, for all his ws, was still his biological son.


    Everyone has their own internalpass. And for him, that needle didn''t point toward fairness-it pointed toward blood and loyalty.


    Ste never harbored the illusion that she would outweigh Mr. Burton''s own son. Just as, in her own heart, Joshua meant far more to her than Mr. Burton did. Even if Joshua was in the wrong, her loyalty would always remain with him.


    The estate emptied out quickly.


    Mr. Burton sat alone in the gazebo, sighing heavily over a cup of hot tea.


    A tall, imposing figure stepped into the shade and took a seat across from him.


    "Mr. Burton."


    Mr. Burton barely lifted his eyes. "Shouldn''t you be resting your injuries? What are you doing here?"


    Before the man could answer, Mr. Burton let out a dry, knowing chuckle. "Never mind, I know. You heard Ste was here, so you came to sneak a look at her, didn''t you?"


    Leonard didn''t bother denying it. Instead, he asked, "Is Sellers really missing?"


    Mr. Burton took a sip of his tea.


    "Odds are, that Gardner boy took et


    him Buthe''s denying it, and there'' zero proof. Even Ste probably can''t get anything out of him."


    Leonard sat in silence for a few seconds before speaking. "For Star''s sake, he''ll probably let Sellers live. If he had fallen into my hands, he''d already be dead."


    Mr. Burton red up in anger. "Did youe here tofort me or to give me a heart attack?! People like you who think you''re above thew will get what''sing to yo@sooner ortater!"


    Leonard replied evenly, "You''re right. Karma has already collected its dues."


    Mr. Burton was speechless.


    It was impossible to hold a conversation with this man.


    Talking to someone with such a tant disregard for social grace was a surefire way


    to spike his blood pressure.


    He hadn''t even been this furious listening to Joshua Gardner''s silver-tongued excuses earlier!


    Mr. Burton let out a cold scoff. "So


    what''s your n once you''re fully healed? Going head-to-head with that Gardner kid? From what I know, the Gardners are notoriously relentless Once they set theinsights on something, they don''t let go."


    Leonard simply asked, "Will he hurt Ste?"


    "I think you should be far more worried about your own neck than Ste''s," Mr.


    Burton replied. "That boy definitely won''t show any mercy to a romantic rival."


    Just then, a soft meow broke the tension.


    A tabby cat leaped gracefully right into Leonard''sp.


    The sight of the animal only fueled Mr. Burton''s irritation.


    "What do you all think this ce is, a free hotel? It''s bad enough I''m putting you up,


    now I''m running an animal shelter, too!"