Lauretta didn''t ask too many questions and simply said, "I''ll ask around for you and let you know when I have news."
Ste said, "Thank you, I appreciate it."
After hanging up, Ste had Wilbur and Gideon start searching for a doctor as well.
Even Mr. Burton had told her to seek treatment immediately. Joshua''s condition required intervention as soon as possible; they couldn''t dy it any longer.
A few dayster, Ste received a call from Lauretta.
"Ste, I found a psychiatric specialist. She''s supposedly the student of the renowned Dr. Dous. She has profound expertise in schizophrenia, bipr disorder, obsessivepulsive disorder, and other psychological conditions. I originally wanted to find Dr. Dous, but he passed away many years ago, so I could only find his student. Ste, I''ll send her file over to you in a bit; take a look first."
Ste said, "Lauretta, thank you."
Lauretta replied, "Ste, you''ve helped me so much, and I never knew how to repay you. I''m actually really happy that I can help you now."
The two had been close friends for years, so there was no need for excessive pleasantries.
After hanging up, Ste reviewed the doctor''s file Lauretta had sent.
The doctor''s name was Dr. Winter, a ssic Western beauty with blonde hair and blue eyes, appearing to be in her thirties.
The file looked fine, but Ste still called Abby to have her run a thorough background check.
The doctor treating Joshua couldn''t be just anybody.
Ste then called Mr. Burton to ask if he knew Dr. Dous.
Old Mr. Burton said, "We had some dealings, but he passed away years ago. I''ve met the student you mentioned a few times, and I''ve heard of her. She seems quite prominent in Solmaris, but I''m not very familiar with her. Those Western folks and I just never could get on the same page. But you can send her file to me, and I''ll have Wyatt take a look. That guy isn''t picky; as long as you meet his terms, he''d even make friends with a dog."
Over the phone, Wyatt''s furious voice quickly rang out.
"You''re the dog! Your whole family are dogs!"
Old Mr. Burton mocked, "Even if my whole family were dogs, it''s better than you having no family at all!"
The two started bickering back and forth.
Seeing this, Ste had no choice but to hang up first.
An hourter, Ste''s phone rang again.
This time it was Wilbur. "Ste, I''m at your door. You cane out now."
Although Ste was still recovering at home and wasn''t going to The Williams Group for her daily work, she still attended important meetings or went to sign contracts. that required her presence.
Ste grabbed the document folder she had prepared. "Alright, got it."
...
Four hourster, Ste signed the contract and politely declined her partner''s celebratory dinner.
With Joshua''s situation up in the air, she really wasn''t in the mood to celebrate.
By the time she headed back, the sky outside was already dark.
Ste slowly dozed off amid the bumps of the car ride.
She didn''t know how long she had slept when someone gently shook her awake.
"Ste, we''re home."
Ste mumbled in agreement, picked up the folder from the backseat, and prepared to step out.
Wilbur considerately opened the car door for her.
Perhaps because she had slept in one position for too long, Ste''s leg was a bit numb.
As she got out, she almost lost her footing and nearly fell to the ground.
Wilbur was quick and caught her right on time.
"Ste, are you okay?"
Ste steadied herself. "I''m fine, thank you."
Just as she was about to let go of
Wilbur, she suddenly felt an
intensely piercing gaze fall
Gontent
Ste looked up.
She saw Joshua standing not far away, a woman''s jacket draped over his arm.
The streemps cast a faint light along the road, illuminating his handsome face. His expression was unfathomable, the light entirely failing to reflect in his eyes, leaving them as dark and deep as a freezing abyss.