Ste took a soft breath, desperately trying to rein in her spiraling emotions.


    "Aren''t you afraid I''ll break up with you now that I know?"


    Hearing this, Joshua shed a bright, harmless smile.


    He said gently, "Star, as far as I''m concerned, unless I agree to a breakup, it simply isn''t going to happen."


    Ste''s expression grew cold. Staring unblinkingly into his eyes, she enunciated every word carefully:


    "And if I insist on leaving? What then? Are you going to kill me?"


    Joshua''s voice only grew softer. "You are the most important person in my world, Star. How could I ever bear to hurt you?"


    He paused, knitting his brows as if genuinely pondering the best way to handle the hypothetical situation.


    After a moment, he looked up at Ste, his smile radiant.


    "Maybe I''ll just have to chain you up. That way, my Star could never run away."


    Ste stared nkly at his devastatingly handsome face, a bone-deep chill creeping up from her very core and making her shiver.


    While she was lost in a daze of horror, Joshua gently pulled her into his embrace.


    "Star, I''m only joking. How could I ever lock you away?


    If you tried to leave me, I would just follow you relentlessly and refuse to let go until you weren''t mad anymore.


    We''re getting married soon. Please don''t talk about breaking up anymore, okay?"


    His voice had turned deep and seductive, his gaze softening into a humble, irresistible plea.


    Ste had always been vulnerable to his softer side, and seeing Joshua like this instantly melted half of her resolve.


    This man was simply too skilled at manipting emotions.


    Whenever he wanted to, he could twist her around his little finger without her even realizing it.


    He knew exactly what tone to take, exactly how to act to defuse her anger and make her cave.


    However, even though her heart wavered, Ste wasn''t about to forgive him that easily.


    She looked at him. "Joshua, they''re my best friends. If Antoney and,


    Lauretta end up miserable t guilt for the rest


    Neville has helped me so much. I owe him more favors than I can count, and the only thing he cares about is Marvin. If Marvin is taken away from him how can I ever look Neville in the eye again


    And then there''s Wilbur and Gideon. They''re just my employees! Can you really not tolerate me having male colleagues?"


    Joshua''s tone remained impassive. "Since I have the power to put them together, I have the power to ensure they live perfectly fine lives.


    I know you owe Neville, but I will repay that debt for you. I refuse to let my woman spend her life feeling indebted to another man.


    I am the head of the Gardner family. Whether Marvin gets taken away or not


    depends entirely on a single word from me.


    Besides, Neville has already made his choice. Star, he might have feelings for you,


    but he would never sacrifice everything for you.


    As for Wilbur and Gideon... I know


    you have no romantic interest in them, but I can''t stand seeing you, too close to any other man. get jealous."


    Joshuaid out his utterly brazen justifications without missing a beat.


    Ste honestly didn''t know whether to curse him for being a shameless psycho ormend him for his terrifying honesty.


    Yet not a single word he uttered held even a hint of remorse.


    Ste looked at him. "Joshua, can you promise me that you''ll stop targeting the people around me?"


    Joshua replied, "If they stop buzzing around you and getting in my way, I can promise to leave them alone."