Colby stayed for about the same amount of time as his usual visits.


    Ten minutester, he left.


    Ste didn''t show any signs that anything was amiss.


    That evening, she told Joshua, "I have a follow-up appointment with Old Mr. Wyatt tomorrow."


    Since she had been ying the violin every day, she needed weekly check-ups.


    It was time for this week''s visit.


    Joshua paused, water ss in hand. "Do you want me to go with you?"


    She declined, just as she had before. "Mr. Burton is still mad at you. Give him some


    time to cool off, and I''ll bring you next time."


    He didn''t push the issue. "Alright."


    The next day, Ste arrived at Mr. Burton''s estate.


    As usual, she greeted him first.


    Just as she was about to head out, Mr. Burton called after her.


    "Wait."


    She stopped. "Is there something else, Mr. Burton?"


    He nced at her. "I need to head over there anyway. I''ll walk with you."


    When they arrived at Old Mr. Wyatt''s ce, Ste spotted Leonard Lerman ying chess with Old Mr. Wyatt.


    She saw Leonard almost every time she came for a check-up.


    He never used the opportunity to harass her or force a conversation.


    He would usually just nce her way, say hello, and leave without bothering her.


    The moment she appeared, Leonard''s eyes locked onto her.


    Old Mr. Wyatt coughed lightly, a subtle warning not to stare too hard.


    Leonard looked away, but his eyes kept drifting back to her. He didn''t even notice he


    had ced a piece on the wrong square.


    Old Mr. Wyatt sighed silently.


    He waved a hand. "Look at you, all pathetic... Go on, get out of here."


    What good would looking at her do anyway?


    It was just an excuse to exchange a few words.


    Hearing this, Leonard abandoned the game and walked over to Ste.


    "Ste..."


    Before he could finish, a sharp pnded squarely on his face.


    Smack!


    Everyone, including Leonard, froze.


    He looked stunned for a moment before lowering his gaze to her.


    "Why?"


    Despite the public humiliation, his handsome face showed no anger-only confusion.


    Ste red up at him and spat out a single word.


    "Despicable!"


    His eyes darkened. "Did something happen?"


    Her expression was ice-cold. "Keep acting. Just keep acting."


    "If you''re going to use me, you should at least tell me what


    swnowet


    happened," he said, in a low


    Ste''s gaze shifted to Old Mr. Wyatt, who was frowning nearby.


    "Old Mr. Wyatt, did you really find Dr. Hunt yourself?"


    Old Mr. Wyatt''s eyes flickered as he avoided her gaze.


    Mr. Burton seemed to catch on to what was happening.


    He asked, "Ste, is there something wrong with that Colby kid?"


    She scoffed coldly. "He imed he could cure Joshua, but in reality... Leonard threatened him. He deliberately used a fake treatment n to dy Joshua''s recovery. Leonard, do you dare deny that you were the one who brought him here?"


    Leonard''s dark eyes narrowed as the pieces clicked into ce.


    He looked at her, his voice hoarse. "I


    admit I used some force to bring him here, but I never threatened him Did you ever stop to


    to work for me.


    think that if f really wanted to set y Joshua up, why would Colby sell me out so easily?"


    Ste wasn''t the naive girl she used to be. She understood exactly what he was implying.