The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Joshua considered it for a moment, then nodded gently.

"All right... That sounds reasonable."

Stella decided to lay her cards on the table. "I didn't join the Williams Group just for fun, Joshua. Like Jonathan and the others, I plan to become a major shareholder with real power.

So, I need someone I can trust to stay by my side and protect me-someone skilled and reliable.

I know your previous job must have paid extremely well. I'm willing to offer you double that, plus a company apartment and a car. At the end of the year, you'll get a share of the profits, too.

If you have any other requests, just let me know. As long as it's within my power, I'll do my best to meet them."

She paused briefly, then added, "If you don't have any pressing commitments at the moment, would you consider working with me?"

Stella fell silent, giving Joshua time to think.

But Joshua, after hearing the words "someone I can trust," barely heard anything else. The phrase echoed in his mind, drowning out the rest.

Stella waited for a while, but he still hadn't said a word. He looked dazed, lost in thought. She couldn't tell if he'd even registered what she'd told him.

She couldn't help herself. "Joshua, are you listening?"

He snapped out of his trance. "What?"

...So he hadn't heard a thing.

Patiently, Stella repeated herself, "I want to hire you as my bodyguard. The terms are negotiable—if you have any salary expectations, just say the word." Joshua replied, "...No, I don't."

Stella asked carefully, "Would you like to take some time to think it over, or-?" He cut her off. "No need. I've made up my mind."

Stella's heart skipped a beat, nerves fluttering in her chest. She hadn't felt this tense in ages; not even during competition did she get so anxious.

"So... your answer is?"

Joshua said simply, "I accept."

Relief washed over Stella and she broke into a smile. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about salary or benefits?"

Joshua shrugged, "You can work that out with Abby."

"All right."

Stella was about to suggest that Joshua get some rest, but he'd already taken a seat on the couch in the hospital room.

Joshua

hospitEven though the no safe house is truly foolprot

hospital has been cleared of threats,

can't afford to drop our guard."

We

Stella was reminded of what happened to Leonard. She looked at Joshua and

asked, "Have you heard what happened to Leonard?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I heard."

Now that Joshua was officially her bodyguard, there was no reason to keep things from him.

"After Leonard was shot, he was

rushed to the hospital. But while he

was there, someone managed to

stab him. I suspect a hired kitter was

involved."

It wasn't easy to slip into a hospital with that level of security-especially not while

disguised as medical staff.

It might sound simple, but given Leonard's status and the layers protection

around him, pulling ret

this

off would've taken serious skill.

Joshua raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Stella nodded. "Abby got the news from Haynes."

As they spoke, Abby walked in.

When she saw Joshua, her face lit up with joy.

"Joshua, you're back!"

She had been hoping-practically praying that Joshua would return. With him around, Abby could finally breathe easy.

She glanced at Stella, silently asking if she'd talked to Joshua about staying.

Stella nodded lightly.noveldrama

Abby beamed. "Joshua, once Star becomes the boss-lady, we'll be living the good

life!"