"What did he say to you?" Leonard asked.

Stella frowned slightly. She hadn't planned on explaining anything, but she changed her mind.

"Nothing much," Stella said. "He just heard me playing the violin and followed the sound."

Leonard studied her. "Does he still remember you?"

Her eyelashes fluttered.

After a moment, she replied, "Three years ago, he saw me at Mr. Burton's place. I was with Laurel at the time, so he has a vague impression of me."

She then looked up at Leonard.

"I'm still not sure why he came back. Although many people here know him, Laurel and Beckett Torres should handle it.

As for the Williams family... they know Joshua and I broke up, and they know he was hypnotized because of his headaches.

They aren't stupid enough to deliberately trigger his memories just to give me another powerful ally."

She paused, her voice inexplicably dropping lower.

"Besides, Josh―Joshua must have made arrangements before the hypnosis.

He always did things impeccably, thinking of details I would never even consider... Knowing him, he definitely set up contingency plans.

Everyone else is manageable, but Simone Lerman..."

Stella met Leonard's gaze. "Over the years, she still seems completely infatuated with him. If Joshua asks her anything, she will definitely spill everything."

Like Stella, Simone hadn't married in the past three years. She hadn't even dated anyone.

Clearly, she still hadn't moved on from Joshua.

"I understand," Leonard said. "I'll arrange for Simone to leave Solmaris as soon as possible so she doesn't run into him.

It would also be best if you send Abby Murphy away immediately.

She can't keep a secret and is the most likely to blow your cover."

Stella nodded. "Yeah, I know."

"You just said Simone hasn't forgotten him," Leonard noted. "What about you? Have you forgotten him?"

After Joshua left, both Haynes O'Brien and Neville Connolly had pursued Stella for a while, but she had rejected them both.

Over the years, she hadn't dated, nor had she entertained any ambiguous relationships with men.

Leonard, on the other hand, never tried to take advantage of her vulnerability. He never courted her aggressively. Instead, he maintained a calm professional partnership with her.

It was something Stella could easily accept without feeling repulsed.

Leonard had studied Stella's paintings and her character deeply.

He knew perfectly well that even if Joshua never returned, there would never be room in her heart for anyone else.

Stella had no desire to answer the question. A sudden wave of exhaustion washed over her.

"It's getting late. I'm going back to rest."

"I'll walk you out," Leonard offered.

Stella declined. "No need. Wilbur has the car waiting outside."

Leonard didn't push it. He simply walked her to the door.

...

The next day, Stella contacted

Laurel After getting her approvabet

she headed straight to the Quinn family estate to see her. .net>

Laurel knew Stella was coming and personally greeted her at the door.

"Ms. Cameron, it's been a long time. You seemed in such a rush to see me today—

is it something urgent?"

Stella nodded. "Yes, it's very important."

Knowing it wasn't convenient to talk outside, Laurel didn't ask further questions and led Stella into her study.

Pushing open the door, Laurel was

just about to ask Stella what she wanted to drink when her eyes swept across the room and landed on a handsome figure sitting on the sofa.

Laurel froze, a flash of utter disbelief in her eyes.

"Josh... Joshua?!"