NovelEnglishStella said, "A witness statement alone isn't enough to count as evidence. As long as Haynes denies everything,
there's nothing anyone can do to him.
Sure, someone tampered with your brakes, Joshua, but the only person who's gone missing is that store clerk.
There's no way to tie any of it directly back to Haynes."
She glanced at Joshua, her eyes full of regret. "I'm sorry, Joshua. | don't think there's any way forto get
justice for you this time.”
It wasn't that she didn't want to help-there simply wasn't any hard evidence linking Haynes to the crime.
Joshua gave a weary smile. "Mr. O'Brien has more power than we can imagine. He covers his tracks too well.
People like us, we're just no match for someone like him."
He shrugged, trying to play it off. “It's all right. I'll just have to be more careful from now on."
The more gracious Joshua tried to be, the more guilty Stella felt.
"I promised you before that I'd get justice for you, and now I've gone back on my word so soon."
At that moment, Stella felt the full weight of how powerless justice could be in the face of wealth and influence.
Antoney, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "Star, when | return to my family, | promise I'll do everything
| can to make things right for you."
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Stella managed a smile and nodded.
They chatted a little longer before Antoney took his leave.
Not long after, Stella saw a headline on the news-Rachel had been arrested. Her expression remained
unchanged.
Someone like Rachel, Stella realized, didn't even have the power to stir up her emotions anymore.
She didn't even care enough to want revenge. Letting the police and the law handle her was the best ending she
could think of.
After wrapping up her side of things, Stella got a call from Jonathan Williams.
"Stella, your competition is over now, so you should have a little more free time, right? My father wants to talk to
you."
Jonathan had called her several times during the tournament, but she'd always told him she was too busy to talk.
Now, he was trying again.
Stella had once wondered why the Williams family kept reaching out to a daughter they'd disowned. But when
she learned about the
company's original shares,
everything made sense.
No wonder Skyler Williams had been so generous with Keen, offering up equity right away.
With that in mind, Stella agreed. “Sure, I'm free today."
Sooner or later, she'd have to face these things-and she certainly wasn't planning to give up her shares.
Who knew? Maybe one day she'd join The Williams Group herself.
Jonathan's voice softened with relief. "My father and | will be at hall day. Cby whenever you like."
After she hung up, Stella told Abby she was headed to the Williams estate.
Abby looked concerned. "Even if this is Neo-Vespera, and it's unlikely they'll try anything, it's better to be safe.
Why don't you take Joshua with you? That way, if anything goes wrong, he'll be there to help."
Stella nodded. "Good idea."
They drove together to the Williams family home.
As soon as they stepped into the living room, Stella spotted Aurora and Simone
Lerman sitting together with cups of tea.
Aurora stood up and greeted her. "Star, you made it."
Stella returned the nod.
"Father and my brother are upstairs," Aurora said. "Lettake you up."
She glanced at Joshua and offered a polite smile. “Mr. Joshua, would you mind waiting here?"
Joshua didn't answer right away he just looked to Stella.
bet
Stella was about to discuss family business; it wasn't exactly the tto have Joshua by her side. She gave him
a small nod.
As Stella and Aurora headed upstairs, Simone gestured warmly. “Joshua, have a seat over here."
Joshua sat across from her, and as he glanced around the room, his eyes fell on an earring-one he recognized
instantly.
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