NovelEnglishStella's expression relaxed. "Alright."
She turned her head, her gaze landing on Joshua, who stood quietly nearby.
They'd arrived together, after all-it would feel rude not to invite him along. But then again, it was Neville's
birthday, and showing up with Joshua in tow felt awkward. The two barely knew each other.
Stella hesitated, uncertain, when Neville's deep, magnetic voice cut through the moment.
"Joshua, I'm taking Star out for dinner. I'll see her hmyself tonight."
He didn't bother to hide the hint of finality in his words.
Joshua's tone was neutral, betraying nothing. "In that case, happy birthday, Mr. Connolly."
Neville twirled the keychain in his hand with a careless air. "Thanks. | have to say, getting a gift from Star herself
on my birthday really does make it a good one."
Joshua's eyes flicked to the keychain dangling between Neville's fingers, and his own hand tightened at his side.
"Then | won't intrude on your celebration any longer," he said.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Neville gave a lopsided smile. "Con, Star. Let's go."
Stella nodded goodbye to Joshua and left with Neville.
Joshua stayed where he was, watching the two of them walk away. He didn't move for a long time, his expression
as calm and unreadable as ever. Yet Simone, for reasons she couldn't quite explain, had the impression his mood
was far from light.
She stepped up beside him. "Joshua, | haven't properly thanked you for today="
Her words were cut short by his crisp, clear voice.
"You once saved me. Helping you was the least | could do."
Simone's eyes flickered with uncertainty. "But...| can't remember what happened back then. What if it wasn't
me?"
Joshua's answer was cool and even. "If | made a mistake, that's on me, not you."
Simone was just beginning to relax when Joshua suddenly changed tack, his voice tinged with a rare note of
frustration.
"Still, it's entirely possible I've got the wrong person. Just matching a single earring isn't exactly proof. | should
have been more careful."
Simone's smile faltered. "You're right."
Joshua went
went on,
"The
person I'm
looking for my rescuer-she played the violin beautifully. She performed 'Moonlight' that night, and I'll never
forget how moving it was. | haven't heard Miss Lerman play, so it's hard to be sure."
Simone's eyes lit up. "If you have tone of these days, | could play it for you."
She'd been practicing ‘Moonlight’
lately. The violin was second nature
to her, and she'd played the piece Aurora before. Picking itup again hadn't been difficult
Joshua seemed impatient to solve the mystery. "Why wait? How about tonight? | managed to leave work early-
who knows when I'll have the chance again?"
Simone agreed at once. "Alright. Letjust run hto change and grab my violin."
"Sounds good," Joshua said.
Back at the party, Simone found Aurora and asked her to calong to the dressing room. As they walked,
Simone filled her in on everything that had just happened.
"Aurora, it worked."
Aurora gave her a knowing look, sensing a subtle shift in Simone's demeanor.
"He...passed your little test?" she asked.
Simone nodded, unable to hide the
faint smile tugging at her lips. "Seymour is supposed to be skind of tough guy, but up against Joshua-even
with a knife-he didn't last more than three moves."
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