The air felt thick, as if time itself had frozen.

    It was a long moment before Skyler finally spoke. "Star, your father will take care

    of this. You''ve been through enough of a shock today-go home and get some rest."

    Ste rose to her feet. "Alright, then I won''t keep you any longer."

    She and Joshua left the room.

    As soon as they were gone, Skyler turned on Israel and Coleman, his anger barely contained.

    "You two are absolutely useless! One can''t keep his cool, the other jumps at every rumor. You sent men out in broad daylight to chase down your own sister! If word gets out, we''ll be theughingstock of the entire city!"

    Israel and Coleman hung their heads, not daring to reply. It was true-the mess they''d created today was a direct result of their own poor judgment.

    Skyler lectured them a while longer before finally dismissing them.

    Out in the hallway, Aurora addressed the group. "I just talked to Queenie. Sellers has been found—he''s in the hospital now. I''m going to check on him.”

    Coleman spoke up, "Let me drive you. I should see how he''s doing too."

    Thanks to Aurora, he and Sellers had a solid working rtionship and had coborated on more than one asion.

    Aurora nodded her agreement.

    They drove straight to the hospital.

    The sight that met them was shocking: Sellers was battered from head to toe, barely a patch of uninjured skin left. Even his once-handsome face was marred by several deep, angry scars.

    Aurora''s brow furrowed. "Sellers... how did this happen to him?"

    Queenie Burton, standing at the foot of the bed, answered quietly, "He''s still unconscious. We don''t know the details yet. But one thing''s certain-" Her voice grew tense. "He was tortured, and badly."

    Queenie and Aurora had been roommates back in college, sharing not just a dorm but a close friendship.

    Queenie had a ssic, heart-shaped

    face and wide, almond eyes that seemed to shimmer with flecks of starlight warm, luminous, and full of life When she smiled, dimples formed in her cheeks, sweet as honey and utterly charming.

    She was the sort of beauty who radiated softness and warmth, a gentle contrast to the bolder allure of women like Aurora or Simone Lerman. Yet, Queenie was never the background in any room-hen sweetness simply drew people in. Cóntent

    Coleman finally snapped out of his shock. "Sellers is the head of the Burton

    family. Who on earth would dare put him through this? Where did you find him, anyway?"

    Queenie replied, "In Sandford, just outside Novaris."

    "Sandford?" Aurora echoed, her gaze sharpening. "Wasn''t that thest ce he was seen before he disappeared?”

    "That''s right. We won''t know more until he wakes up."

    Aurora hesitated, then asked, "Should we tell Mr. Burton?"

    Queenie shook her head. “My uncle says most of the injuries are just superficial-serious-looking but not life-threatening. He can treat Sellers himself, so there''s no need to rm Grandpa Burton."

    She seemed like she wanted to say more, but with Coleman still present, she held her tongue.

    Coleman caught on, and offered, "You two talk-I''ll go check with the doctors about Sellers'' condition."

    Once he''d left, Aurora turned to Queenie. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

    Queenie looked at her, searching her friend''s face. "That Ste... she''s Haynes'' ex-wife, isn''t she?"

    "She is. But honestly, I only found outter, when it hit the news. I had no idea at the time."

    Queenie was silent for a moment.

    It made sense. Back when Ste first returned to the Williams family, she wasn''t married yet. There was no way she could have known Haynes back then.