In the private lounge, the man reclining in the center spot on the leather sofa was Joshua-no mistaking him.

At first, Joshua didn''t even bother to look when the door opened.

It was Wilson who caught Kate''s hesitation, frowning. "What''s up? Why''d you stop?"

Kate''s instinct was to run, but Wilson grabbed her arm before she could bolt. "Seriously? You''re just gonna ditch now? Don''t you wanna go abroad?"

Their little struggle wasn''t exactly subtle. Heads turned their way, and suddenly someone eximed, "Wait, is that Kate? Why''d you bring her here?"

Kate''s infamous feud with Allison-her online smear campaign and the mess that followed-had made waves all over Oak Lake. Even the rich kids who''d never met her knew who she was.

At the mention of her name, Joshua finally looked up.

His eyes were cold-sharp enough to cut right through her. Kate''s heart skipped; a chill raced down her back.

There went herst chance. No way out now.

Steve, catching on way too fast, realized the friend Wilson wanted to sneak out of the country was Kate. His face dropped. "That''s the ''friend'' you were talking

about?"

Wilson hadn''t expected Steve to know Joshua, but he definitely knew the whole Kate-and-Allison drama. He, Kate, and Shawn all ran in the same circles-he knew there was bad blood.

"Bring her here," Joshua said, voice t andmanding.

Wilson didn''t dare argue. He just clenched his jaw and hauled Kate over.

She tried to resist, but Wilson was stronger. In seconds, she was standing right in front of Joshua.

Joshua didn''t even acknowledge her. Instead, he turned to Steve, his tone icy. "Exin."

That single word was enough to make Steve sweat. He''d justnded himself on the wrong side of the Owens family''s prince, and everyone knew how much Joshua cared about Allison.

Steve wanted to kick himself for ever agreeing to help.

He forced a shakyugh. "Joshua, honestly, this is a huge misunderstanding. Wilson called me today, asked if I could help a friend get out of the country. I''m heading abroad soon, so I said yes. I had no idea his friend was Kate-if I''d known, I never would have agreed!"

Joshua nced at Steve, eyes unreadable but cold as ice.

Steve felt like he was standing on a

trapdoor, praying Joshua wou

decide to end their business deal right then and there.

"Take care of it," Joshua said to Steve. "Her case with Allie isn''t over. She''s not going anywhere."

Steve nodded so hard he nearly bowed. "Of course, of course. I''ll handle it. Joshua, please don''t be upset."

Through all of this, Joshua didn''t say a single word to Kate.

Later that night, he called Allison and told her about Kate''s little escape n.

Allison was brief-just a quiet "thank you."

When Joshua hung up, he allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.

At least Kate was good for something. Now he had the perfect excuse to call Allie.

He hadn''t talked to her in days. He missed her more than he cared to admit.