When Addison woke, she knew there was no point in trying to sleep again. Even the thought of closing her eyes filled her with dread. She couldn't bear the idea of dreaming about him once more. She moved through the house, flipping on every light she could find. The brightness spread slowly, filling the space until there was no shadow left. Perhaps the lights could make her feel less alone. But deep down, she knew better. Addison wandered into the courtyard, where the garden was lush and quiet—a retreat of greenery and blooming flowers. She stood still, gazing up at the sky. The night stretched above her—a vast canvas of black speckled with countless stars that glittered brilliantly, distant and untouchable. They reminded her of Harvey. He had been her light, bright and steady, until he wasn't. Now, he felt as unreachable as those stars. Her thoughts drifted back to that night. "Harvey," she had said, her voice full of excitement, "my phone says there's going to be a meteor shower tonight! I found the perfect spot. Let's go watch it together!" She'd never seen a shooting star before. That night was her first meteor shower. It was also her last. Harvey had smiled at her, patient and kind. "Alright," he had replied, his tone indulgent. A streak of blue lit up the sky, trailing a luminous arc as it fell. It was stunning, almost magical. She had never forgotten it. When the first meteor appeared, she had grabbed Harvey's arm, her face alight with wonder. "It's beautiful!" she had exclaimed. Harvey had turned toward her, his expression unreadable. He didn't glance at the sky. His eyes remained on her, unwavering. "It is," he had said. But he hadn't been talking about the stars. The shower began to slow, meteors growing fewer and farther between. That was when she noticed the change. "Harvey," she had murmured, her tone cautious."Yes?" he had answered, his voice as steady as ever. "You're supposed to make a wish when you see a shooting star." She had nudged him playfully, her tone teasing. "Close your eyes and wish for something!" She had made hers. He had shaken his head, his lips curving in a faint smile. "Wishes don't come true like that." "They do!" she had countered, her words firm, as if challenging him to believe. "They really do!" He had finally relented, his expression softening. "Alright, I'll make a wish." But as he had looked at her, there had been something in his gaze—something so tender it had made her chest ache. It was as if she was his only wish. ... "Harvey, what did you wish for?" Addison had asked. But just as he opened his mouth, she had interrupted herself. "Wait, forget it. If you say it out loud, it won't come true." The memory faded, leaving Addison in the quiet, dim room. Tears welled up again, unbidden. She couldn't stop them. She still remembered her wish that night. "I wish Harvey will be my star. My forever star." Her gaze drifted upward to the dark sky outside. The stars glimmered faintly, distant and untouchable. ... Morning came with a chorus of birdsong from the courtyard. Then, a sharp knock broke the stillness. Addison stirred, rubbing her eyes as she rose. Without thinking, she shuffled toward the door, her mind foggy with sleep. Who could it possibly be? The old wooden door groaned as she opened it. "Addison?!" The voice was high-pitched and laced with astonishment.Addison blinked, trying to focus. "Yes, that's me. What's going on?" "What are you doing here?!" The voice grew louder, cutting through the early morning calm. Addison frowned, confusion giving way to irritation. What kind of question was that? Why shouldn't she be here? Her vision cleared, and there she was—Virginia. Standing in the doorway, her expression a mix of shock and, oddly, disappointment. Addison's stomach sank. After a whole day spent evading people, she had hoped for some peace. Yet here Virginia stood, as if summoned by fate itself. How had this happened? Addison started to close the door instinctively, unwilling to entertain the intrusion. "Don't let her shut it!" Virginia snapped, glancing at the tall bodyguard beside her. Without hesitation, the man stepped forward, blocking the door with one broad hand. Addison glared at him but knew she couldn't match his strength. Virginia gave him another look, and with his help, she slipped past the threshold, forcing her way inside. "What do you think you're doing?" Addison asked, her tone icy, her patience gone. Did Virginia really think it was appropriate to barge into someone else's home like this? Clearly, no one had taught her manners. "Why are you here?!" Virginia demanded, her arms crossed tightly as her gaze darted around the modest house. "Shouldn't I be asking you the same thing?" Addison shot back. Her tone was clipped, and her expression was anything but welcoming. It was clear she didn't appreciate uninvited guests. "I'm here for Lance," Virginia announced, her voice firm and confident. "Someone has stolen his medicinal supplies. I followed the trail, and it led me here. But you? How could it possibly be you?" Virginia wasted no time diving into her explanation. She and Lance had been on a mission to secure specific herbs, but shop after shop had turned up empty. Every supplier had the same story: someone had come through earlier and purchased nearly everything. Naturally, Lance had questioned the suppliers.They all described the same buyer: a strikingly beautiful woman, elegantly dressed, who had swept in and bought out stock in quantities that bordered on excessive. The descriptions of what she purchased matched Lance's needs almost exactly. Lance hadn't taken the news lightly. He believed it wasn't a coincidence but an intentional attempt to undermine Johnston Enterprise. With an important meeting on the horizon, he had no time to pursue the culprit himself. Seizing the chance to prove her value, Virginia had eagerly volunteered to hunt down the elusive buyer. After relentless questioning and piecing together bits of information, she'd finally arrived at this small house. But opening the door to find Addison? It defied reason. Yet here Addison stood. "Why are you here?" Virginia's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with disbelief and something sharper—accusation. "You think I stole herbs from Johnston Enterprise? You're here because of that?" Addison responded, her voice calm but distant. She ignored Virginia's question entirely, turning the tables instead. It was true she'd purchased a fair amount of herbs the day before, but the idea of theft was ridiculous. The exhibition was open to all, and if Lance had failed to secure his supplies, it wasn't her fault. Maybe if he'd spent less time whispering sweet nothings and more time paying attention, he wouldn't be in this situation. Virginia remained unbothered by Addison's deflection. "Finding the herbs is just one piece of the puzzle," she said, her voice sharp as a blade. "The real task is finding the person who deliberately sabotaged us. Did you buy a large amount of herbs yesterday?" Her tone dripped with suspicion. She needed to know if this woman was the rich buyer the sellers claimed. Addison pressed her lips tightly together, weighing her response. No matter what she said, it would undoubtedly be turned against her. "I ... " she began, but before she could continue, Virginia raised her hand in a swift motion."Bring the others in. Search the house," Virginia ordered, turning to the bodyguard beside her. "See if anyone else is here." Virginia couldn't fathom how someone like her—an orphan with no family name or wealth—could have been the one to make such a substantial purchase. To Virginia, it was unthinkable. There had to be someone else. Or so she believed. "What exactly do you think you're doing?" Addison demanded, her voice sharp and steady. Her eyes burned with anger. "Breaking into someone's home isn't just rude—it's illegal!" Virginia raised an eyebrow, her expression laced with mockery. "Oh, really? And this house belongs to you, does it?" She didn't wait for a response, turning instead to the bodyguards. "Keep searching. Every corner. Leave nothing unchecked!" Addison stepped forward, trying to block their way, but it was like stopping a tide with a pebble. The bodyguards pushed past her, their movements deliberate as they entered the house. Following Virginia's command, they began rifling through the place without care. One of them knocked over a stack of tea leaves, spilling them across the floor in a messy heap. "Stop this right now!" Addison's voice rang out, sharp and clear. Virginia turned, her gaze icy. "Stop? And why should I? Did you think about going too far when you humiliated me in front of Lance? You accused me of being shallow and gold-digging. That was far worse than this, don't you think?" Her lips curled into a smirk, her tone shifting to something even more cutting. "These bodyguards? Lance sent them to protect me. You must be seething with jealousy." She crossed her arms, the smirk settling into something more permanent. "Admit it. Lance has good taste in bodyguards, doesn't he?" Addison's shoulders straightened, her earlier fury replaced by a calm, resolute demeanor. She met Virginia's gaze without flinching. "If you don't leave now, I'll call the police." Virginia's smirk deepened as she laughed—a short, derisive sound. "The police? Oh, please." She took a step closer, her voice dripping with confidence. "Go ahead, call them. Let's see if anyone in Halton dares to go against the Johnstons." Virginia allowed her words to hover in the air before adding, "And if I'm not mistaken, this building doesn't have security cameras, does it?" Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "So, go ahead. Try me."