Yorick marched straight to the sofa and plopped down, itching for a smoke.


    No sooner had he fished out a cigarette from the pack than Ste swooped in, snatching it away and tossing it into the trash. Yorick''s face darkened, "What the heck?"


    When had he ever been treated like this? Back when he was with Urs, she wouldn''t utter a peep, no matter what he did. Ste stated, "I can''t stand the smell of smoke."


    Yorick was speechless.


    This woman!


    Fine, he wouldn''t smoke.


    Yorick bit back his anger, his mind drifting to the morning''s trending gossip that nearly crashed his family''s phone lines.


    "Was it Susanna who spread today''s news?"


    He couldn''t believe she actually wanted to call off their wedding. Was she overreacting?


    Ste didn''t reply, heading to the fridge instead to grab a slice of cheesecake.


    Lunch had been a light affair, followed by a shopping spree with Susanna for two hours.


    Seeing Ste ignore himpletely drove Yorick up the wall.


    "A wedding is supposed to be about us. Why turn it into a public spectacle?"


    It was tolerable if she hurled some harsh lines to him, but now their news were the talk of the town. He couldn''t forgive her for this.


    Ste countered, "Is it really just about us?"


    If it were just between them two, things would be simple.


    She shot Yorick a cold look, adding, "Either way, if I hadn''t made it public, someone else would''ve stirred the pot. Better I take the initiative." Yorick knew exactly whom she meant by "someone".


    "Don''t always paint Urs in a bad light."


    Ste chuckled, spooning cheesecake into her mouth, "If she''s not the viin, why the rush to send her packing two years ago?"


    Yorick fell silent. Mentioning the events from two years ago only darkened his mood further.


    "That time, you were so aggressive about that incident. If Urs hadn''t left, you would''ve really had her jailed, right?"


    After another bite of cheesecake, Ste nodded, "Yes."


    Yorick''s expression grew even grimmer. Remembering those moments, he couldn''t help but feel a surge of disdain for Ste.


    Her knack for causing drama hadnded her in her current precarious standing within the Larkin family.


    Now, he felt stuck, unable to actually call off their wedding.


    Yorick softened his tone a bit, "Urs is just ill. Once she recovers, she''ll be sent away."


    Ste merely gave him a frigid nce and stayed silent.


    Yorick pressed on, "Your parents won''t let you get away with this forever. You''re only making things harder for yourself."


    He knew all too well the Larkin family''s tactics against Ste. Her financial support had likely already been cut off.


    Yorick nced around the apartment, "How long is the lease on this ce? When''s the rent due again?"


    Remembering that Ste had rented this apartment after moving out from the Larkin family''s estate, he knew the rent at Silk-River Residences wasn''t cheap. Ste''s unit alone would set her back one thousand at least. By bringing this up at the moment, Yorick was reminding Ste that she wasn''t in a position to be reckless.


    Ste responded, "You should leave."


    "You..."


    Yorick''s frustration deepened. Just as he was about to retort, his phone vibrated. Urs was calling.


    Without avoiding Ste''s presence, he answered, "Urs."


    What was this?


    The one in a marriage asking for help had no right to be respected?


    Despite his reluctance to upset Ste further, he unashamedly took this call from another woman right in front of her?


    Ste''s ensuing uproar led to Yorick''s raw anger, his two years of pretence being exposed subsequently.


    Whatever Urs said on the phone had him standing up, "Don''t worry, I''ll be right there."


    After hanging up, he nced at Ste.


    "Think over what I just said. No matter what you do, everyone''s primary concern will be Urs''s health for the time being."


    His stance was clear - Ste''s protests were futile.


    Ignoring him, Ste went straight to the foyer to bring in the shopping bags she and Susanna had umted, all from upscale brands.


    Yorick eyed the bags, momentarily taken aback.


    "You still have money to go shopping now?"


    Had the Larkin family decided against punishing her this time?


    Previously, her rebellious acts would result in her credit card being disabled for weeks, a reminder of her status. Recognized as a Larkin, she was their daughter; otherwise, she was nothing. Ste shot him a look, "Since when is shopping a crime?"


    Yorick was left speechless.


    This woman...she had a knack for infuriating others.