Imogen tried to catch Ste''s attention for one more plea.


    However, Ste was resolute, "Imogen, I''m sorry, but Yorick isn''t the man I can entrust my life to."


    Imogen was at a loss for words.


    Ste continued, "I wasn''t asking for his undivided attention, but he couldn''t even offer me the basic respect I deserve."


    Imogen muttered, "It..."


    Indeed, Yorick had not shown Ste the respect she deserved. Even as his mother, Imogen couldn''t justify her son''s behavior on this matter.


    "But what will you do? Without Yorick, your days in the Larkin family will be even harder," Imogen warned Ste, reminding her of her precarious position in the Larkin family. Despite their mutual disdain for Urs, it was undeniable that she held a significant ce within the Larkin family.


    Ste remained silent, her gaze lowered.


    Imogen went on, "Don''t rush to give me an answer. I''ll speak to Yorick about this, and we''ll get Urs out as soon as possible."


    How irritating! The very thought of Urs bewitching Yorick to such an extent infuriated Imogen. The idea of Ste and Yorick breaking up, allowing Yorick to be even more reckless with Urs, was something Imogen couldn''t stay calm about.


    "The Larkins are all siding with Urs. If you keep shing with Yorick, it''s you who will suffer," Imogen cautioned, urging Ste to endure.


    And being her future mother-inw, Imogen vowed to stand by Ste''s side. Everyone seemed to believe that Ste had no ce in the Larkin family and that her only escape would be the Quarry family.


    Ste nced at Imogen, "Hard times or not, haven''t I always made it through? Imogen, let''s just leave it as it is between me and Yorick."


    Since they already had arrived at this situation, Ste was determined and clear about her stance. She didn''t want to leave anyone harboring false hopes.


    In other words, she was someone who hatedplications and preferred to cut through the mess.


    At the sight of Ste''s firm attitude, Imogen''s face was somewhat sour, "You..."


    She had tried every argument, even setting aside her own pride, yet Ste remained unmoved. Imogen''s tone carried a clear note of dissatisfaction.


    Ste, unwilling to waste more time, curtly said, "I''ll be going now," and forcefully ced a ne in Imogen''s hand before turning to leave. Imogen, wanting to say more but stopped by Ste''s decisive departure and the sight of the ne in her hand, stamped her foot in frustration. The butler appeared behind her, "Madam."


    "What is she so proud of? Aside from Yorick, who else would have her?"


    With her engagement to Yorick known throughout Portis City, who else would be so blind as to marry her on short notice?


    And as for the Larkins...


    Without Yorick, would they treat her any better?


    Imogen couldn''t understand where Ste''s confidence came from, bold enough to even reject her.


    The butler nced in the direction Ste had left, "Youthful pride, I suppose. She can''t swallow the insult."


    In the butler''s view, Ste was simply unable to digest the affront from Urs.


    Imogen shared this opinion. She snorted, "She could''ve picked a better time and ce for her tantrums. Let her make a scene with the Larkins if she wants, but acting so high and mighty in front of me?"


    If it weren''t for the matriarch insisting Yorick marry Ste, iming Ste''spatibility was exceptional, Imogen wouldn''t give any of the Larkin daughters a second nce.


    Fuming over Yorick and Urs''s dalliance, and even more so over Ste being the one to initiate the breakup, Imogen felt their family had lost face.


    And then there was the matriarch''s ultimatum to win Ste back.


    With Ste''s fearless demeanor, how could she possibly manage? Imogen was livid.


    "It pissed me off! Which hospital is that Urs at?"


    The butler replied, "Portis Medicenter."


    ...


    Ste left Quarry Manor and had just reached her car when a car horn sounded nearby. Looking over, she saw Yorick''s Phantom.


    He hadn''t left?


    Yorick stepped out, a cigarette in hand. His poised figure radiated a natural authority and an air of exclusivity.


    Honestly, he was incredibly handsome. Under his leadership, Quarry Group''s market value had doubled in a year. He was also respectful and filial to his elders. Everything about him was admirable, except his terrible taste in women.


    Ste''s gaze met Yorick''s, her expression unimpressed.


    Yorick broke the silence, "Give your car keys to Orion. He''ll drive it back to Silk-River Residences for you. You ride with me."


    "I can drive myself," Ste replied sharply, her words dripping with sarcasm.


    This was the charm of an independent woman, never to be the one left behind.