Yorick stormed out of the Silk-River Residences, his mind buzzing relentlessly.


    Orion had been waiting for him downstairs, and the moment he saw Yorick''s ashen face and the bruise forming, he gasped, "Ms. Quinn still didn''t agree?" Was refusing to get married not enough that she had to hit him too? Thinking about Ste''s fiery temper, Orion couldn''t help but shiver once more.


    Yorick shot Orion a look. That icy re was all Orion needed to know that Yorick had failed again.


    Orion sighed involuntarily, "Women need to be charmed, you know."


    "Charmed, huh!" Yorick spat the word out with a heavy dose of sarcasm, making Orion fall silent.


    With Ste''s stubbornness, charming her seemed like an impossible task. After all, she wasn''t someone who could ept others'' opinions. She was known for her incapability and petnce. Yorick''s eyes narrowed dangerously, "Find out about the man who''s been hanging around hertely."


    "What?"


    As hearing "man", Orion looked at Yorick in disbelief, unable to believe the news. The idea of another man in Ms. Quinn''s life was shocking to him.


    "That, that''s impossible. Ms. Quinn is always on her own, if not, it''s only Ms. Susanna Tucker keeping herpany."


    In Orion''s words, Ste was a homebody, to put it nicely. Less kindly, she was seen as azy moocher who hardly ever left her apartment.


    Yet, despite her temper, incapability and high pride, the idea of her having a man in her life seemed far-fetched; if not for the backing of the Larkin family, Yorick, as the only man around, wouldn''t be by her side. At the sight of Orion''s incredulous expression, Yorick''s face grew even more menacing, "I saw it with my own eyes."


    Orion was speechless, finding it difficult to believe.


    Yorick couldn''t shake off the image of Ronald''s dangerous eyes and the ease with which he brandished a weapon. His face seemed somewhat familiar, but he just couldn''t recall where he had seen it before. "He must be involved in some shady business," Yorick spoke after a moment of thought.


    He was determined to uncover the identity of this mysterious figure in Portis City. No matter who he was, he was hell-bent on sending him to hell.


    Yorick''s words baffled Orion even more. Given Ste''s temper, it was impossible for her to get tangled with someone handling shady business.


    ...


    Downstairs, Yorick fumed as he left.


    Upstairs, Ste''s drowsiness had beenpletely scared away by themotion, especially Ronald''s imposing demeanor.


    Now, sitting on hisp again, she felt far from the child he used to dote on. Ronald seemed to enjoy holding her, yet she was no longer a child but a grown woman.


    Being in his arms, she could no longer feel the affection he had on her as a kid. At the moment, the danger emanating from Ronald was palpable.


    Ste looked down, "Well, can we just talk directly, please?"


    The mess Yorick had caused seemed to undo all her attempts at exnation.


    Ronald asked, "Were you protecting him just now?"


    Ste shook her head, "No, I just didn''t want to dirty the ce where I''ve been living for two years."


    Ronald could kill someone. She clearly sensed the murderous intent like before.


    Beneath his gentle facade, there was a merciless heart. When she got kidnapped at thirteen years old andter Ronald found her, he took all the kidnappers lives in her presence. Since then, she realized Ronald didn''t seem as gentle as he appeared. Once he got ruthless, someone would die.


    Moments ago, if Yorick refused to leave, Ste was sure Ronald would kill him!


    "In some ce like Portis City, you can''t breach thew," Ste''s voice was like a whisper.


    Ronald chuckled, "Star, lecturing me onw?"


    Ste pouted, "Anyway, I''ve told you the reason I agreed to get engaged with Yorick back then. Don''t kill people as you want."


    If people had feuds, they could settle the scores by all means, yet murder was not a solution. Despite years by Ronald''s side, she was still terrified of bloodshed.


    Ronald, sensing her stiff body, was aware that the incident had left her serious psychological shadow. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have been frightened by the Schultzes threat or have obeyed what they required.


    As Ronald thought of her inner fear, the harsh edge to his demeanor faded, reced by an older brother''s tenderness.


    "Alright, we''ll follow your wishes, and be a good citizen."


    Ste doubted his sincerity.


    Ronald gently ruffled her hair, "Want to continue sleeping?"


    Ste shook her head.


    How could she fall asleep after what had happened. She was wide awake.


    Ronald suggested, "Since you''re not going to sleep, let''s go."


    "Where to?"


    Ste looked unwittingly out at the pitch-ck night and then at the clock. It was six in the morning, but in Portis City, dawn camete.