Ronald looked around the modest 1,000 square foot apartment, feeling somewhat headache.


    He''d given her more than enough money over the years. Was this really how she took care of herself?


    A phone call had summoned Idris. Ste was packed up overnight and taken to the Wave Residence. Gazing at the grand estate, Ste turned to Ronald, eyes widened in shock, "This is yours?"


    "It''s yours," Ronald corrected her.


    And it truly was. The estate was in Ste''s name.


    The corner of Ste''s lips twitched, "My own?"


    "Yep, remember this ce? You once mentioned you liked it."


    Ste drew a nk. She had said she liked many ces; recalling any specific affection for this ce was hard. But she had always known about it in Portis City.


    Yorick had once been interested in buying the estate when he found out it was unupied, tasking Orion with finding out who owned it. Despite Orion''s efforts, the owner remained a mystery. Now, knowing the estate was hers, Ste was genuinely stunned.


    "We''re going to live here?"


    Ronald nodded, "Yeah. There are some things to take care of in Portis City. We''ll be here for a while."


    Ste merely hummed in acknowledgment. Ronald mentioned having things to handle, and she didn''t pry. She rarely did when it came to his affairs.


    So, Ste moved into the Wave Residence.


    As Idris showed her to her room, he mentioned, "This was supposed to be youring-of-age gift from Mr. Quinn. Though it wasn''t sent by your 18th birthday, it''s never toote." The term ing-of-age gift" made Ste''s eyes sting with unshed tears.


    Ronald had promised her a gift she craved for hering of age. The gift had been in preparation by Ronald personally before their father''s untimely demise. It was such a shame. Ste, signing secretly, nodded, "Yes, it''s neverte."


    The Schultz family had been thoroughly outmaneuvered by Ronald, securing his position at the pinnacle of Ferrond''s elite. No one could harm him now, and Ste was safe too. "Rest up, Ms. Quinn. Breakfast is being prepared. Once Mr. Quinn finishes his video conference, he''ll join you."


    Ste nodded, "Okay."


    Her room faced the sea. As Ste settled in, she watched the dawn break over the horizon; the sunrise over the sea was breathtaking.


    She remembered now. She had mentioned loving this view. Ferrond was ind, and what Ste missed most was watching the sun rise from the sea''s embrace. Ronald had remembered all along.


    ...


    At the hospital.


    Urs had been wracked with pain all night, looking utterly worn out by morning.


    Cloudia was beside herself with worry.


    Jaxon had also stayed throughout the night, his temper ring on more than one asion.


    But Urs''s condition was severe, and even the strongest painkillers barely made a dent. Yorick returned.


    Cloudia rushed up, "Rick, any luck? Did she agree to call Professor James?"


    Face sour, Yorick cast a nce at Urs, a nce saying it all as the rest knew the answer he would make.


    Ste hadn''t budged.


    Cloudia''s frustration boiled over, "How can she be so cruel? This is a matter of life and death."


    Urs swept a nce at Yorick, then quickly turning away to hide her tears. Seeing her like this only hardened Yorick''s view of Ste.


    Cloudia dialed Ste''s number directly, only to be met with a cold automated rejection.


    Ste had already blocked her.


    Unable to get through the call, she grew more furious, "She''s pissing me off."


    Cloudia promptly borrowed a phone from a nurse and finally got through to Ste. The call connected; before Ste could speak, Cloudia unleashed her frustration. "Ste, this is too much. Picking on Urs is one thing, but now in her hour of need, you''re still acting out?"


    "Mrs. Larkin, are you using me? I don''t believe you''re in any position to," Ste''s icy reply cut through.


    Cloudia''s hand gripping on the phone quivered at the words, her anger simmering. No mother in the world could ept the tone how their daughter addressed with. Cloudia corrected her through clenched teeth, "No matter what you call me, I am your mother. Your biological mother! That''s unchangeable."


    The disdain was palpable even over the phone.


    Ste''s derisiveugh echoed, "My biological mother? You''ve certainly shown me what that means."