As Ronald frowned, ready to say something more, Ste''s stomach let out an unmistakable growl.


    The next moment, Ronald''s expression darkened even further.


    "Haven''t eaten enough?"


    Ste mumbled in grievance, "I barely had a bite."


    After that, the atmosphere in the car instantly turned heavy, and Ronald shot a cold nce at Finley, who was sitting in the passenger seat. Feeling the chill from that look, Finley shivered.


    "Wait, I asked you, and you told me you were full, no?"


    Yes, he had taken Ste out for a meal. But she was an adult, for crying out loud. Surely, he wasn''t expected to spoon-feed her?


    Finley was at his wit''s end.


    Ste said, "It''s not Finley''s fault. We''d barely started when someone caused a scene."


    "See? Even she says it''s not on me," Finley defended.


    Finley was losing it.


    This lunatic Ronald always treating the girl he had practically raised as if she was a delicate flower that could never grow up. Any slight difort for Ste, and those around her would surely pay the price. The phone buzzed again, an unknown number shing on the screen.


    Ronald answered, "Hello?"


    "Mr. Quinn, it''s me. What in the world happened? Why did you leave so abruptly? I mean..."


    Jeremy''s voice, full of restrained panic, came through and before he could finish, Ronald abruptly ended the call. "Idris."


    "Yes, Mr. Quinn?"


    "Call Jeremy backter. Tell him..."


    Ronald paused, ncing at Ste beside him.


    Feeling his gaze, Ste said nervously, "I wasn''t wronged."


    Sensing another storm brewing within him because of her, she quickly added that.


    But it was futile.


    "Tell him, excessive persistence is futile. He should take care of his home matters first," Ronald instructed.


    Ste was speechless, thinking, "Home matters? Is he suggesting Jeremy give Sirena a good beating?"


    The conflict at the banquet today was between her and Sirena! If Jeremy found out the coboration fell through because of Sirena''s antics, given his standing in the Patel family, Sirena was in for a world of trouble. Idris replied, "Understood."


    "Please, if Jeremy is a good business partner, let''s not go down this path," Ste quickly intervened.


    After all, she hadn''t been wronged. Prioritizing Ronald''s interests had always been her way, no matter when.


    Idris caught a glimpse of Ste and Ronald through the rearview mirror and couldn''t help but think, "Of all the people Sirena could have antagonized, she had to pick the one dearest to Ronald''s heart."


    Back in Ferrond, some heiresses dared to mock Ste for being nothing but an adopted daughter of the Quinn family. What became of themter, no outsider knew, but Idris was well aware.


    The extent of Ronald''s protection over Ste was clear from the moment he took her in as a baby. His precious, how could he let anyone bully her?


    ...


    Upon reaching Mist Bay, dinner was ready, and Ste was famished.


    Ronald, ever so calmly, served her food, "Eat slowly, no one''s taking it away from you."


    Watching Ste devour her meal, Finley couldn''t help but remark, "You see, kids should be left to roam free. Look at her, eating so well behaved now." That earned him a cold re from Ronald.


    Finley pouted, "Just stating facts."


    Back in Ferrond, Ste used to be so picky at meals, always fussing over this and that.