Ronald dropped Ste off at the Orient Nexus Building.


    As she stepped out of the car, he mentioned that the driver would pick her up in the evening and advised her to have a good dinner when she got back.


    Ste expressed a desire to dine with Susanna, to which Ronald agreed but insisted the driver take her to the restaurant.


    Ste was unwilling, for she intended to have hot wings with Susanna, but Ronald''s attitude suggested she wasn''t allowed to do that.


    "Alright then," Ste responded meekly, clearly disappointed at missing out on the hot wings experience.


    Ronald nced at her, offered a smile, and instructed Idris to drive off.


    Ste stood still, cheeks still flushed with emotions.


    Returning from lunch, Tabitha noticed Ste''s reddened face at the entrance of the building. She approached, examining closely Ste''s expression. Startled by her moves, Ste stepped back, "What are you doing?"


    "Boss, your face is all red. Are you in love?"


    The mention of romance brought back memories of Ste''s engagement to Yorick, a time when everyone at the studio felt sorry for her.


    It was well-known that Yorick''s heart belonged to Urs, leaving many to believe Ste could do better and would be miserable if she married him.


    But it turned out, Ste had never nned to marry him to begin with.


    "What in love? Stop talking nonsense," Ste denied.


    That was his brother, the one who raised her!


    "You''re free now, there''s nothing wrong with dating," Tabitha pointed out.


    Ste remained silent. She knew Tabitha was right, but she just didn''t want to. A hint of sadness flickered in her eyes that Tabitha couldn''t quite decipher.


    ...


    The studio was bustling in the afternoon.


    Ste was swamped with work, fielding calls from a couple of major clients.


    Just before closing time, she received a series of personal calls, beginning with Yorick.


    "Ste, tell me exactly who that man is!"


    Yorick''s loud voice boomed with anger, clearly a sign showing he had recovered from his recent injuries.


    Ste responded indifferently, "Why do you need to know?"


    "I''ll tear his head off!"


    Yorick was livid. The bruises he got at Silk-River Residences hadn''t recovered and today a broken wrist. His pride wouldn''t allow him to let the assant off easily.


    Hearing Yorick''s fury, Ste scoffed, "If you''re so capable, find out yourself. Why ask me?" "Ste!" Yorick roared again.


    If Orion was able to find out that man''s identity, he wouldn''t have resorted to asking her.


    Ste ended the call with a curt, "Crazy," and promptly cklisted the number.


    ...


    Soon after, Cloudia called.


    "What''s going on with your studio? How much are you hiding from me?"


    Ste replied, "Hiding? Is there a need?"


    She had never concealed anything, especially not from the Larkin family, feeling no obligation to disclose any details.


    Cloudia exploded, "What do you mean by ''is there a need''? I''m your mother!"


    "Having Jaxon and Urs, these two losers, call your ''Mom'' should be enough. Don''t drag me in it."


    Ste was implying anyone called Cloudia "Mom" ended up a loser.


    Cloudia was ustomed to Ste''s sharp tongue, but today''s venom was particrly potent, almost driving her to fury.


    Especially since their recent conversations hinted at Ste wanting to cut ties, which Cloudia hadn''t understood until now.


    Realizing Ste had made moneyst year exined her newfound boldness.


    "Where are you? I''ming right now."


    Ste retorted, "Better you look after Urs, that sickly one. I don''t have time for you."


    1.n


    Busy making money, Ste had no spare moments to waste. She hung up the phone, regretting not using separate phones for work and personal matters to avoid picking up every unknown call for fear of missing her clients''.