Ste remained silent.


    "Just get her better, okay? What I''ve owed you, I''ll pay you back, I promise. Okay?"


    Each word from Cloudia was tinged with a desperate plea. The priority was clear: to heal Urs first, and then they could discuss any debts.


    Ste replied, "Mrs. Larkin, have you forgotten? You give my life. How could you possibly owe me anything?"


    This echoed the words Cloudia had once said to her. Back then, Cloudia had been so determined, adopting a mix of stern and soft tactics for Urs''s sake.


    "Now you realize that cutting off my finances and having all thosepanies cklist me won''t stop me. So now you resort to begging?"


    The moment those words were spoken, silence engulfed the phone call, only Cloudia''s increasingly frantic breathing could be heard.


    At the end of the hospital corridor, Cloudia felt her blood run cold at Ste''s words.


    Over the phone, Ste chuckled, "You pay me back? If Urs really gets better, that''s when you''lle to settle the score with me, right?"


    Ste knew them too well. After all, this wasn''t the first time they hade to her over Urs.


    Urs was indeed a handful- even from afar, she caused trouble. But it always came down to the same thing: ''It''s not Star''s fault, it''s all on me!''


    Cloudia panicked, "No, that''s not it. I''m sincerely apologizing to you now."


    "Right, as if anything you do for Urs isn''t sincere."


    Cloudia fell silent, her panic escting at Ste''s words.


    At the moment, she had even forgotten Ste''s earlier insinuations. All she remembered was Ste''s refusal, refusal to call Tegan, refusal to let Finley treat Urs. "So tell me, what do you want?" Cloudia''s tone was losing control.


    On the other end, Ste replied, "Let


    her


    Wideat with her issues, and I''ll de . What can I possible


    her?


    With that, she hung up directly, leaving Cloudia to face her ruthlessness once more.


    Ste was beyond irritated.


    Then came a knock on the door.


    "Come in."


    As the words left her mouth, the door swung open, revealing Ronald''s tall and elegant figure. He was already wearing his coat, clearly about to leave.


    "You haven''t taken your nap?"


    Ronald frowned as he asked, stepping inside.


    "No, not really."


    Ste asked, "Going out?"


    Ronald nodded, "Yeah, I need to head out. Should be back by dinner to keep youpany. Try to get some rest."


    Hearing Ronald''s assurance of


    returning for dinner brought a smile


    to Ste''s face. The frustration she


    felt from her conversation with Cloudia dissipated.


    After all, why should she bother about those unrted to her? With that thought, she felt a bit better. Ronald left after giving her a few instructions.


    Back at the hospital, Cloudia was fuming. It took her nearly five minutes to regain herposure. Just as she was about to return to the ward, she bumped into Yorick.