"She really poisoned Urs?"


    The news of Urs''s blood testsing back positive for toxins had Cloudia''s emotions running high and wild.


    The doctor nodded, "Ms. Larkin''s condition is quite fragile at the moment. I''d advise caution in handling this situation." Cloudia''s gaze lingered on Urs''s pale face, her heart aching at the sight.


    After offering a few more instructions, the doctor excused himself.


    Jaxon and Yorick didn''t look too thrilled either.


    Cloudia, holding onto Urs''s hand, was visibly shaking, as if she had nearly lost her.


    "Urs, why..."


    "Mom, it''s okay, please don''t me Star."


    "Why did you eat? How could you ept it from her, knowing she''s got it out for you?" Cloudia blurted out in her worry.


    Urs responded, "She is my sister after all, I don''t want to have doubts."


    She was silent on what exactly Ste had given her to eat. But her words had firmly imnted the idea of Ste''s guilt in Yorick and Jaxon''s minds.


    Cloudia turned to Yorick and Jaxon, "Ste can''t stay in Portis City any longer. Today, we nearly lost Urs."


    Her voice was thick with loathing as she spoke.


    Jaxon nodded in agreement, "I believe so, too."


    Yorick had no objections.


    "Mom, please, don''t do this. Jaxon, don''t listen to Mom. Star''s already got enough grievances with you guys. Doing this might just make her disown you altogether."


    Cloudia shot back, "Are we supposed to be scared of her disowning us? She''s never really epted us as family!"


    Cloudia''s bitterness towards Ste deepened with every mention of the word "ept".


    "We finally find her, and she won''t even change herst name or call me ''Mom'' once."


    Even if there had been a falling out between Ste and Urs, Cloudia believed she had treated Ste well before that time. She had put her heart into it, but it hadn''t warmed Ste''s heart, not even enough to earn a single appetion as "Mom".


    With that thought, Cloudia''s disappointment in Ste grew. She turned to Jaxon, more resolute than ever, "Do it. Make sure she leaves Portis City by tomorrow. If


    Se stays,


    Urs''s life could be at risk.


    She had approached Ste with an open heart, but Ste''s response had been anything but warm.


    Enough was enough. During Urs''s recovery, nothing was going to keep Ste in Portis City.


    Jaxon nodded, "Got it."


    "Mom..."


    "Don''t try to defend her. Right now, we need to prioritize your well-being."


    Urs tried to interject, but Cloudia wouldn''t have it.


    Yorick chimed in, "Let''s follow your mom''s n."


    It was clear Ste needed to be sent away from Portis City temporarily not just for Urs''s sake. He also hoped this would cut her ties with those men she''d been involved with.


    ...


    Jaxon was eager to get Ste out.


    That very night, he went down to the central police station to negotiate her swift departure from Portis City.


    But the oue was shocking!


    "Taken by some guy? What guy? She''s suspected of poisoning!"


    "We can''t detain someone without solid evidence. We''re still investigating this matter."


    Jaxon was livid, snarling, "No evidence? My sister nearly died tonight!"


    His anger towards Ste had reached a boiling point, wishing he could exact the most severe of punishments.