When Jaxon brought the news back to the hospital, Cloudia was furious, ranting for a good ten minutes, "A disgrace to the family, an absolute disgrace! How on earth did I give birth to such a blight on our family name? She must be sent away, no matter what it takes." If Ste remained in Portis City, and the high societydies found out she had risked her own reputation for some money-making scheme, where would the Larkins put their faces?


    Urs was also surprised at how quickly Ste had been released from the police station - and even more so that she was picked up by a man. It seemed she had underestimated her; she had thought Yorick was Ste''s only option, but apparently, there was a backup. Well, she was curious to see who this new knight in shining armor was.


    No matter who he was, she was determined to steal him away. As long as Ste was in Portis City, Urs would ensure she had nothing.


    "Absolutely infuriating," Cloudia seethed, her chest heaving with anger.


    Yorick was equally enraged.


    Was the man Jaxon mentioned Finley, or the one from the Silk-River Residences?


    ...


    Ste, unaware of the hospital''s drama that night, had dinner with Ronald before he retreated to his study, soon followed by Idris.


    After her shower, just as Ste settled into bed, her phone rang.


    It was Susanna, "Star, I got word. Yorick and Jaxon are teaming up to shut down your studio. My mom already got a message forbidding any coboration with you. She told me to warn you." Shutting down her studio?


    Previously, their actions were covert, but now they were openly aggressive.


    How deeply were they influenced by Urs''s words?


    "Please thank your mom for me. Tell her I''ve got plenty of projects, and she shouldn''t worry."


    "She''s actually handed you a big project."


    "Then, please thank her for me."


    "No problem. Do you need any help from my end? Though I guess you don''t, considering your brother could easily take care of them."


    Before, Susanna might have worried Ste couldn''t handle the Larkins but not anymore. With a brother like hers taking them down would be a breeze.


    Ste responded, "No need for my brother''s involvement. I''ve got a n."


    "Why?"


    "If my brother intervenes, they''d be dead for sure. It won''t be fun."


    "Right," Susanna agreed, "that slut Urs deserves a slow, painful payback. Quick revenge is too good for her." Reassured by Ste''s calm demeanor, Susanna rxed, and the two chatted a bit longer before hanging up. Then, an unknown number called.


    Ste answered, "Hello?"


    "Was it Finley who bailed you out, or was it that man?" Yorick''s voice came from the other end, tight with anger. Ste couldn''t understand his fury.


    Was he angry he hadn''t managed to keep her locked up?


    Considering their past, where Yorick, Jaxon, and Cloudia had all wanted her to pay a price for Urs''s sake, theiranger now seemed almostically self-righteous.


    Ste chuckled lightly, "Does it matter who bailed me out? Certainly wasn''t you, my ex-fiancé."


    The term "ex-fiancé" hit Yorick like a sharp jab, intensifying his rage. Hearing Ste''s nonchnt tone through the phone only fueled his anger further.


    "Ste, do you have no shame? How does sinking so low benefit you?"


    "And would staying pure for you have been better? You''re hardly worth that effort!"