Hearing the voice, the group turned their heads in unison to see Ste, d in a beige trench coat, standing not too far off.


    Her hands were buried in her pockets, a yful amusement in her eyes.


    In that moment, the trio felt their hearts leap into their throats.


    Ste sauntered over with an air of nonchnce, Idris trailing behind her, his expression somewhat grim.


    The reports had one story, but seeing it with their own eyes was wholly unexpected. To think they would go to such lengths against their own blood.


    Ste stopped in front of Cloudia, "nning a little kidnapping, are we? For Urs''s sake?"


    Cloudia was on edge, her nerves stretched thin. She hadn''t anticipated Ste overhearing their plot. What rotten luck.


    She took a deep breath, "Let Tegan and Finleye back."


    "And if I refuse? What then? You''ll kill me?"


    That was the n, wasn''t it? She''d heard it all.


    They were actually contemting kidnapping her to force her hand in calling Tegan and Finley, all for Urs''s sake.


    What did blood ties even mean, at this point?


    Cloudia, now facing Ste''s casual demeanor, found herself at a loss for words.


    Jaxon, witnessing Ste''s imposing stance towards Cloudia, stepped forward in a fit of anger and pushed Ste away, "Enough! Is this how a younger should address an elder?"


    As Ste stumbled, Idris immediately steadied her beforending a swift kick to Jaxon''s stomach. The pain was sharp and immediate.


    Jaxon clutched his abdomen, his face turning pale, "You..."


    Seeing Jaxon get hit, Cloudia rushed to support him. Her face, previously dominated by Ste''s intimidation, now crumbled into despair, "What''s the meaning of this?" Yorick''s gaze shifted to Idris, a dangerous gleam in his eyes.


    Another man? And who might this be?


    Feeling the menacing aura emanating from that man, Yorick squinted, signaling a threat, "Ste,e over here!"


    At this moment, his difort was palpable.


    Why were


    here so many men


    Sheet


    In just a few days, she


    to have been apanied


    by three different men.


    Noticing Yorick''s icy tone towards Ste, Idris tilted his head slightly and asked Ste, "Should we take action?"


    Yorick was speechless.


    Taking action? What did he mean by that? After hitting Jaxon, he now wanted to confront him as well?


    The rage was boiling over in Yorick.


    "Ste!" He gritted his teeth, ring at Ste. The tension in the air was palpable.


    Ste''s gaze fell on Yorick''s slightly bruised face and the cast on his wrist.


    "Let''s not, he''s had enough beatings for the past few days."


    At her words, Yorick''s head buzzed with intense humiliation.


    Idris nodded, and then said to Ste, "Let''s go see Old Mrs. Zeller then."


    "Alright."


    Ste and Idris strode past Jaxon and Cloudia.


    Yorick''s gaze followed her, his eyes colder than ever.


    "Ste, stop right there."


    Cloudia had reached her limit. Especially seeing Jaxon lying on the ground, unable to get up, she felt like she was going to explode. The past two years had been nothing but frustration over Ste, and seeing Jaxon beaten only added fuel to the fife.


    Ste paused, turning to face her, "What now?"


    "Bring back Tegan and Finley. Whatever you want, I''ll agree to."


    "Mrs. Larkin, you sure know how to bend, ying it tough and then soft."


    It came from her own mother. Just moments ago, she was threatening to kidnap her own daughter, and now here she was, softening her tone.


    BUMS


    Ste had seen her share of shameless people over the years, but Cloudia was something else entirely.