Ste carelessly tossed her bag onto the couch, a move so practiced it seemed second nature.


    Jeremy watched, a flicker of meaning crossing his eyes. A customized bag treated with such nonchnce.


    Were the Larkins all blind? How could they think Ste was some country bumpkin? Which "country" raised their kids to be so extravagantly wasteful?


    He remembered Sirena saying, "Jaxon''s sister is just a country girl, clueless about everything. The Larkins can''t take her anywhere."


    At the time, Jeremy believed it, but now, he thought they must all be blind.


    "Mr. Patel?"


    Noticing Jeremy''s silent stare at her bag, Ste frowned, "Do you like my bag, Mr. Patel?"


    Jeremy snapped back, "Huh?"


    "If you like it, it''s yours," Ste offered.


    Jeremy was speechless. Such generosity? A bag worth tens, maybe hundreds of thousands, offered so casually. Truly, only someone raised by Ronald could afford to be so. But then again, for the Quinns, Ste couldn''t possibly spend it all.


    "No need."


    Despite its value, what use did he have for a woman''s bag? To gift it to a woman? He wasn''t seeing anyone!


    Quickly, he pulled out a box from his pocket and pushed it across the desk towards Ste.


    Ste''s stomach momentarily churned as she saw another velvet box, "What''s this for, Mr. Patel?"


    Another gift? Or was he still hoping for a favor through her, a favor that wouldn''t even work with Ronald?


    Embarrassed, Jeremy exined, "That box before, have you opened it?"


    Ste kept silent.


    The item was indeed a mistake; she knew it.


    After all, he was the heir of one of the top ns in Portis City, and there was no way he was clueless about what he sent.


    She had thought Jeremy was nuts. Turned out he hadn''t lost his mind; he''d simply given the wrong gift.


    "So, Mr. Patel, you mean you want the previous gift back?"


    Jeremy nodded, "Yes."


    Ste''s lips twitched at his words. Her gaze inadvertently drifted towards the trash can, now empty.


    Of course, the trash had been taken out.


    Shoot!


    Ste admitted, "I, uh, might not be able to return it."


    "What do you mean?" Jeremy tensed up at her words.


    Ste recounted how Ronald had found the ring in the box and everything that ensued, adding a few grievances towards Jeremy for the scare she got. Jeremy''s heart sank further when he realized Ronald''s displeasure might have been about the ring.


    So, that call from Idris was rted to the ring?


    Looking at Ste withplicated emotions, Jeremy asked, "Didn''t you tell him it might have been a mix-up?"


    "How was I supposed to know if you''d mixed it up?"


    At the time, Ste was more concerned about her own safety than Jeremy''s fate. The rest she couldn''t care more.


    Jeremy breathed heavily, "Where''s the ring now?"


    "He threw it away, in the trash."


    Ste had thought about retrieving the ring to return it to Jeremy, but never got the chance with Ronald in the office all along.


    Daring to pick it up in his presence? She might as well have been signing her own death warrant.