Ste had slept peacefully through it all. No matter the turmoil the Quarry and Larkin families had found themselves in, she remained untouched by the mayhem. She was up at the crack of dawn, nning to head to her studio. But instead, Ronald took her to the hospital.


    Ste was puzzled. "Why does Old Mrs. Zeller want to see me?"


    Old Mrs. Zeller, the elderlydy who had previously helped Ronald at the hospital had called himst night, expressing a desire to meet Ste.


    And so, bright and early, Ronald had brought Ste over.


    Ronald said, "Probably because she''s taken a liking to you."


    "Huh? But we''ve only met twice. Does she have a grandson or something?"


    It''s often the case that when elderly women take a special interest in a young woman, matchmaking is usually their intention.


    Ronald chuckled.


    Affectionately pinching Ste''s cheek, he said, "If that was the reason, do you think I''d bring you here?"


    Ste was left speechless.


    Well, no, of course not.


    She remembered back in Ferrond, when she was just fifteen or sixteen, how the noble families had nearly broken down the Quinn family''s door, all in hopes of securing a marriage alliance with her.


    The Quinn family heir and their biological daughter were out of reach, so many had set their sights on Ste. Unfortunately, all were turned away by Ronald on the grounds that she was still too young! Back then, she had indeed been young, but what about now?


    Thinking this, Ste couldn''t help but give Ronald a few extra nces.


    The car came to a stop.


    Ronald said, "Let Idris apany you."


    "Oh."


    Knowing Idris was there for additional ns besides driving, Ste hadn''t expected it was to apany her to see Old Mrs. Zeller.


    Idris got out of the car and respectfully opened the door for Ste.


    She nced at Ronald. "Then off I go."


    ""Wait."


    Just as Ste was about to step out of the car, Ronald suddenly called out to her, his voice tinged with a restrained desire. Ste turned back. "What''s up?"


    Ronald pulled her back in, her back against the car door as he reached towards her chest.


    Caught off guard by his sudden movement, Ste tensed, momentarily unsure of how to react. Her face flushed red in an instant. "Ron... Ronald...."


    Stammering, Ste tried to speak, but at that moment, the words wouldn''te. Her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her throat. However, Ronald was merely adjusting her clothing.


    Looking down, she saw Ronald''s well-defined fingers deftly buttoning up her shirt.


    Ste was at a loss for words.


    Ronald even checked the button carefully, his expression displeased. "The buttonhole''s gotten loose; you can''t wear this anymore." Ste''s face turned even redder.


    Ronald took off his scarf and wrapped it around her, the ends hanging down just right to cover up.


    Looking up, Ronald saw Ste''s flushed face and stiffened. "Why are you blushing?"


    Ste stammered, "I... well..."


    Shoot! His sudden move had made her think he was about to do something else.


    Catching on, a hint of amusement appeared in Ronald''s eyes. "Did you think I was about to do something to you?"


    Ste''s already red face turned a deeper shade at Ronald''s words.


    "Stop it." She quickly turned to leave the car.


    But as she did, Ronald caught her wrist, pulling gently, and Ste found herself crashing into his embrace. "You..."


    A low chuckle escaped Ronald, his voiceing from above.


    "So you''ve grown up, even learned to be shy."


    "Stop talking."


    Ronald pinched her cheek. "Tell me, what did you think I was going to do?"


    "I don''t know, stop asking."


    The embarrassing thoughts that had shed through her mind in that instant, she couldn''t let Ronald know.