Suddenly, Ste passed by.


    Upon seeing her, Cloudia''s expression hardened even further.


    Ste''s face was set in a mask of cold indifference, sparing not a single nce for anyone deemed unworthy of her attention.


    Following closely behind her, Idris'' expression was stormy, a clear sign that not all was well.


    Ste breezed past Cloudia without a word, leaving Imogen momentarily speechless, her lips parting as if to say something but finding herself at a loss for words.


    Ste was gone.


    Imogen turned to Cloudia with a chilling tone. "You think you''ve struck gold, but it''s merely fool''s gold. The real treasure, its value beyond measure, remains unrecognized. Mark my words: if you dare involve Urs with Rick again, I''ll ensure it''s the end of her." Her words wereced with a dangerous edge, no trace of jest.


    Cloudia, visibly shaken, was rendered speechless by Imogen''s threat. Leaning against the cold wall, she trembled uncontrobly.


    ...


    Over at the Larkin Group, news of Urs fainting from an argument with Ste had Jaxon rushing to the hospital to check on the situation. However, no sooner had he stepped out of his office than he was intercepted by ise.


    "You heading out?"


    Jaxon nodded. "Mom said Ste got into an argument with Urs at the hospital and made Urs faint. She''s being resuscitated now." ise''s expression darkened.


    "Do you not see the pile of urgent matters needing attention here at thepany?" ise chided, alluding to the myriad of challenges they were currently facing, none of which were minor or easy to handle. Jaxon, already tense, felt his breath tighten further.


    For two days, they''d been grappling with an unknown adversary targeting the Larkin family business, with partners abruptly seeking to terminate their coborations.


    Upon learning that Cloudia had called Jaxon, ise''s frustration only intensified.


    "Head to TrueVision Inc. right now and meet with their CEO. We need to understand why they''re pulling out of the partnership," ise instructed, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Jaxon nodded, "I''ll head there right away."


    ise instructed, "Make it quick."


    "Understood," Jaxon replied, fully aware of thepany''s dire situation. A mishandling of this issue could lead to bankruptcy for the Larkin Group.


    Once Jaxon left, ise dialed Cloudia, his tone harsh as he immediately questioned, "How many people do you n to send to the hospital for Urs?"


    ise had always been a domineering man, firmly believing in traditional roles-men handle external affairs, while women manage the household.


    To him, if someone in the family was sick and hospitalized, the Larkin family could easily afford the medical expenses. Why did it have to throw the whole family into chaos? ise had been particrly dissatisfied with Cloudia''s behaviortely. His abrupt question made Cloudia freeze for a moment, her breathing faltering. "What do you mean?"


    ise continued, "If Urs''s sick, treat her. Why are you constantly dragging Jaxon into it? Is he a doctor?"


    Cloudia was speechless, her breathing growing heavier.


    ise pressed on, "And about Ste, what on earth are you doing? How are you even acting like a mother?"


    The recent public fallout with Ste, especially with Cloudia''s signed statement, had been magnified across all of Portis City. It was impossible for this not to impact the Larkin Group. Thus, ise was particrly angry about this. Cloudia, feeling cornered and med for everything, retorted, "How am I supposed to manage as a mother? You know exactly what Ste is like. Haven''t you also found her impossible to handle?"