"I just can''t, okay? I''ve been swamped! You''re the one at home, raising the kids, nurturing them. But when she came back, did you ever really sit down and patiently teach her?"


    Cloudia was at a loss for words.


    Patience? She wanted to be patient, but was she ever given the chance?


    ise was visibly frustrated. "Forget it. You handle the home front for now. Thepany''s in a real mess."


    "How bad is it?"


    The moment Cloudia heard thepany was in trouble, her concern grew.


    ise sighed. "We''re on the brink of bankruptcy- that''s how bad."


    "Is it really that serious?"


    Cloudia felt her heart skip a beat.


    ise continued, "We''ve hit a major snag. Looks like someone''s got it in for us."


    At this point, ise was convinced this wasn''t just a stroke of bad luck.


    "Someone''s targeting Larkin Group? Could it be Quarry Group?"


    "It doesn''t look like it."


    ise was exasperated; some of their partners had no ties to Quarry Group at all.


    Hearing it wasn''t Quarry Group made Cloudia even more anxious. "Could it be something to do with Ste?"


    ise was taken aback. "What did you say?"


    Cloudia spected, "She must have some powerful figure behind her. You know her studio made over seven hundred thousandst year. How could she pull that off without some big shot backing her?" ise frowned deeply at the suggestion.


    Could Ste really be involved?


    ...


    Meanwhile, Ste had just arrived at her studio when her phone rang. It was Ronald, his voice as gentle as ever.


    "Get ready, I''ming to pick you up."


    Ste was puzzled. "Where are we going?"


    "To the hot springs."


    Ste nced outside at the foggy, overcast sky. The idea was tempting- Spring Hill''s hot springs in Portis City were famous for theirfort. But they were quite a distance from the city center, and she couldn''t afford to dy the design project for StarRiver Corp. "I''m busy. Are you trying to distract me?"


    The thought of soaking in the hot springs lingered in her mind. It was especially appealing since her leg had started acting up against night, a recurring issue every winter.


    Ronald chuckled. "Busy with what?"


    "Didn''t I tell youst night? I''m handling a big client''s design."


    ""What client?"


    "StarRiver Corp."


    Ste was taking this project very seriously, especially since the fee was several times the market rate, not to mention the reasonable demands.


    Ronald sounded intrigued. "StarRiver Corp.? I''m pretty tight with their CEO. Want me to ask for an extension for you?"


    Ste was surprised. "You know the CEO of StarRiver Corp.?"


    It seemed Ronald had connections she hadn''t anticipated.


    Ronald confirmed, "Yeah, we''re close."


    Ste opened her mouth to object, but he cut her short. "Just get ready."


    Ste sighed. "Okay, fine."


    She closed herptop, packing it and preparing to leave.


    Considering the distance to Spring Hill, if they went today, they probably wouldn''t be back anytime soon.


    In the car, Idris looked over at Ronald. "Ms. Quinn''s leg should be much better by now."


    After the ident years ago, doctors had rmended regr hot spring baths to alleviate the pain, especially during winter. When they were in Ferrond, Ronald made sure to take her several times each season. Ronald gazed out the window. "She had trouble sleepingst night; her leg was hurting again. The bad weather often made her pain worse."


    Idris sighed, realizing the severity of lingering injuries.