When Ste was ready to step out the door, Tabitha couldn''t help but notice her limp.


    "Boss, isn''t there anything you can do about that leg? Have you seen a doctor?"


    Ste shrugged it off. "Old injury. It''s nothing serious."


    It really only troubled her when the weather changed. Most of the time, she barely noticed it.


    Doctors? Of course, she''d seen them. Whenever the pain became unbearable, she''d end up in a clinic.


    But aside from some physical therapy, the medications never seemed to help much. Probably just how her body is wired.


    Last night, the pain had jolted her awake, leaving her groggy and disoriented. Yet at some point, it had eased, giving way to warmth that lulled her back to sleep.


    Thinking back, she recalled a strange sensation- cozy, slightly damp, and oddlyforting.


    ***


    Just after giving Tabitha a quick rundown of some work matters, her phone buzzed again.


    Ste assumed it was Ronald calling and answered without looking.


    Before she could even speak, Cloudia''s voice rang out, sharp and usatory.


    "Ste, it''s you, isn''t it?"


    Ste was baffled. "What are you on about?"


    Cloudia was on the warpath. "The mess at Larkin Group... you''re behind it, aren''t you?"


    Ste sighed, realizing what this was about.


    If Larkin Group was in turmoil, the Quarry family would naturally be the first to fall under suspicion. And now, with them apparently cleared, Cloudia had turned her focus on her. Cloudia continued her tirade without waiting for an answer.


    "It was you, wasn''t it? Ste, do you ever think things through? If those guys are really helping you against us, have you ever considered what they might want in return?"


    Her voice quivered with a mix of anger and desperation.


    Cloudia couldn''t shake the suspicion that the men backing Ste''s studio, the ones who had propelled it to sess, had ulterior motives. Were they simply using Ste to take down the Larkin family? Ste scoffed. "What do they want in return? They certainly don''t want your scraps."


    "You..."


    Cloudia was so infuriated that she wanted to tear her lips off.


    Ste continued, "Mrs. Larkin, you seem to be missing the point of the Quarry family''s maneuvers. Do you think it''s just because they disapprove of their future daughter-inw being adopted and prefer the biological daughter?" Cloudia''s breath hitched at the usation, leaving her momentarily speechless.


    Before she could retort, Ste pressed on. "It''s because your family''s mines ran dry. No value left."


    "Shut up!"


    Cloudia lost it. She couldn''t stand hearing that the Larkin family was just a pawn to the Quarry''s, despite their families'' longstanding rtionship.


    Ste seemed to understand Cloudia''s naive hopes. "The Quarry family is the top dog in Portis City. You Larkins held valuable mines, yet why is it that you hold no sway here? Ever wondered?"


    Cloudia couldn''t breathe, her anger boiling over. "What nonsense are you spouting?"


    Since when had theycked stature in Portis City?


    Ste pointed out the painful truth. "If you truly held any real standing in Portis City, then why have you spent years sucking up to thosedies? If you were their equals, shouldn''t they be the ones courting you instead?" Cloudia was livid, her pride wounded by the undeniable truth Steid bare.


    Ste didn''t let up. "Or are you going to tell me those were just friendly get-togethers? If the Larkins were truly on par with the Quarry family, wouldn''t thosedies be flocking to you instead?


    Look at you, all these years trying to break into their circle, and they barely give you the time of day."


    Cloudia was at a loss for words, her frustration boiling over into silence.