Just as they were about to leave together, Ronald''s phone buzzed in his pocket, the screen lighting up with an unknown caller. He nced at it, his expression darkening instantly.


    Gently ruffling Ste''s soft hair with a still tender voice, he said, "You go ahead."


    "Alright." Sensing he had something to handle, Ste nodded and turned to leave.


    Ronald watched as she descended the stairs, waiting for her footsteps to fade before answering the call.


    "Did you find Star?"


    The voice on the other end was smug,ced with arrogance and provocation.


    Ronald''s grip on the phone tightened. A grim aura enveloped him as he coldly retorted, "What''s it to you?"


    "Of course, it concerns me. After all, Star..."


    "Xander Schultz, you better watch your back!"


    Ronald''s voice sliced through the air, cutting off Xander''s words.


    Xander Schultz, Regina Schultz''s brother, was the formidable power behind her influence.


    Years ago, Ste had been forced to leave Ferrond,rgely due to her fear of Xander''s reach.


    Her mother and sister were under his thumb, and Ste feared for their safety. And his threats against Ronald were among the reasons Ste had topromise. Her departure also served to distract Xander, buying Ronald a moment''s reprieve.


    That reprieve, however, turned out to be Xander''s biggest regret. In the past two years, Ronald had dismantled the Schultz family''s empire with a relentless ferocity. Ronald scoffed, "You''ve got the nerve to call me, huh!"


    Xander, undeterred, retorted with a hint of mockery, "It''s not about nerve. I''m genuinely worried about Star."


    Ronald shot back, "Worry about yourself. Mervin Burton isn''t known for ying nice, even with his allies."


    Aligning with such a person was tantamount to consorting with wolves in the dark.


    The mention of Mervin Burton cooled the air on Xander''s end, his yful tone vanishing, reced by a cold, dangerous edge.


    "Call off your dogs!"


    Xander was done beating around the bush, direct in his approach.


    Ronald''s men had been tailing him relentlessly, giving him no quarter. Even his dealings with Mervin Burton hadn''t gone unnoticed. Was this a battle to the death for Ronald?


    Reflecting on the recent ambushes he''d survived, Xander''s tone lost its yfulness, bing more dangerous and icy.


    ...


    Ste wrapped herself warmly as she stepped out of the building, her arms filled with packages. She followed the green path toward the hot springs, guided by the signs. "Ms. Quinn?" Orion''s voice called out from not far away.


    Ste paused and turned toward the sound, spotting Yorick and Orion approaching.


    Upon seeing her, a hint of surprise shed in Yorick''s eyes, followed by his expression turning cold.


    He strode up to Ste and asked, "What are you doing here? Huh, where did you get the news that I wasing?"


    She had been making such a scene


    Yorick nced at Orion, who jumped at his look.


    "I didn''t hear from Ms. Quinn," Orion quickly rified.


    Yorick''s mood soured further as he pressed Ste, "How did you know I was here?" Ste was baffled.


    "What? You think I''m here because I knew you''d be? You should be with Urs, not here questioning me. Where did you get the information that I''m here? Were you the one asking around about me?" she retorted, flipping his usation back at him.


    Yorick''s face darkened at her words, his gaze sharpening.


    Orion, witnessing the exchange, couldn''t help but think Ste had a sharp tongue, giving as good as she got.


    Yorick, through gritted teeth, tried a


    different tack. "Ste, I know you''re


    cunning, but let me make this.


    clear if you tell me who owns the Wave Residence, maybe I''ll O consider..."  en