She really didn''t want to go. So, she called Jaxon directly.


    "Is ourpany in as much trouble as your dad said?"


    Jaxon hummed, his voiceden with fatigue.


    Cloudia felt a tightness in her chest upon hearing her son''s exhaustion. "What''s going on?"


    "It''s a mess. We''re in a tight spot. If that onepany doesn''t budge, we''re going to face even bigger problems."


    "Thatpany? The one making Ste money?"


    Jaxon confirmed. "Yeah."


    Cloudia fell silent.


    Right under her nose, Ste was this influential? How had she missed it?


    "Are you sure it''s not just spection? Maybe it has nothing to do with Ste."


    She didn''t want to swallow her pride and approach Ste. If thatpany truly was linked to Ste, she''d have to follow ise''s advice, much as she loathed the thought.


    Thinking of every single time she had to deal with Ste, Cloudia was anything but eager.


    Jaxon growled, "She''s behind it."


    Hearing him, Cloudia felt her heart skip a beat, "Really?"


    "Yeah, that backstabber." Jaxon''s growing anger was evident.


    Cloudia''s mood, already sour, deepened further upon hearing Jaxon''s words over the phone.


    Hanging up, she returned to the hospital room to find Urs looking pale and frail in bed.


    Her hair had thinned significantly, to the point that she avoided mirrors these days. Despite multiple specialist consultations, the prognosis remained grim, necessitating painful chemotherapy sessions for Urs. "Urs, I have to step out for a bit."


    Cloudia couldn''t bear the thought of leaving, especially now. But Ste was causing trouble again. And the mere thought of Ste filled Cloudia with ire. "Mom, are you going to find Star?"


    "Yes, be a good girl, and I''ll be back soon."


    "Okay, go ahead."


    Urs, ever the obedient daughter in


    Cloudia''s presence, internally


    né


    seethed at Ste. Why couldn''t they just drive her out of Portis Cit


    ...


    No sooner had Cloudia left than Urs received another call for money from the same man, her patience finally snapping.


    "Money, money, money! Where would I get the money? I''m nearly dead!"


    With her health failing, thest thing she needed was this added stress, all seemingly tied back to Ste.


    ...


    Meanwhile, at Spring Hill.


    Idris and Jeremy were finalizing a contract when an issue was spotted.


    Jeremy, ever o revis


    immediately ordered revisions.


    During this pause, a waiter discreetly informed Idris, "Thane is here."


    Idris frowned and instructed the waiter to have Thane wait.


    Thane''s unexpected visit likely stemmed from ack of confidence in his son, Yorick, especially given Yorick''s recent reckless actions.


    Idris nced at Jeremy across from him and said, "Mr. Patel, please wait a moment. I need to go see my boss." "Okay." Jeremy nodded.


    Since the deal was already settled on his end, he wasn''t worried about any sudden changes.


    Although the waiter spoke quietly, he heard it-Thane had arrived, but he wasn''t worried at all.


    Right now, not even if Thane or Old Mr. Quarry showed up would make a difference!


    Spotting Ronald with Ste, fresh from the hot springs and wrapping in a towel, Idris approached. "Sir, Thane has arrived." Ronald raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement crossing his face.


    Ste, too, was taken aback. Thane''s personal involvement indicated his utter disappointment in Yorick.


    With Thane present, Yorick wouldn''t be far behind. The encounter promised to be interesting, to say the least.